Abstract:
The microelectromechanical component has a semiconductor substrate (1), which has a cavity (2a) formed in the semiconductor substrate. The cavity is covered by a reversibly deformable membrane (2). A sensor (17) for detecting a deformation of the membrane (2) is formed within the region of the membrane (2). A test actuator (28, 29, 30) for deforming the membrane (2) for testing purposes is also arranged within the region of the membrane (2). Finally, the microelectromechanical component has an evaluation and activation unit (41) connected to the sensor (17) and the test actuator (28, 29, 30) for activating the test actuator (28, 29, 30) in order to deform the membrane (2) as a test and for evaluating a measurement signal of the sensor (17) as a sensor detection of a deformation of the membrane (2) as a result of the activation of the test actuator (28, 29, 30).
Abstract:
A method for fabricating a sensor is disclosed that in one embodiment bonds an etched semiconductor substrate wafer to an etched device wafer comprising a double silicon on insulator wafer to create a suspended structure, the flexure of which is sensed by an embedded piezoresistive sensor element. In one embodiment the sensor measures acceleration. In other embodiments the sensor measures pressure.
Abstract:
This document discusses, among other things, an apparatus including a silicon die including a vibratory diaphragm, the die having a silicon die top opposite a silicon die bottom, with a top silicon die port extending from the silicon die top through the silicon die to a top of the vibratory diaphragm, and with a bottom silicon die port extending from the silicon die bottom to a bottom of the vibratory diaphragm, wherein the bottom silicon die port has a cross sectional area that is larger than a cross-sectional area of the top silicon die port, a capacitor electrode disposed along a bottom of the silicon die, across the bottom silicon die port, the capacitor electrode including a first signal generation portion that is coextensive with the top silicon die port, and a second signal generation portion surrounding the first portion.
Abstract:
A micromechanical component having a conductive substrate, a first conductive layer provided above the substrate and that forms, above a cavity provided in the substrate, an elastically deflectable diaphragm region of monocrystalline silicon and an adjacent peripheral region, a circuit trace level provided above the first conductive layer in a manner that is electrically insulated from the first conductive layer, the circuit trace level having above the diaphragm region a first electrode region and having above the peripheral region a first connection region electrically connected to the same, and a second conductive layer that is provided above the circuit trace level, the second conductive layer having above the diaphragm region a second electrode region that is electrically insulated from the first electrode region, and having above the peripheral region a second connection region electrically insulated from the second electrode region and electrically connected to the first connection region. Also provided is a suitable production method.
Abstract:
A method of fabricating a micro-electrical-mechanical system (MEMS) transducer comprises the steps of forming a membrane (5) on a substrate (3), and forming a back-volume in the substrate. The step of forming a back-volume in the substrate comprises the steps of forming a first back-volume portion (7a) and a second back-volume portion (7b), the first back-volume portion (7a) being separated from the second back-volume portion (7b) by a step in a sidewall of the back-volume. The cross-sectional area of the second back-volume portion (7b) can be made greater than the cross-sectional area of the membrane (5), thereby enabling the back-volume to be increased without being constrained by the cross-sectional area of the membrane (5). The back-volume may comprise a third back-volume portion. The third back-volume portion enables the effective diameter of the membrane to be formed more accurately.
Abstract:
A method for manufacturing a micromechanical component is described, the micromechanical component having a medium. The medium has settable and changeable volume-elastic properties and generally completely encloses a sensor module and/or a module housing. The medium preferably has a low-pass response.
Abstract:
A capacitive differential pressure sensor is described which has a simple configuration, and which provides reliable measuring results even in corrosive measuring environments. The sensor element for capacitively measuring differential pressure includes a sensor diaphragm which is implemented in a layered configuration on a semiconductor substrate and spans a cavern. A pressure connection opens into the cavern. The sensor element also includes a measuring capacitor which has a movable electrode on the sensor diaphragm, and a stationary counter electrode which is situated on the base of the cavern, opposite from the movable electrode. According to the sensor, the cavern is filled with a dielectric fluid.
Abstract:
In a method of manufacturing a semiconductor integrated circuit device having an MEMS element over a single semiconductor chip, the movable part of the MEMS element is fixed before the formation of a rewiring. After formation of the rewiring, the wafer is diced. Then, the movable part of the MEMS element is released by etching the wafer.
Abstract:
A capacitive pressure sensor includes: a semiconductor substrate having a reference pressure chamber formed therein; a diaphragm which is formed in a front surface of the semiconductor substrate and has a ring-like peripheral through hole penetrating between the front surface of the semiconductor substrate and the reference pressure chamber and defining an upper electrode and a plurality of central through holes; a peripheral insulating layer which fills the peripheral through hole and electrically isolates the upper electrode from other portions of the semiconductor substrate; and a central insulating layer which fills the central through holes.
Abstract:
A method is described for manufacturing a component having a through-connection. The method includes providing a substrate; forming a trench structure in the substrate, a substrate area which is completely surrounded by the trench structure being produced; forming a closing layer for closing off the trench structure, a cavity girded by the closing layer being formed in the area of the trench structure; removing substrate material from the substrate area surrounded by the closed-off trench structure; and at least partially filling the substrate area surrounded by the closed-off trench structure with a metallic material. A component having a through-connection is also described.