Abstract:
A method for forming a MEMS device is disclosed. The MEMS device includes a MEMS substrate and a base substrate. The MEMS substrate, where includes a handle layer, a device layer and an insulating layer in between. The method includes the sequential steps of: providing a standoff on the device layer; etching a via through the device layer and the insulating layer; providing a contact layer within the via, wherein the contact layer provides electrical connection between the device layer and the handle layer; providing a bonding layer on the standoff; and bonding the bonding layer to pads on the base substrate.
Abstract:
A method and system for preparing a semiconductor wafer are disclosed. In a first aspect, the method comprises providing a passivation layer over a patterned top metal on the semiconductor wafer, etching the passivation layer to open a bond pad in the semiconductor wafer using a first mask, depositing a protection layer on the semiconductor wafer, patterning the protective layer using a second mask, and etching the passivation layer to open other electrodes in the semiconductor wafer using a third mask. The system comprises a MEMS device that further comprises a first substrate and a second substrate bonded to the first substrate, wherein the second substrate is prepared by the aforementioned steps of the method.
Abstract:
A method and system for preparing a semiconductor wafer are disclosed. In a first aspect, the method comprises providing a passivation layer over a patterned top metal on the semiconductor wafer, etching the passivation layer to open a bond pad in the semiconductor wafer using a first mask, depositing a protection layer on the semiconductor wafer, patterning the protective layer using a second mask, and etching the passivation layer to open other electrodes in the semiconductor wafer using a third mask. The system comprises a MEMS device that further comprises a first substrate and a second substrate bonded to the first substrate, wherein the second substrate is prepared by the aforementioned steps of the method.
Abstract:
Provided herein is a method including fusion bonding a handle wafer to a first side of a device wafer. A hardmask is deposited on a second side of the device wafer, wherein the second side is planar. The hardmask is etched to form a MEMS device pattern and a standoff pattern. Standoffs are formed on the device wafer, wherein the standoffs are defined by the standoff pattern. A eutectic bond metal is deposited on the standoffs, the device wafer, and the hardmask. A first photoresist is deposited and removed, such that the first photoresist covers the standoffs. The eutectic bond metal is etched using the first photoresist. The MEMS device pattern is etched into the device wafer. The first photoresist and the hardmask are removed.
Abstract:
An apparatus includes a MEMS wafer with a device layer and a handle substrate bonded to the device layer. The apparatus also includes a CMOS wafer including an oxide layer, and a passivation layer overlying the oxide layer. A bonding electrode overlies the passivation layer and a bump stop electrode overlies the passivation layer. A eutectic bond is between a first bonding metal on the bonding electrode and a second bonding metal on the MEMS wafer. A sensing electrode is positioned adjacent to the bump stop electrode and the bonding electrode. A sensing gap is positioned between the sensing electrode and the device layer, wherein the sensing gap is greater than a bump stop gap positioned between the bump stop electrode and the device layer.
Abstract:
Provided herein is a method including forming a micro-electro-mechanical system (“MEMS”) wafer including a first MEMS device and a second MEMS device. A complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (“CMOS”) wafer is formed including a first electrically conductive via and a second electrically conductive via. A layer stack including a first conductive layer, a second conductive layer, and a bond layer is deposited over the first electrically conductive via and the second electrically conductive via. The layer stack is etched to define a first standoff, a second standoff, a third standoff, a first bump stop over the first electrically conductive via, and a second bump stop over the second electrically conductive via. The first bump stop and the second bump stop are etched to remove the bond layer. The first bump stop is further etched to remove the second conductive layer. The MEMS wafer is bonded to the CMOS wafer.
Abstract:
An apparatus includes a MEMS wafer with a device layer and a handle substrate bonded to the device layer. A complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (“CMOS”) wafer includes an oxide layer, and a passivation layer overlying the oxide layer. A bonding electrode overlies the passivation layer. A eutectic bond is between a first bonding metal on the bonding electrode and a second bonding metal on the MEMS wafer. A sensing electrode overlies the passivation layer. A shield electrode is adjacent to the sensing electrode. A sensing gap is positioned between the sensing electrode and the device layer, wherein the sensing gap is smaller than a shield gap positioned between the shield electrode and the device layer.
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:
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.