Abstract:
A method of forming a Micro-Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS) includes forming a lower electrode on a first insulator layer within a cavity of the MEMS. The method further includes forming an upper electrode over another insulator material on top of the lower electrode which is at least partially in contact with the lower electrode. The forming of the lower electrode and the upper electrode includes adjusting a metal volume of the lower electrode and the upper electrode to modify beam bending.
Abstract:
A method of forming at least one Micro-Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS) includes forming a lower wiring layer on a substrate. The method further includes forming a plurality of discrete wires from the lower wiring layer. The method further includes forming an electrode beam over the plurality of discrete wires. The at least one of the forming of the electrode beam and the plurality of discrete wires are formed with a layout which minimizes hillocks and triple points in subsequent silicon deposition.
Abstract:
The present subject matter relates to systems and methods for arranging and controlling programmable combinations of tuning elements in which more than one form of switching technology is combined in a single array. Specifically, such an array can include one or more first switchable elements including a first switching technology (e.g., one or more solid-state-controlled devices) and one or more second switchable elements including a second switching technology that is different than the first switching technology (e.g., one or more micro-electro-mechanical capacitors). The one or more first switchable elements and the one or more second switchable elements can be configured, however, to deliver a combined variable reactance.
Abstract:
A method of forming at least one Micro-Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS) cavity includes forming a first sacrificial cavity layer over a lower wiring layer. The method further includes forming a layer. The method further includes forming a second sacrificial cavity layer over the first sacrificial layer and in contact with the layer. The method further includes forming a lid on the second sacrificial cavity layer. The method further includes forming at least one vent hole in the lid, exposing a portion of the second sacrificial cavity layer. The method further includes venting or stripping the second sacrificial cavity layer such that a top surface of the second sacrificial cavity layer is no longer touching a bottom surface of the lid, before venting or stripping the first sacrificial cavity layer thereby forming a first cavity and second cavity, respectively.
Abstract:
A method of forming at least one Micro-Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS) includes forming a lower sacrificial material used to form a lower cavity. The method further includes forming a cavity via connecting the lower cavity to an upper cavity. The cavity via is formed with a top view profile of rounded or chamfered edges. The method further includes forming an upper sacrificial material within and above the cavity via, which has a resultant surface based on the profile of the cavity via. The upper cavity is formed with a lid that is devoid of structures that would interfere with a MEMS beam, including: depositing a lid material on the resultant surface of the upper sacrificial material; and venting the upper sacrificial material to form the upper cavity such the lid material forms the lid which conforms with the resultant surface of the upper sacrificial material.
Abstract:
A three-dimensional micro- electromechanical (MEM) varactor is described wherein a movable beam and fixed electrode are respectively fabricated on separate substrates coupled to each other. The movable beam with comb-drive electrodes are fabricated on the “chip side” while the fixed bottom electrode is fabricated on a separated substrate “carrier side”. Upon fabrication of the device on both surfaces of the substrate, the chip side device is diced and “flipped over”, aligned and joined to the “carrier” substrate to form the final device. Comb-drive (fins) electrodes are used for actuation while the motion of the electrode provides changes in capacitance. Due to the constant driving forces involved, a large capacitance tuning range can be obtained. The three dimensional aspect of the device avails large surface area. When large aspect ratio features are provided, a lower actuation voltage can be used. Upon fabrication, the MEMS device is completely encapsulated, requiring no additional packaging of the device. Further, since alignment and bonding can be done on a wafer scale (wafer scale MEMS packaging), an improved device yield can be obtained at a lower cost.
Abstract:
The present invention discloses a system for protecting a MEMS product from an ESD event, including, a control circuit; a MEMS product, electrically connected with the control circuit; an ESD protection device, electrically connected with the control circuit, and electrically connected with the MEMS product in parallel; wherein, the ESD protection device comprises: a top electrode assembly electrically connected with the control circuit; a flexible beam comprising a first electrode layer electrically connected with the control circuit, a second electrode layer electrically connected with the MEMS product, and a moving metal contact electrically connected with the second electrode layer; a bottom electrode assembly having a bottom electrode layer electrically connected with the MEMS product and a fixed metal contact electrically connected with the bottom electrode layer and facing the moving metal contact.
Abstract:
In described examples, a cavity is formed between a substrate and a cap. One or more access holes are formed through the cap for removing portions of a sacrificial layer from within the cavity. A cover is supported by the cap, where the cover is for occulting the one or more access holes along a perspective. An encapsulant seals the cavity, where the encapsulant encapsulates the cover and the one or more access holes.
Abstract:
A method of forming at least one Micro-Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS) includes patterning a wiring layer to form at least one fixed plate and forming a sacrificial material on the wiring layer. The method further includes forming an insulator layer of one or more films over the at least one fixed plate and exposed portions of an underlying substrate to prevent formation of a reaction product between the wiring layer and a sacrificial material. The method further includes forming at least one MEMS beam that is moveable over the at least one fixed plate. The method further includes venting or stripping of the sacrificial material to form at least a first cavity.