Abstract:
Disclosed herein are methods of immobilizing a particle which comprise focusing the flow of a sample fluid containing the particle into a virtual channel which flows towards an unoccupied hydrodynamic trap in a microfluidic channel such that the particle flows into the hydrodynamic trap and becomes immobilized therein. Also disclosed are microfluidic devices which comprise at least one microchannel having at least one hydrodynamic trap, at least one focusing fluid inlet, said focusing fluid inlet is upstream of the hydrodynamic trap such that a focusing fluid introduced therein results in a virtual channel of a sample fluid when present which preferentially flows toward the hydrodynamic trap.
Abstract:
Disclosed herein are methods of making micropores of a desired height and/or width between two isotropic wet etched features in a substrate which comprises single-level isotropic wet etching the two features using an etchant and a mask distance that is less than 2× a set etch depth. Also disclosed herein are methods using the micropores and microfluidic devices comprising the micropores.
Abstract:
In a formation method for forming a fine structure in a workpiece (30) containing an etching control component, using an isotropic etching process, a mask (32, 34) having an opening (36) is applied to the workpiece, and the workpiece is etched with an etching solution (38) to thereby form a recess (40), corresponding to a shape of the opening, in a surface of the workpiece. The etching of the workpiece is stopped due to the etching control component eluted out of the workpiece in the etching solution within the recess during the isotropic etching process.
Abstract:
In a formation method for forming a fine structure in a workpiece (30) containing an etching control component, using an isotropic etching process, a mask (32, 34) having an opening (36) is applied to the workpiece, and the workpiece is etched with an etching solution (38) to thereby form a recess (40), corresponding to a shape of the opening, in a surface of the workpiece. The etching of the workpiece is stopped due to the etching control component eluted out of the workpiece in the etching solution within the recess during the isotropic etching process.
Abstract:
A technique for manufacturing a micro-electro-mechanical (MEM) structure includes a number of steps. Initially, a substrate is provided. Next, a plurality of trenches are etched into the substrate with a first etch. Then, a charging layer is formed at a bottom of each of the trenches to form undercut trenches. Finally, a second etch is provided into the undercut trenches. The charging layer causes the second etch to laterally etch foots in the substrate between the undercut trenches. The footers undercut the substrate to release a portion of the substrate for providing a movable structure between the undercut trenches and above the footers.
Abstract:
In a formation method for forming a fine structure in a workpiece containing an etching control component, using an isotropic etching process, a mask having an opening is applied to the workpiece, and the workpiece is etched with an etching solution to thereby form a recess, corresponding to a shape of the opening, in a surface of the workpiece. The etching of the workpiece is stopped due to the etching control component eluted out of the workpiece in the etching solution within the recess during the isotropic etching process.
Abstract:
Provided herein is an apparatus and a method useful for manufacturing MEMS devices. An aspect of the disclosed apparatus provides a substrate comprising an etchable material exposed to a solid-state etchant, wherein the substrate and the solid-state etchant are disposed in an etching chamber. In some embodiments, the solid state etchant is moved into close proximity to the substrate. In other embodiments, a configurable partition is between the substrate and the solid-state etchant is opened. The solid-state etchant forms a gas-phase etchant suitable for etching the etchable material. In some preferred embodiments, the solid-state etchant is solid xenon difluoride. The apparatus and method are advantageously used in performing a release etch in the fabrication of optical modulators.
Abstract:
A method of manufacturing MEMS structures and devices that allows the fabrication of dielectric structures with improved etch selectivity and good electrical leakage characteristics. The dielectric structure includes a composite stack of silicon nitride sub-layers with a silicon-rich nitride sub-layer and a stoichiometric silicon nitride sub-layer at opposite ends of the stack. Alternatively, the dielectric structure includes a single silicon nitride layer providing a graded change in silicon content through the dielectric layer, from silicon-rich nitride to stoichiometric silicon nitride.
Abstract:
A method of manufacturing MEMS structures and devices that allows the fabrication of dielectric structures with improved etch selectivity and good electrical leakage characteristics. The dielectric structure includes a composite stack of silicon nitride sub-layers with a silicon-rich nitride sub-layer and a stoichiometric silicon nitride sub-layer at opposite ends of the stack. Alternatively, the dielectric structure includes a single silicon nitride layer providing a graded change in silicon content through the dielectric layer, from silicon-rich nitride to stoichiometric silicon nitride.
Abstract:
A method of anisotropic etching of structures in a semiconductor body, in particular of recesses in a silicon body (18) exactly defined laterally by an etching mask, by using a plasma (28) is proposed. An ion acceleration voltage induced in particular by a high-frequency AC voltage is applied to the semiconductor body at least during an etching step having a predefined duration. The duration of the etching step is further subdivided into at least two etching segments between which the ion acceleration voltage applied is modified each time. Preferably two etching segments are provided, a higher acceleration voltage being used during the first etching segment than during the second etching step. The length of the first etching segment can furthermore be determined dynamically or statically during the etching steps using a device for the detection of a polymer breakdown. In order to generate and adjust the value of the acceleration voltage, preferably high-frequency pulses or pulse packets having an adjustable pulse/pause ratio are used.