Abstract:
Trilayered Beam MEMS Device and Related Methods. According to one embodiment, a method for fabricating a trilayered beam is provided. The method can include depositing a sacrificial layer on a substrate and depositing a first conductive layer on the sacrificial layer. The method can also include forming a first conductive microstructure by removing a portion of the first conductive layer. Furthermore, the method can include depositing a structural layer on the first conductive microstructure, the sacrificial layer, and the substrate and forming a via through the structural layer to the first conductive microstructure. Still furthermore, the method can include the following: depositing a second conductive layer on the structural layer and in the via; forming a second conductive microstructure by removing a portion of the second conductive layer, wherein the second conductive microstructure electrically communicates with the first conductive microstructure through the via; and removing a sufficient amount of the sacrificial layer so as to separate the first conductive microstructure from the substrate, wherein the structural layer is supported by the substrate at a first end and is freely suspended above the substrate at an opposing second end.
Abstract:
A method of forming air gaps within a solid structure is provided. In this method, a sacrificial material is covered by an overlayer. The sacrificial material is then removed through the overlayer to leave an air gap. Such air gaps are particularly useful as insulation between metal lines in an electronic device such as an electrical interconnect structure. Structures containing air gaps are also provided.
Abstract:
Polymers, methods of use thereof, and methods of decomposition thereof, are provided. One exemplary polymer, among others, includes, a photodefinable polymer having a sacrificial polymer and a photoinitiator.
Abstract:
Trilayered Beam MEMS Device and Related Methods. According to one embodiment, a method for fabricating a trilayered beam is provided. The method can include depositing a sacrificial layer on a substrate and depositing a first conductive layer on the sacrificial layer. The method can also include forming a first conductive microstructure by removing a portion of the first conductive layer. Furthermore, the method can include depositing a structural layer on the first conductive microstructure, the sacrificial layer, and the substrate and forming a via through the structural layer to the first conductive microstructure. Still furthermore, the method can include the following: depositing a second conductive layer on the structural layer and in the via; forming a second conductive microstructure by removing a portion of the second conductive layer, wherein the second conductive microstructure electrically communicates with the first conductive microstructure through the via; and removing a sufficient amount of the sacrificial layer so as to separate the first conductive microstructure from the substrate, wherein the structural layer is supported by the substrate at a first end and is freely suspended above the substrate at an opposing second end.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a fabrication process relating to a fabrication process for manufacture of micro-electromechanical (MEM) devices such as cantilever supported beams. This fabrication process requires only two lithographic masking steps and offers moveable electromechanical devices with high electrical isolation. A preferred embodiment of the process uses electrically insulating glass substrate as the carrier substrate and single crystal silicon as the MEM component material. The process further includes deposition of an optional layer of insulating material such as silicon dioxide on top of a layer of doped silicon grown on a silicon substrate. The silicon dioxide is epoxy bonded to the glass substrate to create a silicon-silicon dioxide-epoxy-glass structure. The silicon is patterned using anisotropic plasma dry etching techniques. A second patterning then follows to pattern the silicon dioxide layer and an oxygen plasma etch is performed to undercut the epoxy film and to release the silicon MEM component. This two-mask process provides single crystal silicon MEMs with electrically isolated MEM component. Retaining silicon dioxide insulating material in selected areas mechanically supports the MEM component.
Abstract:
A micro-scale interconnect device with internal heat spreader and method for fabricating same. The device includes first and second arrays of generally coplanar electrical communication lines. The first array is disposed generally along a first plane, and the second array is disposed generally along a second plane spaced from the first plane. The arrays are electrically isolated from each other. Embedded within the interconnect device is a heat spreader element. The heat spreader element comprises a dielectric material disposed in thermal contact with at least one of the arrays, and a layer of thermally conductive material embedded in the dielectric material. The device is fabricated by forming layers of electrically conductive, dielectric, and thermally conductive materials on a substrate. The layers are arranged to enable heat energy given off by current-carrying communication lines to be transferred away from the communication lines.
Abstract:
MEMS Device Having Contact and Standoff Bumps and Related Methods. According to one embodiment, a movable MEMS component suspended over a substrate is provided. The component can include a structural layer having a movable electrode separated from a substrate by a gap. The component can also include at least one standoff bump attached to the structural layer and extending into the gap for preventing contact of the movable electrode with conductive material when the component moves.
Abstract:
A forming tool with one or more embossing tooth, and preferably, a plurality of such embossing teeth, arranged on a substantially planar substrate, is disclosed. Each embossing tooth is configured for forming a sacrificial layer to provide a contoured surface for forming a microelectronic spring structure. Each embossing tooth has a protruding area corresponding to a base of a microelectronic spring, and a sloped portion corresponding to a beam contour of a microelectronic spring. Numerous methods for making a forming tool are also disclosed. The methods include a material removal method, a molding method, a repetitive-stamping method, tang-bending methods, and segment-assembly methods.
Abstract:
A micro-electro-mechanical device and method of manufacture therefore with a suspended structure formed from mono-crystalline silicon, bonded to a substrate wafer with an organic adhesive layer serving as support and spacer and the rest of the organic adhesive layer serving as a sacrificial layer, which is removed by a dry etch means. Said substrate wafer may contain integrated circuits for sensing and controlling the device.
Abstract:
A micro-scale gap fabrication process using a dry releasable dendritic material sacrificial layer. The fabrication process produces micro-scale gaps, such as those required between a suspended microstructure and an opposing surface in MEMS. The dendritic sacrificial layer is releasable by heating the dendritic material past its decomposition point after forming the microstructure. The sacrificial layer may be applied to a wafer, for example, by spin coating a solution including the dissolved dendritic material. The sacrificial layer, after being formed, may be patterned and prepared for accepting structural material for the microstructure. After a desired microstructure or microstructures are formed around the sacrificial layer, the layer is dry releasable by heating.