A wafer includes a process control monitor (PCM) structure formed on a substrate. The PCM structure includes detection and reference structures. The detection structure includes a first electrically conductive line arrangement formed in a first structural layer on the substrate and a first protection layer surrounding the first electrically conductive line arrangement. The reference structure includes a second electrically conductive line arrangement formed in the first structural layer on the substrate, a second protection layer surrounding the second electrically conductive line arrangement, an insulator material formed overlying the second electrically conductive line arrangement and the second protection layer, and a second structural layer overlying the insulator material. The insulator material does not overlie the detection structure. Methodology entails measuring a capacitance between the detection structure and the substrate, measuring another capacitance between the reference structure and substrate, and comparing the two capacitances to determine whether defects exist.

A MEMS transducer, for instance a MEMS capacitive transducer, comprising: a flexible membrane, the flexible membrane comprising a conductive track; and a continuity testing circuit electrically connected to the conductive track. The conductive track may be electrically isolated from any further conductive regions of the flexible membrane. The continuity testing circuit is configured to test the continuity of the conductive track.

Electronic test probes formed in a batch have a plurality of multi-material layers wherein at least one of the materials is a sacrificial material and at least one other material is a structural material. Successfully formed or good test probes are separated from unsuccessfully formed or bad test probes

A method includes, before attaching a window assembly to a semiconductor wafer, the semiconductor wafer including a plurality of integrated circuits and each integrated circuit including an electrical connection pad, adhering the window assembly to a carrier fixture. The method further includes, before attaching the window assembly to the semiconductor wafer, removing portions of the window assembly to create removal areas. The method then includes attaching the window assembly to the semiconductor wafer such that the electrical connection pad of each of the plurality of integrated circuits is within a removal area and removing the carrier fixture leaving the window assembly adhered to the semiconductor wafer with the electrical connection pad exposed of each of the plurality of integrated circuits.

A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device is provided. The method includes the following operations. (a) A substrate is patterned. (b) A polymer layer is formed on the patterned substrate. (c) The polymer layer is patterned. Steps (a), (b) and (c) are repeated alternatingly. An intensity of an emission light generated by a reaction of a plasma and a product produced in steps (a), (b) and (c) is detected. An endpoint in patterning the substrate is determined according to the intensity of the emission light generated by the reaction of the plasma and the product produced in only one step of steps (a), (b) and (c). A sampling rate of the intensity is ranged from 1 pt/20 ms to 1 pt/100 ms. A smooth function is used to process the intensity of the emission light generated by the reaction of the plasma and the product.

A micromechanical device that includes a MEMS substrate and a cap substrate that enclose at least one first cavity, with at least one contact pad that is situated outside the first cavity. A MEMS structure is situated in the first cavity and connected to the contact pad with the aid of a strip conductor, the strip conductor extending at least partially in the MEMS substrate. The contact pad is situated at a surface of the cap substrate.

A method of testing a capacitive transducer circuit, for example a MEMS capacitive transducer, by applying a test signal via one or more capacitors provided in the transducer circuit.

A redeposited material is removed so as to electrically observe a microelement without causing foreign matters or metal contamination. An FIB device (charged particle beam device) includes an FIB barrel which discharges the focused ion beam (charged particle beam), a stage which holds a sample (substrate), a microcurrent measuring device (current measuring unit) which measures a leakage current from the sample, and a timer (time measuring unit) which measures a time to emit the focused ion beam and a time to measure the leakage current. Further, the FIB device includes a system control unit (control unit) which synchronizes a time to emit the focused ion beam and a time to measure the leakage current by the microcurrent measuring device.

A method for fabricating an integrated MEMS device and the resulting structure therefore. A control process monitor comprising a MEMS membrane cover can be provided within an integrated CMOS-MEMS package to monitor package leaking or outgassing. The MEMS membrane cover can separate an upper cavity region subject to leaking from a lower cavity subject to outgassing. Differential changes in pressure between these cavities can be detecting by monitoring the deflection of the membrane cover via a plurality of displacement sensors. An integrated MEMS device can be fabricated with a first and second MEMS device configured with a first and second MEMS cavity, respectively. The separate cavities can be formed via etching a capping structure to configure each cavity with a separate cavity volume. By utilizing an outgassing characteristic of a CMOS layer within the integrated MEMS device, the first and second MEMS cavities can be configured with different cavity pressures.

Electronic devices and methods for fabricating electronic devices are provided. In one example, an electronic device includes an electronic device body structure having a substantially hermetically sealed cavity formed therein. A getter film is in fluid communication with the substantially hermetically sealed cavity. Conductive features are accessible from outside the substantially hermetically sealed cavity and are operatively coupled to the getter film for electrical communication with the getter film.