Abstract: A capacitive pressure sensor includes a substrate wafer and a diaphragm wafer. The substrate wafer defines a substrate recess with a first recess. The diaphragm wafer defines a diaphragm recess with a second recess. The diaphragm wafer is bonded to the substrate wafer such that the substrate and diaphragm recesses form a height differentiated pressure chamber.

Abstract: A capacitive pressure sensor includes a substrate wafer and a diaphragm wafer. The substrate wafer defines a substrate recess with a first recess. The diaphragm wafer defines a diaphragm recess with a second recess. The diaphragm wafer is bonded to the substrate wafer such that the substrate and diaphragm recesses form a height differentiated pressure chamber.

Abstract: A method for forming a transducer including the step of providing a semiconductor-on-insulator wafer including first and second semiconductor layers separated by an electrically insulating layer, wherein the first layer is formed or provided by hydrogen ion delamination of a starting wafer. The method further includes doping the first layer to form a piezoresistive film and etching the piezoresistive film to form at least one piezoresistor. The method also includes depositing or growing a metallization layer on the semiconductor-on-insulator wafer, the metallization layer including an electrical connection portion that is located on or is electrically coupled to the piezoresistor. The method includes removing at least part of the second semiconductor layer to form a diaphragm, with the at least part of the piezoresistor being located on the diaphragm, and joining the wafer to a package by melting a high temperature braze material or a glass frit material.

Abstract: A method for forming a transducer including the step of providing a semiconductor-on-insulator wafer including first and second semiconductor layers separated by an electrically insulating layer, wherein the first layer is formed or provided by hydrogen ion delamination of a starting wafer. The method further includes doping the first layer to form a piezoresistive film and etching the piezoresistive film to form at least one piezoresistor. The method also includes depositing or growing a metallization layer on the semiconductor-on-insulator wafer, the metallization layer including an electrical connection portion that is located on or is electrically coupled to the piezoresistor. The method includes removing at least part of the second semiconductor layer to form a diaphragm, with the at least part of the piezoresistor being located on the diaphragm, and joining the wafer to a package by melting a high temperature braze material or a glass frit material.

Abstract: A transducer for use in a harsh environment including a substrate and a transducer die directly coupled to the substrate by a bond frame positioned between the substrate and the transducer die. The transducer die includes a transducer element which provides an output signal related to a physical characteristic to be measured, or which receives an input signal and responsively provides a physical output. The transducer further includes a connecting component electrically coupled to the transducer element at a connection location that is fluidly isolated from the transducer element or the surrounding environment by the bond frame. The bond frame is made of materials and the connecting component is electrically coupled to the transducer element by the same materials of the bond frame, and the connecting component is electrically isolated from the bond frame.

Abstract: A harsh environment transducer including a substrate having a first surface and a second surface, wherein the second surface is in communication with the environment. The transducer includes a device layer sensor means located on the substrate for measuring a parameter associated with the environment. The sensor means including a single crystal semiconductor material having a thickness of less than about 0.5 microns. The transducer further includes an output contact located on the substrate and in electrical communication with the sensor means. The transducer includes a package having an internal package space and a port for communication with the environment. The package receives the substrate in the internal package space such that the first surface of the substrate is substantially isolated from the environment and the second surface of the substrate is substantially exposed to the environment through the port.

Abstract: A harsh environment transducer including a substrate having a first surface and a second surface, wherein the second surface is in communication with the environment. The transducer includes a device layer sensor means located on the substrate for measuring a parameter associated with the environment. The sensor means including a single crystal semiconductor material having a thickness of less than about 0.5 microns. The transducer further includes an output contact located on the substrate and in electrical communication with the sensor means. The transducer includes a package having an internal package space and a port for communication with the environment. The package receives the substrate in the internal package space such that the first surface of the substrate is substantially isolated from the environment and the second surface of the substrate is substantially exposed to the environment through the port.

Abstract: A transducer for use in a harsh environment including a substrate and a transducer die directly coupled to the substrate by a bond frame positioned between the substrate and the transducer die. The transducer die includes a transducer element which provides an output signal related to a physical characteristic to be measured, or which receives an input signal and responsively provides a physical output. The transducer further includes a connecting component electrically coupled to the transducer element at a connection location that is fluidly isolated from the transducer element or the surrounding environment by the bond frame. The bond frame is made of materials and the connecting component is electrically coupled to the transducer element by the same materials of the bond frame, and the connecting component is electrically isolated from the bond frame.

Abstract: A structure including a first structural component, a second structural component and a bonding structure bonding the first and second structural components together, where the bonding structure contains a hypoeutectic solid solution alloy. The hypoeutectic solid solution alloy may be a gold-germanium solid solution alloy, a gold-silicon solid solution alloy or a gold-tin solid solution alloy.

Abstract: A method for forming a transducer including the step of providing a semiconductor-on-insulator wafer including first and second semiconductor layers separated by an electrically insulating layer. The method further includes depositing or growing a piezoelectric film or piezoresistive film on the wafer, depositing or growing an electrically conductive material on the piezoelectric or piezoresistive film to form at least one electrode, and depositing or growing a bonding layer including an electrical connection portion that is located on or is electrically coupled to the electrode. The method further includes the step of providing a ceramic substrate having a bonding layer located thereon, the bonding layer including an electrical connection portion and being patterned in a manner to generally match the bonding layer of the semiconductor-on-insulator wafer.

Abstract: A method for forming a transducer including the step of providing a semiconductor-on-insulator wafer including first and second semiconductor layers separated by an electrically insulating layer. The method further includes depositing or growing a piezoelectric film or piezoresistive film on the wafer, depositing or growing an electrically conductive material on the piezoelectric or piezoresistive film to form at least one electrode, and depositing or growing a bonding layer including an electrical connection portion that is located on or is electrically coupled to the electrode. The method further includes the step of providing a ceramic substrate having a bonding layer located thereon, the bonding layer including an electrical connection portion and being patterned in a manner to generally match the bonding layer of the semiconductor-on-insulator wafer.

Abstract: A pressure sensor for use in a harsh environment including a substrate and a sensor die directly coupled to the substrate by a bond frame positioned between the substrate and the sensor die. The sensor die includes a generally flexible diaphragm configured to flex when exposed to a sufficient differential pressure thereacross. The sensor further includes a piezoelectric or piezoresistive sensing element at least partially located on the diaphragm such that the sensing element provides an electrical signal upon flexure of the diaphragm. The sensor also includes an connecting component electrically coupled to the sensing element at a connection location that is fluidly isolated from the diaphragm by the bond frame. The bond frame is made of materials and the connecting component is electrically coupled to the sensing element by the same materials of the bond frame.

Abstract: A pressure sensor for use in a harsh environment including a substrate and a sensor die directly coupled to the substrate by a bond frame positioned between the substrate and the sensor die. The sensor die includes a generally flexible diaphragm configured to flex when exposed to a sufficient differential pressure thereacross. The sensor further includes a piezoelectric or piezoresistive sensing element at least partially located on the diaphragm such that the sensing element provides an electrical signal upon flexure of the diaphragm. The sensor also includes an connecting component electrically coupled to the sensing element at a connection location that is fluidly isolated from the diaphragm by the bond frame. The bond frame is made of materials and the connecting component is electrically coupled to the sensing element by the same materials of the bond frame.