Abstract: An integrated circuit and method are provided for sensing activity such as acceleration in a predetermined direction of movement. The integrated released beam sensor preferably includes a switch detecting circuit region and a sensor switching region connected to and positioned adjacent the switch detecting circuit region. The sensor switching region preferably includes a plurality of floating contacts positioned adjacent and lengthwise extending outwardly from said switch detecting circuit region for defining a plurality of released beams so that each of said plurality of released beams displaces in a predetermined direction responsive to acceleration. The plurality of released beams preferably includes at least two released beams lengthwise extending outwardly from the switch detecting circuit region to different predetermined lengths and at least two released beams lengthwise extending outwardly from the switch detecting circuit region to substantially the same predetermined lengths.

Abstract: An integrated circuit and method are provided for sensing activity such as acceleration in a predetermined direction of movement. The integrated released beam sensor preferably includes a switch detecting circuit region and a sensor switching region connected to and positioned adjacent the switch detecting circuit region. The sensor switching region preferably includes a plurality of floating contacts positioned adjacent and lengthwise extending outwardly from said switch detecting circuit region for defining a plurality of released beams so that each of said plurality of released beams displaces in a predetermined direction responsive to acceleration. The plurality of released beams preferably includes at least two released beams lengthwise extending outwardly from the switch detecting circuit region to different predetermined lengths and at least two released beams lengthwise extending outwardly from the switch detecting circuit region to substantially the same predetermined lengths.

Abstract: An integrated oscillator and associated methods are provided for providing clock signals. The integrated oscillator preferably includes a micro-mechanical oscillating circuit for providing an oscillating clock signal. The micro-mechanical oscillating circuit preferably includes a support layer, a fixed layer positioned on a support layer, remaining portions of a sacrificial layer positioned only on portions of the fixed layer, and an oscillating layer positioned on the remaining portions of the sacrificial layer, overlying the fixed layer in spaced relation therefrom, and extending lengthwise generally transverse to a predetermined direction for defining a released beam for oscillating at a predetermined frequency. The spaced relation is preferably formed by removal of unwanted portions of the sacrificial layer.

Abstract: An integrated circuit and method are provided for sensing activity such as acceleration in a predetermined direction of movement. The integrated released beam sensor preferably includes a switch detecting circuit region and a sensor switching region connected to and positioned adjacent the switch detecting circuit region. The sensor switching region preferably includes a plurality of floating contacts positioned adjacent and lengthwise extending outwardly from said switch detecting circuit region for defining a plurality of released beams so that each of said plurality of released beams displaces in a predetermined direction responsive to acceleration. The plurality of released beams preferably includes at least two released beams lengthwise extending outwardly from the switch detecting circuit region to different predetermined lengths and at least two released beams lengthwise extending outwardly from the switch detecting circuit region to substantially the same predetermined lengths.

Abstract: An integrated circuit and method are provided for sensing activity such as acceleration in a predetermined direction. The integrated released beam sensor preferably includes a switch detecting circuit region and a sensor switching region connected to and positioned adjacent the switch detecting circuit region. The sensor switching region preferably includes a fixed contact layer, remaining portions of a sacrificial layer on the fixed contact layer, and a floating contact on the remaining portions of the sacrificial layer and having only portions thereof directly overlying the fixed contact layer and in spaced relation therefrom in a normally open position and extending lengthwise generally transverse to the predetermined direction so that the floating contact contacts the fixed contact layer responsive to acceleration in the predetermined direction. The floating contact is preferably a released beam which is released by opening a window or removing unwanted portions of the sacrificial layer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for minimizing voids in a plug. The process begins by forming a conformal barrier layer within the hole and then forming a metal plug within the hole. Thereafter, a cap layer is formed over the metal plug in which the cap layer has a lower thermal expansion coefficient than the metal plug. The hole is heated such that the metal in the hole flows to eliminate the void as a result of the compressive stress generated by the cap layer on the metal plug.

