Abstract:
The system includes a microfabricated electrochemical biosensor for detecting the presence and/or quantity of the target analyte in the sample reagent. The biosensor includes a substrate and at least two electrically conductive electrodes. Each of the electrical conductive electrodes consists of a single layer of an electrically conductive material. The electrodes can be fabricated on the substrate by integrated circuit technology.
Abstract:
The tiltable-body apparatus including a frame member, a tiltable body, and a pair of torsion springs having a twisting longitudinal axis. The torsion springs are disposed along the twisting longitudinal axis opposingly with the tiltable body being interposed, support the tiltable body flexibly and rotatably about the twisting longitudinal axis relative to the frame member, and include a plurality of planar portions, compliant directions of which intersect each other when viewed along a direction of the twisting longitudinal axis. A center of gravity of the tiltable body is positioned on the twisting longitudinal axis of the torsion springs.
Abstract:
A method for producing narrow trenches in semiconductor devices. The narrow trenches are formed by chemically changing the properties of a first dielectric layer locally, such that the side walls of a patterned hole in the first dielectric layer is converted locally and becomes etchable by a first etching substance. Subsequently a second dielectric material is deposited in the patterned structure and the damaged part of the first dielectric material is removed such that small trenches are obtained.
Abstract:
The device of the present invention facilitates engaging mating elements, such as actuators used in disc drives, with a pattern on the device. The improved device includes arcuate edges between at least one of the sidewalls in the pattern and the surface of the device. The arcuate edges minimize some of the fracturing of the device that typically occurs when a mating element is inserted on or into the device. The present invention also relates to a method of fabricating a device. The method comprises positioning a mask in the form of a pattern relative to the device, and then etching the pattern into a surface on the device to form at least one sidewall and an arcuate edge such that the arcuate edge extends between the surface on the device and one of the sidewalls.
Abstract:
A method for suspending a movable structure form a support structure wherein first and second flat and thin arcuately shaped flexures are formed having spaced apart substantially planar and parallel opposing surfaces, each of the first and second flexures being structured for connection between a support structure and a movable structure to be suspended from the support structure and being aligned along a common axis of rotation between the support structure and the movable structure.
Abstract:
A micromachined structure, comprising: a substarte; a first wet etched pit disposed in the substrate; a second wet etched pit disposed in the substrate, the second pit extending into the substrate a greater depth than the first pit; and a dry pit disposed between, and adjacent to, the first and second pits. Also disclosed is a micromachined substrate comprising: a wet etched pit; and a dry-etched hole disposed in the wet etched pit, wherein the dry hole extends through the substrate.
Abstract:
A method for producing a microsystem that has, situated on a substrate, a first functional layer that includes a conductive area and a sublayer. Situated on the first functional layer is a second mechanical functional layer, which is first initially applied onto a sacrificial layer situated and structured on the first functional layer. In addition, a layer is situated on the side of the sublayer facing away from the conductive area. The layer constitutes a protective layer on the first functional layer that acts in areas during a sacrificial layer etching process so that during removal of the sacrificial layer no etching of the areas of the first functional layer covered by the protective layer occurs, and that in the region of the areas of the first functional layer implemented without the protective layer the sublayer is removed essentially selectively to the conductive area at the same time as the sacrificial layer. Further, a method is described for producing integrated microsystems having silicon-germanium functional layers, sacrificial layers containing germanium, and open metal surfaces. The sacrificial layers containing germanium are at least partially removed in an etching solution, a pH value of the etching solution being kept at least approximately neutral during the etching procedure using a buffer.
Abstract:
An etching method, such as for forming a micromechanical device, is disclosed. One embodiment of the method is for releasing a micromechanical structure, comprising, providing a substrate; providing a sacrificial layer directly or indirectly on the substrate; providing one or more micromechanical structural layers on the sacrificial layer; performing a first etch to remove a portion of the sacrificial layer, the first etch comprising providing an etchant gas and energizing the etchant gas so as to allow the etchant gas to physically, or chemically and physically, remove the portion of the sacrificial layer; performing a second etch to remove additional sacrificial material in the sacrificial layer, the second etch comprising providing a gas that chemically but not physically etches the additional sacrificial material. Another embodiment of the method is for etching a silicon material on or within a substrate, comprising: performing a first etch to remove a portion of the silicon, the first etch comprising providing an etchant gas and energizing the etchant gas so as to allow the etchant gas to physically, or chemically and physically, remove the portion of silicon; performing a second etch to remove additional silicon, the second etch comprising providing an etchant gas that chemically but not physically etches the additional silicon.
Abstract:
A method of bulk manufacturing SiC sensors is disclosed and claimed. Materials other than SiC may be used as the substrate material. Sensors requiring that the SiC substrate be pierced are also disclosed and claimed. A process flow reversal is employed whereby the metallization is applied first before the recesses are etched into or through the wafer. Aluminum is deposited on the entire planar surface of the metallization. Photoresist is spun onto the substantially planar surface of the Aluminum which is subsequently masked (and developed and removed). Unwanted Aluminum is etched with aqueous TMAH and subsequently the metallization is dry etched. Photoresist is spun onto the still substantially planar surface of Aluminum and oxide and then masked (and developed and removed) leaving the unimidized photoresist behind. Next, ITO is applied over the still substantially planar surface of Aluminum, oxide and unimidized photoresist. Unimidized and exposed photoresist and ITO directly above it are removed with Acetone. Next, deep reactive ion etching attacks exposed oxide not protected by ITO. Finally, hot phosphoric acid removes the Al and ITO enabling wires to connect with the metallization. The back side of the SiC wafer may be also be etched.
Abstract:
A gradational etching method for high density wafer production. The gradational etching method acts on a substrate having a first passivation layer and a second passivation layer on a top surface and a bottom surface, respectively, of the substrate. A first etching process is performed to simultaneously etch the substrate and the first passivation layer to remove the first passivation layer. Finally, a second etching process is performed to etch the substrate to a designated depth that is used to control the thickness of the wafer after the second etching process.