Abstract:
Technologies are generally described for operating and manufacturing optomechanical accelerometers. In some examples, an optomechanical accelerometer device is described that uses a cavity resonant displacement sensor based on a zipper photonic crystal nano-eavity to measure the displacement, of an integrated test mass generated by acceleration applied to the chip. The cavity-resonant sensor may he folly integrated on-chip and exhibit an enhanced displacement resolution due to its strong optomechanical, coupling. The accelerometer structure may be fabricated in a silicon nitride thin film and constitute a rectangular test mass flexibly suspended on high aspect ratio inorganic nitride nano-tethers under high tensile stress. By increasing the mechanical Q-factors through adjustment of tether width and tether length, the noise-equivalent acceleration (NBA) may be reduced, while maintaining a large operation bandwidth. The mechanical Q-factor may be improved with thinner (e.g.,
Abstract:
Methods for fabricating sublithographic, nanoscale linear microchannel arrays over surfaces without defined features utilizing self-assembling block copolymers, and films and devices formed from these methods are provided. Embodiments of the methods use a multilayer induced ordering approach to align lamellar films to an underlying base film within trenches, and localized heating to anneal the lamellar-phase block copolymer film overlying the trenches and outwardly over the remaining surface.
Abstract:
A hierarchical structured surface can have high heat transfer performance during a phase change process. Using hierarchically structured surfaces, an enhancement in critical heat flux (CHF) of ~160% or higher on a microstructured surface can be obtained.
Abstract:
This document discusses, among other things, an apparatus including a silicon die including a vibratory diaphragm, the die having a silicon die top opposite a silicon die bottom, with a top silicon die port extending from the silicon die top through the silicon die to a top of the vibratory diaphragm, and with a bottom silicon die port extending from the silicon die bottom to a bottom of the vibratory diaphragm, wherein the bottom silicon die port has a cross sectional area that is larger than a cross-sectional area of the top silicon die port, a capacitor electrode disposed along a bottom of the silicon die, across the bottom silicon die port, the capacitor electrode including a first signal generation portion that is coextensive with the top silicon die port, and a second signal generation portion surrounding the first portion.
Abstract:
Methods of forming integrated MEMS structures are described. Those methods and structures may include forming at least one MEMS structure on a first substrate, forming a first bonding layer on a top surface of die first substrate, and then coupling the first bonding layer disposed on the first substrate to a second substrate, wherein the second substrate comprises a device layer. The bonding may comprise a layer transfer process, wherein an integrated MEMS device is formed.
Abstract:
A method for monitoring includes providing a device (64) including a first part (46) and a second part (72) and a movable joint (70) connecting the first part to the second part. An electrical characteristic of a conductive path (80) crossing the movable joint is measured, and a remedial action is initiated in response to detecting a change of the electrical characteristic.
Abstract:
A system and method for forming a sensor device with a buried first electrode includes providing a first silicon portion with an electrode layer and a second silicon portion with a device layer. The first silicon portion and the second silicon portion are adjoined along a common oxide layer formed on the electrode layer of the first silicon portion and the device layer of the second silicon portion. The resulting multi-silicon stack includes a buried lower electrode that is further defined by a buried oxide layer, a highly-doped ion implanted region, or a combination thereof. The multi-silicon stack has a plurality of silicon layers and silicon dioxide layers with electrically isolated regions in each layer allowing for both the lower electrode and an upper electrode. The multi-silicon stack further includes a spacer that enables the lower electrode to be accessible from a topside of the sensor device.
Abstract:
Micro-Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS) structures, methods of manufacture and design structures are provided. The method of forming a MEMS structure includes forming a wiring layer (14) on a substrate (10) comprising actuator electrodes (115) and a contact electrode (110). The method further includes forming a MEMS beam (100) above the wiring layer (14). The method further includes forming at least one spring (200) attached to at least one end of the MEMS beam (100). The method further includes forming an array of mini -bumps (105') between the wiring layer (14) and the MEMS beam (100).