Abstract:
A method of forming a MEMS device includes forming a sacrificial layer over a substrate. The method further includes forming a metal layer over the sacrificial layer and forming a protection layer overlying the metal layer. The method further includes etching the protection layer and the metal layer to form a structure having a remaining portion of the protection layer formed over a remaining portion of the metal layer. The method further includes etching the sacrificial layer to form a movable portion of the MEMS device, wherein the remaining portion of the protection layer protects the remaining portion of the metal layer during the etching of the sacrificial layer to form the movable portion of the MEMS device.
Abstract:
A method of protecting a substrate during fabrication of semiconductor, MEMS, or biotechnology devices. The method includes application of a protective thin film which typically has a thickness ranging from about 3 Å to about 1,000 Å, wherein precursor materials used to deposit the protective thin film are organic-based precursors which include at least one fluorine-comprising functional group at one end of a carbon back bone and at least one functional bonding group at the opposite end of a carbon backbone, and wherein the carbon backbone ranges in length from 4 carbons through about 12 carbons. In many applications at least a portion of the protective thin film is removed during fabrication of the devices.
Abstract:
System and method for forming a structure including a MEMS device structure. In order to prevent warpage of a substrate arising from curing process for a sacrificial material (such as a photoresist), and from subsequent high temperature process steps, an improved sacrificial material comprises (i) a polymer and (ii) a foaming agent or special function group. The structure can be formed by forming a trench in a substrate and filling the trench with a sacrificial material. The sacrificial material includes (i) a polymer and (ii) a foaming agent or special function group. After further process steps are completed, the sacrificial material is removed from the trench.
Abstract:
New compositions and methods of using those compositions as protective layers during the production of semiconductor and MEMS devices are provided. The compositions comprise a cycloolefin copolymer dispersed or dissolved in a solvent system, and can be used to form layers that protect a substrate during acid etching and other processing and handling. The protective layer can be photosensitive or non-photosensitive, and can be used with or without a primer layer beneath the protective layer. Preferred primer layers comprise a basic polymer in a solvent system.
Abstract:
A wafer level sensing package and manufacturing process thereof are described. The process includes providing a wafer having sensing chips, in which each sensing chip has a sensing area and pads; forming a stress release layer on a wafer surface; cladding a photoresist layer on the stress release layer; patterning the photoresist layer to expose the pads and a portion of the stress release layer, without exposing opening areas of the sensing areas; forming a conductive metal layer of re-distributed pads on the portion of the stress release layer exposed by the photoresist layer; removing the photoresist layer; forming a re-cladding photoresist layer on the stress release layer and the conductive metal layer; forming holes in the re-cladding photoresist layer above the re-distributed pad area; and forming conductive bumps in the holes to electrically connect to the conductive metal layer.
Abstract:
A thin silicon-rich nitride film (e.g., having a thickness in the range of around 100A to 10000A) deposited using low-pressure chemical vapor deposition (LPCVD) is used for etch stop during vapor HF etching in various MEMS wafer fabrication processes and devices. The LPCVD silicon-rich nitride film may replace, or be used in combination with, a LPCVD stoichiometric nitride layer in many existing MEMS fabrication processes and devices. The LPCVD silicon-rich nitride film is deposited at high temperatures (e.g., typically around 650-900 degrees C.). Such a LPCVD silicon-rich nitride film generally has enhanced etch selectivity to vapor HF and other harsh chemical environments compared to stoichiometric silicon nitride and therefore a thinner layer typically can be used as an embedded etch stop layer in various MEMS wafer fabrication processes and devices and particularly for vapor HF etching processes, saving time and money in the fabrication process.
Abstract:
Prior to dicing, a volatile protective agent is applied to at least the face of the substrate in which the devices are fabricated. Then the devices are separated by dicing. After dicing, the surface of the volatile protective agent is cleaned, and then the volatile protective agent is evaporated.
Abstract:
First and second sacrificial materials are deposited on a substrate. The first and second patterns are respectively formed in the first and second sacrificial materials. The first pattern made from the first sacrificial material is arranged on the second pattern made from a second sacrificial material. The first pattern leaves an area of predefined width free on the periphery of a top surface of the second pattern. The active layer covers at least the whole of the side walls of the first and second patterns and said predefined area of the second pattern. The active area is patterned so as to allow access to the first sacrificial material. The first and second sacrificial materials are selectively removed forming a mobile structure comprising a free area secured to the substrate by a securing area.
Abstract:
A wafer level sensing package and manufacturing process thereof are described. The process includes providing a wafer having sensing chips, in which each sensing chip has a sensing area and pads; forming a stress release layer on a wafer surface; cladding a photoresist layer on the stress release layer; patterning the photoresist layer to expose the pads and a portion of the stress release layer, without exposing opening areas of the sensing areas; forming a conductive metal layer of re-distributed pads on the portion of the stress release layer exposed by the photoresist layer; removing the photoresist layer; forming a re-cladding photoresist layer on the stress release layer and the conductive metal layer; forming holes in the re-cladding photoresist layer above the re-distributed pad area; and forming conductive bumps in the holes to electrically connect to the conductive metal layer.
Abstract:
A microelectromechanical structure is formed by depositing sacrificial and structural material over a substrate to form a structural layer on a component electrically attached with the substrate. The galvanic potential of the structural layer is greater than the galvanic potential of the component. At least a portion of the structural material is covered with a protective material that has a galvanic potential less than or equal to the galvanic potential of the component. The sacrificial material is removed with a release solution. At least one of the protective material and release solution is surfactanated, the surfactant functionalizing a surface of the component.