Abstract:
The present invention relates to methods for detecting gases in an environment using chemical and thermal sensing. In one embodiment, a method includes exposing a chemiresistor embedded within a sensor pixel to a gas in an environment; setting a heater embedded within the sensor pixel to a sensing temperature, the sensing temperature being greater than room temperature; measuring an electrical resistance of the chemiresistor in response to setting the heater to the sensing temperature; and in response to a difference between the electrical resistance of the chemiresistor and a reference electrical resistance being less than a threshold, supplying a fixed power input to the heater embedded within the sensor pixel and measuring a temperature of the sensor pixel relative to a reference temperature.
Abstract:
MEMS device for low resistance applications are disclosed. In a first aspect, the MEMS device comprises a MEMS wafer including a handle wafer with one or more cavities containing a first surface and a second surface and an insulating layer deposited on the second surface of the handle wafer. The MEMS device also includes a device layer having a third and fourth surface, the third surface bonded to the insulating layer of the second surface of handle wafer; and a metal conductive layer on the fourth surface. The MEMS device also includes CMOS wafer bonded to the MEMS wafer. The CMOS wafer includes at least one metal electrode, such that an electrical connection is formed between the at least one metal electrode and at least a portion of the metal conductive layer.
Abstract:
An integrated package of at least one environmental sensor and at least one MEMS acoustic sensor is disclosed. The package contains a shared port that exposes both sensors to the environment, wherein the environmental sensor measures characteristics of the environment and the acoustic sensor measures sound waves. The port exposes the environmental sensor to an air flow and the acoustic sensor to sound waves. An example of the acoustic sensor is a microphone and an example of the environmental sensor is a humidity sensor.
Abstract:
A MEMS device and method for providing a MEMS device are disclosed. In a first aspect, the MEMS device comprises a first substrate and a second substrate coupled to the first substrate forming a sealed enclosure. A moveable structure is located within the sealed enclosure. An outgassing layer is formed on the first or second substrates and within the sealed enclosure. A first conductive layer is disposed between the moveable structure and the outgassing layer, wherein the first conductive layer allows outgassing species to pass therethrough.
Abstract:
An integrated package of at least one environmental sensor and at least one MEMS acoustic sensor is disclosed. The package contains a shared port that exposes both sensors to the environment, wherein the environmental sensor measures characteristics of the environment and the acoustic sensor measures sound waves. The port exposes the environmental sensor to an air flow and the acoustic sensor to sound waves. An example of the acoustic sensor is a microphone and an example of the environmental sensor is a humidity sensor.
Abstract:
Various embodiments provide for a method for roughening a surface of a MEMs device or the surface of a CMOS surface. A first material can be deposited in a thin layer over a surface made of a second material. After heating, the first and second materials, they can partially melt and interdiffuse, forming an alloy. The first material can then be removed and the alloy is removed at the same time. The surface of the second material that is left behind has then been roughened due to the interdiffusion of the first and second materials.
Abstract:
A MEMS device includes a dual membrane, an electrode, and an interconnecting structure. The dual membrane has a top membrane and a bottom membrane. The bottom membrane is positioned between the top membrane and the electrode and the interconnecting structure defines a spacing between the top membrane and the bottom membrane.
Abstract:
Semiconductor manufacturing processes include providing a first substrate having a first passivation layer disposed above a patterned top-level metal layer, and further having a second passivation layer disposed over the first passivation layer; the second passivation layer has a top surface. The processes further include forming an opening in a first portion of the second passivation layer, and the opening exposes a portion of a surface of the first passivation layer. The processes further include patterning the second and first passivation layers to expose portions of the patterned top-level metal layer and bonding a second substrate and the first substrate to each other. The bonding occurs within a temperature range in which at least the exposed portion of the first passivation layer undergoes outgassing.
Abstract:
An integrated package of at least one environmental sensor and at least one MEMS acoustic sensor is disclosed. The package contains a shared port that exposes both sensors to the environment, wherein the environmental sensor measures characteristics of the environment and the acoustic sensor measures sound waves. The port exposes the environmental sensor to an air flow and the acoustic sensor to sound waves. An example of the acoustic sensor is a microphone and an example of the environmental sensor is a humidity sensor.
Abstract:
A Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) device includes a first substrate with a first surface and a second surface, the first substrate including a base layer, a moveable beam disposed on the base layer, at least one metal layer, and one or more standoffs disposed on the base layer such that one or more metal layers are situated on the top surface of the one or more standoffs. The MEMS device further includes a second substrate including one or more metal layers bonded to the one or more standoffs resulting in an electrical connection between at least a portion of the one or more metal layers of the second substrate and one or more of the at least one electrode on the bottom surface and the at least one electrode on the top surface.