Abstract:
In a method for manufacturing a micromechanical membrane structure, a doped area is created in the front side of a silicon substrate, the depth of which doped area corresponds to the intended membrane thickness, and the lateral extent of which doped area covers at least the intended membrane surface area. In addition, in a DRIE (deep reactive ion etching) process applied to the back side of the silicon substrate, a cavity is created beneath the doped area, which DRIE process is aborted before the cavity reaches the doped area. The cavity is then deepened in a KOH etching process in which the doped substrate area functions as an etch stop, so that the doped substrate area remains as a basic membrane over the cavity.
Abstract:
Methods for fabrication of high aspect ratio micropillars and nanopillars are described. Use of alumina as an etch mask for the fabrication methods is also described. The resulting micropillars and nanopillars are analyzed and a characterization of the etch mask is provided.
Abstract:
The invention relates to an semi-conductor device comprising a first surface and neighboring first and second electric elements arranged on the first surface, in which each of the first and second elements extends from the first surface in a first direction, the first element having a cross section substantially perpendicular to the first direction and a sidewall surface extending at least partially in the first direction, wherein the sidewall surface comprises a first section and a second section adjoining the first section along a line extending substantially parallel to the first direction, wherein the first and second sections are placed at an angle with respect to each other for providing an inner corner wherein the sidewall surface at the inner corner is, at least partially, arranged at a constant distance R from a facing part of the second element for providing a mechanical reinforcement structure at the inner corner.
Abstract:
A method of etching backside ink supply channels for an inkjet printhead. The method includes the steps of: (a) attaching a frontside of the printhead to a handle wafer; (b) etching the backside of the printhead using an anisotropic DRIE process to form a plurality of ink supply channels, the DRIE process including alternating etching and passivation steps, the passivation steps depositing a polymeric coating on sidewalls of the ink supply channels; and (c) removing the polymeric coating by etching the backside of the printhead in a biased plasma etching chamber using an O2 plasma. The chamber temperature is in the range of 90 to 180° C.
Abstract:
A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device having a movable portion includes the steps of: forming a trench on a semiconductor layer so that the trench reaches an insulation layer; and forming a movable portion by etching a sidewall of the trench so that the semiconductor layer is separated from the insulation layer. The steps of forming the trench and forming the movable portion are performed by a reactive ion etching method. The insulation layer disposed on the bottom of the trench is prevented from charging positively in the step of forming the trench. The insulation layer disposed on the bottom of the trench is charged positively in the step of forming the movable portion.
Abstract:
According to the invention, a substrate (2) contained in an enclosure (1) containing an atmosphere (5) that is maintained at low pressure by a device (6, 7) for generating a vacuum is subjected to plasma etching. Plasma generation means (8) generate a plasma (9) which acts on the surface (2a) of the substrate (2). The etching method subjects the substrate (2) to an alternating succession of steps comprising: an attack step using a plasma of etching gas coming from an etching gas source (19), a second step of passivation by means of a plasma of passivation gas coming from a passivation gas source (20), and a pulse step of selective depassivation by the action of a plasma of a cleaning gas coming from a cleaning gas source (21) and serving to remove the polymer from the bottom zones of cavities (2b) more effectively than does the etching gas. This makes it possible to make cavities (2b) having an aspect ratio greater than 30, and to do so at higher speed, with good selectivity relative to the mask protecting the substrate (2).
Abstract:
A method is described for producing surface micromechanical structures having a high aspect ratio, a sacrificial layer being provided between a substrate and a function layer, trenches being provided by a plasma etching process in the function layer, at least some of these trenches exposing surface regions of the sacrificial layer. To increase the aspect ratio of the trenches, an additional layer is deposited on the side walls of the trenches in at least some sections, but not on the exposed surface regions of the sacrificial layer. In addition, a sensor is described, in particular an acceleration sensor or a rotational rate sensor.
Abstract:
A single mask, low temperature reactive ion etching process for fabricating high aspect ratio, released single crystal microelectromechanical structures independently of crystal orientation.
Abstract:
The present disclosure provides an etching method that includes a resist pattern-forming step of forming a resist layer on a target object, the resist layer being formed of a resin, the resist layer having a resist pattern; an etching step of etching the target object via the resist layer having the resist pattern; and a resist protective film-forming step of forming a resist protective film on the resist layer. The etching step is repetitively carried out multiple times. A processing gas, used in the resist protective film-forming step, includes a gas capable of forming SixOyαz; wherein a is any one of F, Cl, H, and CkHl; and each of x, y, z, k, is a selected non-zero value. After the etching steps are repetitively carried out multiple times, the resist protective film-forming step is performed.
Abstract:
A sensor includes a sensor substrate, and an upper lid substrate joined to an upper surface of the sensor substrate. The sensor substrate includes a fixed part, a deformable beam connected to the fixed part, and a weight connected to the beam. The weight is movable relative to the fixed part. The upper lid substrate includes a first part containing silicon and a second part joined to the first part and containing glass. The first part includes a projection protruding toward the sensor substrate relative to the second part. The sensor has high accuracy or high reliability.