Abstract: The present invention relates to micro electromechanical systems (MEMS) devices and more specifically to a process for manufacturing MEMS devices having at least one suspended structural element. The present invention seeks to provide an improved method for manufacture of MEMS devices having improved safety and increased yield and throughput compared to conventional EDP immersion process techniques. MEMS devices are made using a modified dissolution process that removes, in a selective etch step, inactive silicon to release an active silicon device from a sacrificial substrate. The present invention uses a selective etchant in conjunction with a commercial spray acid processing tool to provide a dissolution process with improved throughput, improved repeatable and uniform etch rates and reduction in the number of processing steps and chemical containment for improved safety.

Abstract: An antifuse includes a metal cap layer located at the second barrier layer of the antifuse to improve the antifuse yield and long term reliability. An antifuse further includes one or more interfacial oxide film layers surrounding an antifuse dielectric layer to provide narrowing of the antifuse programming voltage distribution and to further improve the antifuse yield and long term reliability.

Abstract: An antifuse may include one or more interfacial oxide film layers surrounding an antifuse dielectric layer to provide narrowing of the antifuse programming voltage distribution and to improve the antifuse yield and long term reliability.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing various types of silicon devices, such as complementary bipolar PNP and NPN transistors, in a Silicon On Insulator ("SOI") Integrated Circuit ("IC"), the SOI IC having a substrate, a buried insulating layer disposed above the substrate, and a silicon device layer disposed above the insulating layer. Vertical transistors may be formed in the device layer such that each transistor is fully dielectrically isolated from another and also from other similarly manufactured silicon devices in the silicon device layer.

Abstract: A method of sputtering platinum onto a vitrified zirconia thimble to form an exhaust electrode for an electrochemical-type exhaust gas oxygen sensor. The electrode is sputtered under an atmosphere consisting essentially of more than about 50% oxygen and/or nitrogen by volume. Sensors having low symmetrical transition times are produced.