Abstract:
A micromechanical apparatus, a pressure sensor, and a method, a closed cavity being provided beneath a membrane, the membrane having a greater thickness in a first membrane region than in a second membrane region.
Abstract:
The invention is directed to methods for direct patterning of silicon. The invention provides the ability to fabricate complex surfaces in silicon with three dimensional features of high resolution and complex detail. The invention is suitable, for example, for use in soft lithography as embodiments of the invention can quickly create a master for use in soft lithography. In an embodiment of the invention, electrochemical etching of silicon, such as a silicon wafer, for example, is conducted while at least a portion of the silicon surface is exposed to an optical pattern. The etching creates porous silicon in the substrate, and removal of the porous silicon layer leaves a three-dimensional structure correlating to the optical pattern.
Abstract:
The present publication discloses a method for forming cavities in prefabricated silicon wafers comprising a first silicon layer (1), a second monocrystalline silicon layer, or a so-called structural layer (3), oriented substantially parallel with said first silicon layer (1) and an insulating layer (2) situated between said first and second layers (1, 3). According to the method, in at least one of the conducting silicon layers (1, 3) are fabricated windows (4) extending through the thickness of the layer, and cavities are etched in the insulating layer (2) by means of etchants passed to the layer via said fabricated windows (4). According to the invention, subsequent to the fabrication step of the windows (4) and prior to the etching step, a thin porous layer (5) is formed on the surface to be processed such that the etchants can be passed through said porous layer into said cavities (6) being etched and, after the cavities (6) are etched ready, at least one supplementary layer (7) is deposited in order to render to the material of said porous layer impermeable to gases.
Abstract:
A method for manufacturing a semiconductor substrate of a first concentration type is described, which comprises at least a buried insulating cavity, comprising the following steps: forming on the semiconductor substrate a plurality of trenches, forming a surface layer on the semiconductor substrate in order to close superficially the plurality of trenches forming in the meantime at least a buried cavity in correspondence with the surface-distal end of the trenches.
Abstract:
This invention provides a front side silicon micromachining process for the fabrication of suspended Porous Silicon membranes in the form of bridges or cantilevers and of thermal sensor devices employing these membranes. The fabrication of the suspended Porous Silicon membranes comprises the following steps: (a) formation of a Porous Silicon layer (2) in, at least one, predefined area of a Silicon substrate (1), (b) definition of etch windows (5) around or inside said Porous Silicon layer (2) using standard photolithography and (c) selective etching of the silicon substrate (1), underneath the Porous Silicon layer (2), by using dry etching techniques to provide release of the Porous Silicon membrane and to form a cavity (6) under the said Porous Silicon layer. Furthermore, the present invention provides a method for the fabrication of thermal sensors based on Porous Silicon membranes with minimal thermal losses, since the proposed methodology combines the advantages that result from the low thermal conductivity of Porous Silicon and the use of suspended membranes. Moreover, the front-side micromachining process proposed in the present invention simplifies the fabrication process. Various types of thermal sensor devices, such as calorimetric-type gas sensors, conductometric type gas sensors and thermal conductivity sensors are described utilizing the proposed methodology.
Abstract:
A micromechanical component is proposed having a substrate (10) and a cover layer (40) deposited on the substrate (10), underneath the cover layer (40), a region (30; 30null) of porous material being provided which mechanically supports and thermally insulates the cover layer (40). On the cover layer (40), a heating device (70) is provided to heat the cover layer (40) above the region (30; 30null); and above the region (30; 30null), a detector (200, 200null) is provided to measure an electric property of a heated medium (150) provided above the region (30; 30null) on the cover layer (40).
Abstract:
A micromechanical component having a substrate (10) made from a substrate material having a first doping type (p), a micromechanical functional structure provided in the substrate (10) and a cover layer to at least partially cover the micromechanical functional structure. The micromechanical functional structure has zones (15; 15a; 15b; 15c; 730; 740; 830) made from the substrate material having a second doping type (n), the zones being at least partially surrounded by a cavity (50; 50e-f), and the cover layer has a porous layer (30) made from the substrate material.
Abstract:
A method of manufacturing a diaphragm utilising a precision grinding technique after etching a cavity in a wafer. A technique for preventing distortion of the diaphragm based on use of a sacrificial layer of porous silicon is disclosed.