Abstract:
One embodiment of an micromechanical device includes a first contact surface, a moveable component having a second contact surface, and a coating of liquid or solid lubricant on at least one of the contact surfaces, where the second contact surface interacts with the first contact surface during device operation, and a gas-phase lubricant is disposed between the first contact surface and the second contact surface, where the gas-phase lubricant is adapted to increase the usable lifetime of the liquid or solid lubricant coating on the contact surfaces. One advantage of the disclosed device is that a gas-phase lubricant has a high diffusion rate and, therefore, is self-replenishing, meaning that it can quickly move back into a contact region after being physically displaced from the region by the contacting surfaces of the device during operation. Consequently, the gas-phase lubricant used with conventional solid or liquid lubricants is more reliable than solid or liquid lubricants used alone in preventing stiction-related device failures.
Abstract:
Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a device that has an improved usable lifetime due to the presence of a lubricant that reduces the likelihood of stiction occurring between the various moving parts in an electromechanical device. Embodiments of the present invention also generally include a device, and a method of forming a device, that has one or more surfaces or regions that have a volume of lubricant disposed thereon that acts as a ready supply of “fresh” lubricant to prevent stiction occurring between interacting components found within the device. In one aspect, components within the volume of lubricant form a gas or vapor phase that reduces the chances of stiction-related failure in the formed device. In one example, aspects of this invention may be especially useful for fabricating and using micromechanical devices, such as MEMS devices, NEMS devices, or other similar thermal or fluidic devices.
Abstract:
A method for preparing a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) device for subsequent processing is disclosed. The method includes establishing an anti-stiction material on exposed surfaces of the MEMS device. The exposed surfaces include at least an interior surface of a chamber and an external surface of the MEMS device. The anti-stiction material is selectively removed from at least a portion of the external surface via a plasma sputtering process under controlled conditions.
Abstract:
A micro electro-mechanical system, which can be stably formed so as to prevent sticking of a movable part and which has a narrow gap, and a method of manufacturing the same are provided. The micro electro-mechanical system includes at least one fixed electrode formed above a principal surface of a semiconductor substrate and at least one movable electrode formed on the principal surface. The at least one movable electrode includes the movable part separated from the principal surface and the at least one fixed electrode. The movable part is movable with respect to the principal surface and the at least one fixed electrode. The method of manufacturing the micro electromechanical system includes a sacrifical film formation step for forming a sacrifical film above the principal surface, an electrode layer formation step for forming an electrode layer above the principal surface so as to cover over the sacrifical film, an etching step for partially etching the electrode layer via a pattern so as to form the at least one electrode and the at least one fixed electrode, a sacrifical film removal step for removing the sacrifical film, and a conducting film formation step for forming a conducting film on surfaces of the at least one electrode and the at least one fixed electrode.
Abstract:
A microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) device utilizing an aluminum fluoride layer as an etch stop is disclosed. In one embodiment, a MEMS device includes a first electrode having a first surface; and a second electrode having a second surface facing the first surface and defining a gap therebetween. The second electrode is movable in the gap between a first position and a second position. At least one of the electrodes includes an aluminum fluoride layer facing the other of the electrodes. During fabrication of the MEMS device, a sacrificial layer is formed between the first and second electrodes and is released to define the gap. The aluminum fluoride layer serves as an etch stop to protect the first or second electrode during the release of the sacrificial layer.
Abstract:
One embodiment of an micromechanical device includes a first contact surface, a moveable component having a second contact surface, where the second contact surface interacts with the first contact surface during device operation, and a gas-phase lubricant disposed between the first contact surface and the second contact surface, where the gas-phase lubricant is adapted to reduce stiction-related forces between the first contact surface and the second contact surface. One advantage of the disclosed device is that a gas-phase lubricant has a high diffusion rate and, therefore, is self-replenishing, meaning that it can quickly move back into a contact region after being physically displaced from the region by the contacting surfaces of the device during operation. Consequently, the gas-phase lubricant is more reliable than conventional solid or liquid lubricants in preventing stiction-related device failures.
Abstract:
This invention discloses a process for forming durable anti-stiction surfaces on micromachined structures while they are still in wafer form (i.e., before they are separated into discrete devices for assembly into packages). This process involves the vapor deposition of a material to create a low stiction surface. It also discloses chemicals which are effective in imparting an anti-stiction property to the chip. These include polyphenylsiloxanes, silanol terminated phenylsiloxanes and similar materials.
Abstract:
A method for fabricating a micro structure includes forming a first structure portion on a substrate; disposing a sacrificial material over the first structure portion; depositing a layer of a first structural material over the sacrificial material and the substrate; removing at least a portion of the sacrificial material to form a second structure portion in the layer of the first structural material, and forming a carbon layer on a surface of the second structure portion or on a surface of the first structure portion to prevent stiction between the second structure portion and the first structure portion. The second structure portion is connected with the substrate and is movable between a first position in which the second structural portion is separated from the first structure portion and a second position in which the second structure portion is in contact with the first structure portion.
Abstract:
A micromechanical component includes an anti-adhesive layer, formed from at least one fluorine-containing silane, applied to at least parts of its surface for reducing surface forces. To increase mechanical and thermal load capacity, the anti-adhesive layer is provided as a multilayer coating which is formed from at least one metal oxide layer and at least one layer composed of at least one fluorine-containing silane.