Abstract:
Techniques are described herein that perform pressure sensing using pressure sensor(s) that include deformable pressure vessel(s). A pressure vessel is an object that has a cross section that defines a void. A deformable pressure vessel is a pressure vessel that has at least one curved portion that is configured to structurally deform (e.g., bend, shear, elongate, etc.) based on a pressure difference between a cavity pressure in a cavity in which at least a portion of the pressure vessel is suspended and a vessel pressure in the pressure vessel.
Abstract:
Techniques are described herein that perform pressure sensing using pressure sensor(s) that include deformable pressure vessel(s). A pressure vessel is an object that has a cross section that defines a void. A deformable pressure vessel is a pressure vessel that has at least one curved portion that is configured to structurally deform (e.g., bend, shear, elongate, etc.) based on a pressure difference between a cavity pressure in a cavity in which at least a portion of the pressure vessel is suspended and a vessel pressure in the pressure vessel.
Abstract:
A wafer for use in a MEMS device having two doped layers surrounding an undoped layer of silicon is described. By providing two doped layers around an undoped core, the stress in the lattice structure of the silicon is reduced as compared to a solidly doped layer. Thus, problems associated with warping and bowing are reduced. The wafer may have a pattered oxide layer to pattern the deep reactive ion etch. A first deep reactive ion etch creates trenches in the layers. The walls of the trenches are doped with boron atoms. A second deep reactive ion etch removes the bottom walls of the trenches. The wafer is separated from the silicon substrate and bonded to at least one glass wafer.
Abstract:
A method for forming a thin film structure, which has small tensile stress due to controlled mechanical stress, and is made to be conductive, is provided. A lower film including polysilicon thin film is formed on a substrate such as Si substrate, then an impurity such as P is doped into the lower film and thermally diffused, thereby the lower film is made conductive. Then, an upper film is deposited on the lower film, the upper film including a polysilicon thin film that is simply deposited and not made to be conductive. The upper film has a tensile stress in an approximately the same level as compressive stress of the lower film, and a thin film structure as a whole, the structure including the lower film and the upper film, is adjusted to have small tensile stress.
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 +/= 100Mpa. The dopants can either be deposited in successive layers to produce a laminated structure with a residual mechanical stress of less than +/= 100Mpa or simultaneously to produce a laminated structure having a mechanical stress of less than +/= 100Mpa.
Abstract:
A MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical System) electrostatic device operated with lower and more predictable operating voltages is provided. An electrostatic actuator, an electrostatic attenuator of electromagnetic radiation, and a method for attenuating electromagnetic radiation are provided. Improved operating voltage characteristics are achieved by defining a non increasing air gap between the substrate electrode and flexible composite electrode within the electrostatic device. A medial portion of a multilayer flexible composite overlying the electromechanical substrate is held in position regardless of the application of electrostatic force, thereby sustaining the defined air gap. The air gap is relatively constant in separation from the underlying microelectronic surface when the medial portion is cantilevered in one embodiment. A further embodiment provides an air gap that decreases to zero when the medial portion approaches and contacts the underlying microelectronic surface. A moveable distal portion of the flexible composite is biased to curl naturally due to differences in thermal coefficients of expansion between the component layers. In response to electrostatic forces, the distal portion moves and thereby alters the distance separating the flexible composite from the underlaying microelectronic surface. Structures and techniques for controlling bias in the medial portion and the resulting air gap are provided. The electrostatic device may be disposed to selectively clear or intercept the path of electromagnetic radiation. Materials used in the attenuator can be selected to pass, reflect, or absorb various types of electromagnetic radiation. A plurality of electromagnetic attenuators may be disposed in an array and selectively activated in subsets.
Abstract:
A MEMS chip (100) includes a silicon substrate layer (110), a first oxidation layer (120) and a first thin film layer (130). The silicon substrate layer includes a front surface (112) for a MEMS process and a rear surface (114), both the front surface and the rear surface being polished surfaces. The first oxidation layer is mainly made of silicon dioxide and is formed on the rear surface of the silicon substrate layer. The first thin film layer is mainly made of silicon nitride and is formed on the surface of the first oxidation layer. In the above MEMS chip, by sequentially laminating a first oxidation layer and a first thin film layer on the rear surface of a silicon substrate layer, the rear surface is effectively protected to prevent the scratch damage in the course of a MEMS process. A manufacturing method for the MEMS chip is also provided.