Abstract:
Methods and apparatus for forming MEMS devices. An apparatus includes at least a portion of a semiconductor substrate having a first thickness and patterned to form a moveable mass; a moving sense electrode forming the first plate of a first capacitance; at least one anchor patterned from the semiconductor substrate and having a portion that forms the second plate of the first capacitance and spaced by a first gap from the first plate; a layer of semiconductor material of a second thickness patterned to form a first electrode forming a first plate of a second capacitance and further patterned to form a second electrode overlying the at least one anchor and forming a second plate spaced by a second gap that is less than the first gap; wherein a total capacitance is formed that is the sum of the first capacitance and the second capacitance. Methods are disclosed.
Abstract:
Semiconductor devices and fabrication methods are provided. In a semiconductor device, a semiconductor substrate includes a first electrode layer having a top surface coplanar with a top surface of the semiconductor substrate. A sacrificial layer is formed on the semiconductor substrate and the first electrode layer. A first mask layer made of a conductive material is formed on the sacrificial layer. The first mask layer and the sacrificial layer are etched until a surface of the first electrode layer is exposed to form openings through the first mask layer and the sacrificial layer. A cleaning process is performed to remove etch byproducts adhered to a surface of the first mask layer and adhered to sidewalls and bottom surfaces of the openings. Conductive plugs are formed in the openings after the cleaning process.
Abstract:
A hollow structure is manufactured by preparing a lower structure which includes a concave portion, depositing a sacrifice film composed of an organic film on the lower structure by a vapor deposition polymerization method to bury the concave portion with the sacrifice film, removing an unnecessary portion of the sacrifice film, forming an upper structure on the sacrifice film with the unnecessary portion removed, and forming an air gap between the lower structure and the upper structure by removing the sacrifice film.
Abstract:
Micro-Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS) structures, methods of manufacture and design structures are disclosed. The method includes forming a Micro-Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS) beam structure by venting both tungsten material and silicon material above and below the MEMS beam to form an upper cavity above the MEMS beam and a lower cavity structure below the MEMS beam.
Abstract:
A MEMS anti-phase vibratory gyroscope includes two measurement masses with a top cap and a bottom cap each coupled with a respective measurement mass. The measurement masses are oppositely coupled with each other in the vertical direction. Each measurement mass includes an outer frame, an inner frame located within the outer frame, and a mass located within the inner frame. The two measurement masses are coupled with each other through the outer frame. The inner frame is coupled with the outer frame by a plurality of first elastic beams. The mass is coupled with the inner frame by a plurality of second elastic beams. A comb coupling structure is provided along opposite sides of the outer frame and the inner frame. The two masses vibrate toward the opposite direction, and the comb coupling structure measures the angular velocity of rotation.
Abstract:
The present disclosure relates to method of forming a MEMS device that mitigates the above mentioned difficulties. In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a method of forming a MEMS device, which forms one or more cavities within a first side of a carrier substrate. The first side of the carrier substrate is then bonded to a dielectric layer disposed on a micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) substrate, and the MEMS substrate is subsequently patterned to define a soft mechanical structure over the one or more cavities. The dielectric layer is then selectively removed, using a dry etching process, to release the one or more soft mechanical structures. A CMOS substrate is bonded to a second side of the MEMS substrate, by way of a bonding structure disposed between the CMOS substrate and the MEMS substrate, using a low-temperature bonding process.
Abstract:
A mirror device includes a frame body, a mirror configured to tilt about a Y-axis with respect to the frame body, a fixed inner comb electrode including a plurality of electrode fingers arranged in the arrangement direction along the Y-axis and provided at the frame body, and a movable inner comb electrode including a plurality of electrode fingers arranged in the arrangement direction and provided at the mirror, the electrodes fingers of the fixed inner comb electrode and the movable inner comb electrode being alternately arranged. The mirror includes a mirror body and an extension extending from the mirror body. Some of the electrode fingers of the movable inner comb electrode are provided at the mirror body, and another electrode fingers of the movable inner comb electrode are provided at the extension.
Abstract:
MEMS switches and methods of manufacturing MEMS switches is provided. The MEMS switch having at least two cantilevered electrodes having ends which overlap and which are structured and operable to contact one another upon an application of a voltage by at least one fixed electrode.
Abstract:
A fabrication method of a semiconductor piece includes forming a groove that has a first groove portion, and a second groove portion which is a groove portion formed to communicate with a lower part of the first groove portion and extends toward a lower part at a steeper angle than an angle of the first groove portion, has a shape without an angle portion between the first groove portion and the second groove portion, is positioned on the front side, and is formed by dry etching; affixing a retention member including an adhesive layer to the surface in which the groove on the front side is formed; thinning the substrate from the back side of the substrate in a state in which the retention member is affixed; and removing the retention member from the surface after the thinning.
Abstract:
Micro-Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS) structures, methods of manufacture and design structures are disclosed. The method includes forming a Micro-Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS) beam structure by venting both tungsten material and silicon material above and below the MEMS beam to form an upper cavity above the MEMS beam and a lower cavity structure below the MEMS beam.