B81C1/00944

Micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) thermal sensor

The structure of a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) thermal sensor and a method of fabricating the MEMS thermal sensor are disclosed. A method of fabricating a MEMS thermal sensor includes forming first and second sensing electrodes with first and second electrode fingers, respectively, on a substrate and forming a patterned layer with a rectangular cross-section between a pair of the first electrode fingers. The first and second electrode fingers are formed in an interdigitated configuration and suspended above the substrate. The method further includes modifying the patterned layer to have a curved cross-section between the pair of the first electrode fingers, forming a curved sensing element on the modified patterned layer to couple to the pair of the first electrodes, and removing the modified patterned layer.

Micro-Electro-Mechanical System (Mems) Thermal Sensor

The structure of a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) thermal sensor and a method of fabricating the MEMS thermal sensor are disclosed. A method of fabricating a MEMS thermal sensor includes forming first and second sensing electrodes with first and second electrode fingers, respectively, on a substrate and forming a patterned layer with a rectangular cross-section between a pair of the first electrode fingers. The first and second electrode fingers are formed in an interdigitated configuration and suspended above the substrate. The method further includes modifying the patterned layer to have a curved cross-section between the pair of the first electrode fingers, forming a curved sensing element on the modified patterned layer to couple to the pair of the first electrodes, and removing the modified patterned layer.

Micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) thermal sensor

The structure of a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) thermal sensor and a method of fabricating the MEMS thermal sensor are disclosed. A method of fabricating a MEMS thermal sensor includes forming first and second sensing electrodes with first and second electrode fingers, respectively, on a substrate and forming a patterned layer with a rectangular cross-section between a pair of the first electrode fingers. The first and second electrode fingers are formed in an interdigitated configuration and suspended above the substrate. The method further includes modifying the patterned layer to have a curved cross-section between the pair of the first electrode fingers, forming a curved sensing element on the modified patterned layer to couple to the pair of the first electrode fingers, and removing the modified patterned layer.

MICRO-ELECTRO-MECHANICAL SYTEM (MEMS) THERMAL SENSOR

The structure of a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) thermal sensor and a method of fabricating the MEMS thermal sensor are disclosed. A method of fabricating a MEMS thermal sensor includes forming first and second sensing electrodes with first and second electrode fingers, respectively, on a substrate and forming a patterned layer with a rectangular cross-section between a pair of the first electrode fingers. The first and second electrode fingers are formed in an interdigitated configuration and suspended above the substrate. The method further includes modifying the patterned layer to have a curved cross-section between the pair of the first electrode fingers, forming a curved sensing element on the modified patterned layer to couple to the pair of the first electrodes, and removing the modified patterned layer.

Method and apparatus for reducing in-process and in-use stiction for MEMS devices

The present disclosure involves forming a method of fabricating a Micro-Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS) device. A plurality of openings is formed in a first side of a first substrate. A dielectric layer is formed over the first side of the substrate. A plurality of segments of the dielectric layer fills the openings. The first side of the first substrate is bonded to a second substrate that contains a cavity. The bonding is performed such that the segments of the dielectric layer are disposed over the cavity. A portion of the first substrate disposed over the cavity is transformed into a plurality of movable components of a MEMS device. The movable components are in physical contact with the dielectric the layer. Thereafter, a portion of the dielectric layer is removed without using liquid chemicals.

MICRO-ELECTRO-MECHANICAL SYSTEM (MEMS) THERMAL SENSOR

The structure of a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) thermal sensor and a method of fabricating the MEMS thermal sensor are disclosed. A method of fabricating a MEMS thermal sensor includes forming first and second sensing electrodes with first and second electrode fingers, respectively, on a substrate and forming a patterned layer with a rectangular cross-section between a pair of the first electrode fingers. The first and second electrode fingers are formed in an interdigitated configuration and suspended above the substrate. The method further includes modifying the patterned layer to have a curved cross-section between the pair of the first electrode fingers, forming a curved sensing element on the modified patterned layer to couple to the pair of the first electrodes, and removing the modified patterned layer.

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR REDUCING IN-PROCESS AND IN-USE STICTION FOR MEMS DEVICES

The present disclosure involves forming a method of fabricating a Micro-Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS) device. A plurality of openings is formed in a first side of a first substrate. A dielectric layer is formed over the first side of the substrate. A plurality of segments of the dielectric layer fills the openings. The first side of the first substrate is bonded to a second substrate that contains a cavity. The bonding is performed such that the segments of the dielectric layer are disposed over the cavity. A portion of the first substrate disposed over the cavity is transformed into a plurality of movable components of a MEMS device. The movable components are in physical contact with the dielectric the layer. Thereafter, a portion of the dielectric layer is removed without using liquid chemicals.

Method and apparatus for reducing in-process and in-use stiction for MEMS devices

The present disclosure involves forming a method of fabricating a Micro-Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS) device. A plurality of openings is formed in a first side of a first substrate. A dielectric layer is formed over the first side of the substrate. A plurality of segments of the dielectric layer fills the openings. The first side of the first substrate is bonded to a second substrate that contains a cavity. The bonding is performed such that the segments of the dielectric layer are disposed over the cavity. A portion of the first substrate disposed over the cavity is transformed into a plurality of movable components of a MEMS device. The movable components are in physical contact with the dielectric the layer. Thereafter, a portion of the dielectric layer is removed without using liquid chemicals.

Process for producing an electromechanical device

The invention is a process for producing an electromechanical device including a movable portion that is able to deform with respect to a fixed portion. The process implements steps based on fabrication microtechnologies, applied to a substrate including an upper layer, an intermediate layer and a lower layer. These steps are: a) forming first apertures in the upper layer; b) forming an empty cavity in the intermediate layer, which step is referred to as a pre-release step because a central portion of the upper layer lying between the first apertures is pre-released; c) applying what is called a blocking layer to the upper layer, this layer covering the first apertures, the blocking layer and the central portion together forming a suspended microstructure above the empty cavity; d) producing a boundary trench in the suspended microstructure, so as to form, in this microstructure, a movable portion and a fixed portion, the movable portion forming a movable member of the electromechanical device.

PROCESS FOR PRODUCING AN ELECTROMECHANICAL DEVICE

The invention is a process for producing an electromechanical device including a movable portion that is able to deform with respect to a fixed portion. The process implements steps based on fabrication microtechnologies, applied to a substrate including an upper layer, an intermediate layer and a lower layer. These steps are: a) forming first apertures in the upper layer; b) forming an empty cavity in the intermediate layer, which step is referred to as a pre-release step because a central portion of the upper layer lying between the first apertures is pre-released; c) applying what is called a blocking layer to the upper layer, this layer covering the first apertures, the blocking layer and the central portion together forming a suspended microstructure above the empty cavity; d) producing a boundary trench in the suspended microstructure, so as to form, in this microstructure, a movable portion and a fixed portion, the movable portion forming a movable member of the electromechanical device.