Abstract: An integrated circuit and method are provided for sensing activity such as temperature variations in a surrounding environment. The integrated released beam sensor preferably includes a switch detecting circuit region and a sensor switching region connected to the switch detecting circuit region. The sensor switching region preferably includes a fixed contact layer, a sacrificial layer on the fixed contact layer, and a floating contact on the sacrificial layer and having portions thereof overlying the fixed contact layer in spaced relation therefrom in an open switch position and extending lengthwise generally transverse to a predetermined direction. The floating contact preferably includes at least two layers of material. Each of the at least two layers have a different thermal expansion coefficient so that the floating contact displaces in the predetermined direction responsive to a predetermined temperature variation so as to contact the fixed contact layer and thereby form a closed switch position.

Abstract: An integrated oscillator and associated methods are provided for providing clock signals. The integrated oscillator preferably includes a micro-mechanical oscillating circuit for providing an oscillating clock signal. The micro-mechanical oscillating circuit preferably includes a support layer, a fixed layer positioned on a support layer, remaining portions of a sacrificial layer positioned only on portions of the fixed layer, and an oscillating layer positioned on the remaining portions of the sacrificial layer, overlying the fixed layer in spaced relation therefrom, and extending lengthwise generally transverse to a predetermined direction for defining a released beam for oscillating at a predetermined frequency. The spaced relation is preferably formed by removal of unwanted portions of the sacrificial layer.

Abstract: An integrated circuit and method are provided for sensing activity such as acceleration in a predetermined direction of movement. The integrated released beam sensor preferably includes a switch detecting circuit region and a sensor switching region connected to and positioned adjacent the switch detecting circuit region. The sensor switching region preferably includes a plurality of floating contacts positioned adjacent and lengthwise extending outwardly from said switch detecting circuit region for defining a plurality of released beams so that each of said plurality of released beams displaces in a predetermined direction responsive to acceleration. The plurality of released beams preferably includes at least two released beams lengthwise extending outwardly from the switch detecting circuit region to different predetermined lengths and at least two released beams lengthwise extending outwardly from the switch detecting circuit region to substantially the same predetermined lengths.

Abstract: An integrated circuit and method are provided for sensing activity such as acceleration in a predetermined direction. The integrated released beam sensor preferably includes a switch detecting circuit region and a sensor switching region connected to and positioned adjacent the switch detecting circuit region. The sensor switching region preferably includes a fixed contact layer, remaining portions of a sacrificial layer on the fixed contact layer, and a floating contact on the remaining portions of the sacrificial layer and having only portions thereof directly overlying the fixed contact layer and in spaced relation therefrom in a normally open position and extending lengthwise generally transverse to the predetermined direction so that the floating contact contacts the fixed contact layer responsive to acceleration in the predetermined direction. The floating contact is preferably a released beam which is released by opening a window or removing unwanted portions of the sacrificial layer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for minimizing voids in a plug. The process begins by forming a conformal barrier layer within the hole and then forming a metal plug within the hole. Thereafter, a cap layer is formed over the metal plug in which the cap layer has a lower thermal expansion coefficient than the metal plug. The hole is heated such that the metal in the hole flows to eliminate the void as a result of the compressive stress generated by the cap layer on the metal plug.

Abstract: An integrated circuit and method are provided for sensing activity such as temperature variations in a surrounding environment. The integrated released beam sensor preferably includes a switch detecting circuit region and a sensor switching region connected to the switch detecting circuit region. The sensor switching region preferably includes a fixed contact layer, a sacrificial layer on the fixed contact layer, and a floating contact on the sacrificial layer and having portions thereof overlying the fixed contact layer in spaced relation therefrom in an open switch position and extending lengthwise generally transverse to a predetermined direction. The floating contact preferably includes at least two layers of material. Each of the at least two layers have a different thermal expansion coefficient so that the floating contact displaces in the predetermined direction responsive to a predetermined temperature variation so as to contact the fixed contact layer and thereby form a closed switch position.