Abstract:
Methods and apparatus are provided for controlling a depth of a cavity between two layers of a light modulating device. A method of making a light modulating device includes providing a substrate, forming a sacrificial layer over at least a portion of the substrate, forming a reflective layer over at least a portion of the sacrificial layer, and forming one or more flexure controllers over the substrate, the flexure controllers configured so as to operably support the reflective layer and to form cavities, upon removal of the sacrificial layer, of a depth measurably different than the thickness of the sacrificial layer, wherein the depth is measured perpendicular to the substrate.
Abstract:
Described herein is the use of a diffusion barrier layer between metallic layers in MEMS devices. The diffusion barrier layer prevents mixing of the two metals, which can alter desired physical characteristics and complicate processing. In one example, the diffusion barrier layer may be used as part of a movable reflective structure in interferometric modulators.
Abstract:
A structure of thermal stress compensation at least comprises a substrate, a first film and a second film. The substrate has a first positive coefficient of thermal expansion. The first film having a second positive coefficient of thermal expansion is over the substrate. The second film having a third negative coefficient of thermal expansion is over the substrate.
Abstract:
A microelectromechanical (MEM) apparatus is disclosed which includes one or more tensile-stressed actuators that are coupled through flexures to a stage on a substrate. The tensile-stressed actuators, which can be formed from tensile-stressed tungsten or silicon nitride, initially raise the stage above the substrate without any applied electrical voltage, and can then be used to control the height or tilt angle of the stage. An electrostatic actuator can also be used in combination with each tensile-stressed actuator. The MEM apparatus has applications for forming piston micromirrors or tiltable micromirrors and independently addressable arrays of such devices.
Abstract:
A thin film made of an amorphous material having a supercooled liquid phase region is formed on a substrate. Then, the thin film is heated to a temperature within the supercooled liquid phase region and is deformed by its weight, mechanical external force, electrostatic external force or the like, thereby to form a thin film-structure. Thereafter, the thin film-structure is cooled down to room temperature, which results in the prevention of the thin film's deformation.
Abstract:
A method for manufacturing a semiconductor physical quantity sensor including a support substrate, a movable electrode, a fixed electrode is provided. The method includes the steps of: preparing a multi-layered substrate; forming a compression stress layer on a part of a surface of the semiconductor layer; forming a trench in the semiconductor layer; and releasing the movable electrode from the substrate by removing the insulation film. In the step of releasing, the part of the semiconductor layer, on which the compression stress layer is disposed, is cambered by the compression stress toward a direction apart from the substrate.
Abstract:
A method of fabricating a silicon-based microstructure is disclosed, which involves depositing electrically conductive amorphous silicon doped with first and second dopants to produce a structure having a residual mechanical stress of less than +/=100 Mpa. The dopants can either be deposited in successive layers to produce a laminated structure with a residual mechanical stress of less than +/=100 Mpa or simultaneously to produce a laminated structure having a mechanical stress of less than +/=100 Mpa.
Abstract:
A method for controlling bow in wafers which utilize doped layers is described. The method includes depositing a silicon-germanium layer onto a substrate, depositing an undoped buffer layer onto the silicon-germanium layer, and depositing a silicon-boron layer onto the undoped layer.
Abstract:
A microelectromechanical device and a method for producing it having at least one layer on a substrate, in particular a thermoelectric layer on a substrate, the thermal expansion coefficient of the at least one layer and the thermal expansion coefficient of the substrate differing greatly. The at least one layer is coupled to at least one stress reduction means for the targeted reduction of lateral mechanical stresses present in the layer. This achieves a stress-free layer or enables stress-free growth.
Abstract:
A micro-electro-mechanical (MEM) device and an electronic device are fabricated on a common substrate by fabricating the electronic device comprising a plurality of electronic components on the common substrate, depositing a thermally stable interconnect layer on the electronic device, encapsulating the interconnected electronic device with a protective layer, forming a sacrificial layer over the protective layer, opening holes in the sacrificial layer and the protective layer to allow the connection of the MEM device to the electronic device, fabricating the MEM device by depositing and patterning at least one layer of amorphous silicon, and removing at least a portion of the sacrificial layer. In this way, the MEM device can be fabricated after the electronic device on the same substrate.