Abstract:
An etching method, such as for forming a micromechanical device, is disclosed. One embodiment of the method is for releasing a micromechanical structure, comprising, providing a substrate; providing a sacrificial layer directly or indirectly on the substrate; providing one or more micromechanical structural layers on the sacrificial layer; performing a first etch to remove a portion of the sacrificial layer, the first etch comprising providing an etchant gas and energizing the etchant gas so as to allow the etchant gas to physically, or chemically and physically, remove the portion of the sacrificial layer; performing a second etch to remove additional sacrificial material in the sacrificial layer, the second etch comprising providing a gas that chemically but not physically etches the additional sacrificial material. Another embodiment of the method is for etching a silicon material on or within a substrate, comprising: performing a first etch to remove a portion of the silicon, the first etch comprising providing an etchant gas and energizing the etchant gas so as to allow the etchant gas to physically, or chemically and physically, remove the portion of silicon; performing a second etch to remove additional silicon, the second etch comprising providing an etchant gas that chemically but not physically etches the additional silicon.
Abstract:
A method for producing a micromechanical structure, and a micromechanical structure having a movable structure and a stationary structure made of silicon. In the method for producing the micromechanical structure, in one process step, a superficial metal-silicide layer is produced in the movable structure and/or the stationary structure.
Abstract:
A method for fabricating an adhesion-resistant microelectromechanical device is disclosed wherein amorphous hydrogenated carbon is used as a coating or structural material to prevent adhesive failures during the formation and operation of a microelectromechanical device.
Abstract:
A monolithic capacitance-type microstructure includes a semiconductor substrate, a plurality of posts extending from the surface of the substrate, a bridge suspended from the posts, and an electrically-conductive, substantially stationary element anchored to the substrate. The bridge includes an element that is laterally movable with respect to the surface of the substrate. The substantially stationary element is positioned relative to the laterally movable element such that the laterally movable element and the substantially stationary element form a capacitor. Circuitry may be disposed on the substrate and operationally coupled to the movable element and the substantially stationary element for processing a signal based on a relative positioning of the movable element and the substantially stationary element. A method for fabricating the microstructure and the circuitry is disclosed.
Abstract:
It is possible to use an oriented monolayer to limit the Van der Waals forces between two elements by passivation. The invention disclosed here details how to do so by building the device to be passivated, cleaning the surface to be passivated, activating the surface, heating it along with the material to be used as the monolayer, exposing a vapor of the material to the surface and evacuating the excess material, leaving only the monolayer.
Abstract:
A microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) package includes a eutectic bonding structure free of a native oxide layer and an anti-stiction layer, while also including a MEMS device having a top surface and sidewalls lined with the anti-stiction layer. The MEMS device is arranged within a MEMS substrate having a first eutectic bonding substructure arranged thereon. A cap substrate having a second eutectic bonding substructure arranged thereon is eutectically bonded to the MEMS substrate with a eutectic bond at the interface of the first and second eutectic bonding substructures. The anti-stiction layer lines a top surface and sidewalls of the MEMS device, but not the first and second eutectic bonding substructures. A method for manufacturing the MEMS package and a process system for selective plasma treatment are also provided.
Abstract:
A microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) structure includes a substrate, an epitaxial polysilicon cap located above the substrate, a first cavity portion defined between the substrate and the epitaxial polysilicon cap, and a first graphene component having at least one graphene surface immediately adjacent to the first cavity portion.
Abstract:
A microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) structure includes a substrate, an epitaxial polysilicon cap located above the substrate, a first cavity portion defined between the substrate and the epitaxial polysilicon cap, and a first graphene component having at least one graphene surface immediately adjacent to the first cavity portion.
Abstract:
Representative methods for sealing MEMS devices include depositing insulating material over a substrate, forming conductive vias in a first set of layers of the insulating material, and forming metal structures in a second set of layers of the insulating material. The first and second sets of layers are interleaved in alternation. A dummy insulating layer is provided as an upper-most layer of the first set of layers. Portions of the first and second set of layers are etched to form void regions in the insulating material. A conductive pad is formed on and in a top surface of the insulating material. The void regions are sealed with an encapsulating structure. At least a portion of the encapsulating structure is laterally adjacent the dummy insulating layer, and above a top surface of the conductive pad. An etch is performed to remove at least a portion of the dummy insulating layer.
Abstract:
A pressure sensor using the MEMS device comprises an airtight ring surrounding a chamber defined by the first substrate and the second substrate. The airtight ring extends from the upper surface of the second substrate to the interface between the first substrate and the second substrate and further breaks out the interface. The pressure sensor utilizes the airtight ring to retain the airtightness of the chamber.