Abstract:
A method includes depositing a silicon layer over a first oxide layer that overlays a first silicon substrate. The method further includes depositing a second oxide layer over the silicon layer to form a composite substrate. The composite substrate is bonded to a second silicon substrate to form a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) substrate. Holes within the second silicon substrate are formed by reaching the second oxide layer of the composite substrate. The method further includes removing a portion of the second oxide layer through the holes to release MEMS features. The MEMS substrate may be bonded to a CMOS substrate.
Abstract:
An integrated MEMS device comprises two substrates where the first and second substrates are coupled together and have two enclosures there between. One of the first and second substrates includes an outgassing source layer and an outgassing barrier layer to adjust pressure within the two enclosures. The method includes depositing and patterning an outgassing source layer and a first outgassing barrier layer on the substrate, resulting in two cross-sections. In one of the two cross-sections a top surface of the outgassing source layer is not covered by the outgassing barrier layer and in the other of the two cross-sections the outgassing source layer is encapsulated in the outgassing barrier layer. The method also includes depositing conformally a second outgassing barrier layer and etching the second outgassing barrier layer such that a spacer of the second outgassing barrier layer is left on sidewalls of the outgassing source layer
Abstract:
A method and system for forming a MEMS device are disclosed. In a first aspect, the method comprises providing a conductive material over at least a portion of a top metal layer of a base substrate, patterning the conductive material and the at least a portion of the top metal layer, and bonding the conductive material with a device layer of a MEMS substrate via metal silicide formation. In a second aspect, the MEMS device comprises a MEMS substrate, wherein the MEMS substrate includes a handle layer, a device layer, and an insulating layer in between. The MEMS device further comprises a base substrate, wherein the base substrate includes a top metal layer and a conductive material over at least a portion of the top metal layer, wherein the conductive material is bonded with the device layer via metal silicide formation.
Abstract:
Semiconductor manufacturing processes include providing a first substrate having a first passivation layer disposed above a patterned top-level metal layer, and further having a second passivation layer disposed over the first passivation layer; the second passivation layer has a top surface. The processes further include forming an opening in a first portion of the second passivation layer, and the opening exposes a portion of a surface of the first passivation layer. The processes further include patterning the second and first passivation layers to expose portions of the patterned top-level metal layer and bonding a second substrate and the first substrate to each other. The bonding occurs within a temperature range in which at least the exposed portion of the first passivation layer undergoes outgassing.
Abstract:
A method for forming an actuator layer of a MEMS device is disclosed. The method comprising etching the actuator layer and annealing the actuator layer after etching to reduce surface roughness of the MEMS device.
Abstract:
An integrated MEMS device comprises two substrates where the first and second substrates are coupled together and have two enclosures there between. One of the first and second substrates includes an outgassing source layer and an outgassing barrier layer to adjust pressure within the two enclosures. The method includes depositing and patterning an outgassing source layer and a first outgassing barrier layer on the substrate, resulting in two cross-sections. In one of the two cross-sections a top surface of the outgassing source layer is not covered by the outgassing barrier layer and in the other of the two cross-sections the outgassing source layer is encapsulated in the outgassing barrier layer. The method also includes depositing conformally a second outgassing barrier layer and etching the second outgassing barrier layer such that a spacer of the second outgassing barrier layer is left on sidewalls of the outgassing source layer.
Abstract:
A method of fabricating electrical connections in an integrated MEMS device is disclosed. The method comprises forming a MEMS wafer. Forming a MEMS wafer includes forming one cavity in a first semiconductor layer, bonding the first semiconductor layer to a second semiconductor layer with a dielectric layer disposed between the first semiconductor layer and the second semiconductor layer, and etching at least one via through the second semiconductor layer and the dielectric layer and depositing a conductive material on the second semiconductor layer and filling the at least one via. Forming a MEMS wafer also includes patterning and etching the conductive material to form one standoff and depositing a germanium layer on the conductive material, patterning and etching the germanium layer, and patterning and etching the second semiconductor layer to define one MEMS structure. The method also includes bonding the MEMS wafer to a base substrate.