Abstract: A MEMS device includes a backplate electrode and a membrane disposed spaced apart from the backplate electrode. The membrane includes a displaceable portion and a fixed portion. The backplate electrode and the membrane are arranged such that an overlapping area of the fixed portion of the membrane with the backplate electrode is less than maximum overlapping.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a MEMS microphone includes a sound detection unit having a first membrane, a second membrane arranged at a distance from the first membrane, a low-pressure region arranged between the first membrane and the second membrane, a gas pressure that is reduced in relation to normal pressure being present in said low-pressure region, a counter electrode arranged in the low-pressure region, and a sound through-hole, which extends through the sound detection unit in a thickness direction of the sound detection unit; and a valve provided at the sound through-hole, said valve being configured to adopt a plurality of valve states, wherein a predetermined degree of transmission of the sound through-hole to sound is assigned to each valve state.

Abstract: Photoacoustic gas sensor having a light pulse emitter, a microphone in a reference gas housing having a reference gas, and a sample gas housing to be filled with a gas to be analyzed. A wall separates the sample gas housing from the reference gas housing, and has a transparent region that is transparent to light within a frequency range of emitted light pulses. Remaining inner walls of the sample gas housing have a reflecting surface that reflect light pulses emitted by the emitter so that a portion of the light pulses not absorbed by the gas to be analyzed pass through the transparent region into the reference gas volume. The microphone generates a sensor signal indicating information on an acoustic wave caused by the light pulses interacting with the reference gas after crossing the gas to be analyzed.

Abstract: A capacitive MEMS device, a capacitive MEMS sound transducer, a method for forming a capacitive MEMS device and a method for operating a capacitive MEMS device are disclosed. In an embodiment the capacitive MEMS device includes a first electrode structure comprising a first conductive layer and a second electrode structure comprising a second conductive layer, wherein the second conductive layer at least partially opposes the first conductive layer, and wherein the second conductive layer includes a multiple segmentation which provides an electrical isolation between at least three portions of the second conductive layer.

Abstract: Diaphragm element arrangements including at least one bistable diaphragm element, which has a first stable state and a second stable state, and corresponding methods are provided. The bistable diaphragm element can be activated above a changeover threshold in order to change over between the first and the second stable state or below the changeover threshold.

Abstract: A microelectromechanical microphone includes a reference electrode, a first membrane arranged on a first side of the reference electrode and displaceable by sound to be detected, and a second membrane arranged on a second side of the reference electrode, said second side being situated opposite the first side of the reference electrode, and displaceable by sound to be detected. A region of one from the first and second membranes that is displaceable by sound relative to the reference electrode, independently of said region's position relative to the reference electrode, can comprise a planar section and also an undulatory section adjoining the planar section and arranged in a region of overlap one of the first membrane or the second membrane with the other one of the first membrane and or the second membrane.

Abstract: For manufacturing a sound transducer structure, membrane support material is applied on a first main surface of a membrane carrier material and membrane material is applied in a sound transducing region and an edge region on a surface of the membrane support material. In addition, counter electrode support material is applied on a surface of the membrane material and recesses are formed in the sound transducing region of the membrane material. Counter electrode material is applied to the counter electrode support material and membrane carrier material and membrane support material are removed in the sound transducing region to the membrane material.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, a sensor package includes an electrically insulating substrate including a cavity in the electrically insulating substrate, an ambient sensor, an integrated circuit die embedded in the electrically insulating substrate, and a plurality of conductive interconnect structures coupling the ambient sensor to the integrated circuit die. The ambient sensor is supported by the electrically insulating substrate and arranged adjacent the cavity.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, microelectromechanical microphone includes a holder and a sound detection unit carried on the holder. The sound detection unit includes a planar first membrane, a planar second membrane arranged at a distance from the first membrane, a low-pressure chamber formed between the first membrane and the second membrane, a reduced gas pressure relative to normal pressure being present in the low-pressure chamber, a reference electrode arranged at least in sections in the low-pressure chamber, where the first and second membranes are displaceable relative to the reference electrode by sound waves to be detected, the reference electrode includes a planar base section and a stiffening structure provided on the base section, and the stiffening structure is provided on a side of the base section that faces the first membrane or/and on a side of the base section that faces the second membrane.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, a sensor package includes an electrically insulating substrate including a cavity in the electrically insulating substrate, an ambient sensor, an integrated circuit die embedded in the electrically insulating substrate, and a plurality of conductive interconnect structures coupling the ambient sensor to the integrated circuit die. The ambient sensor is supported by the electrically insulating substrate and arranged adjacent the cavity.

Abstract: An apparatus for in-situ calibration of a photoacoustic sensor is provided. The apparatus includes a light emitter to emit light along a transmission path to a gas and an acoustic sensor element configured to detect an acoustic signal emitted from the gas based on the received light. Furthermore, the apparatus includes a sensing unit configured to detect the light transmitted along the transmission path and to provide an output signal, and a calibration unit to receive the output signal from the sensing unit and to provide a calibration information based on the output signal received from the sensing unit.

Abstract: Aspects of a microelectromechanical device, an array of microelectromechanical devices, a method of manufacturing a microelectromechanical device, and a method of operating a microelectromechanical device, are discussed herein. The microelectromechanical device may include: a substrate; a diaphragm mechanically coupled to the substrate, the diaphragm comprising a stressed region to buckle the diaphragm into one of two geometrically stable positions; an actuator mechanically coupled to the diaphragm, the actuator comprising a piezoelectric layer over the diaphragm; a controller configured to provide an electrical control signal in response to a digital sound input; wherein the actuator is configured to receive the electrical control signal to exert a mechanical piezoelectric force on the diaphragm via the piezoelectric layer to move the diaphragm to create a sound wave.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, an electronic device includes a first emitter/collector region and a second emitter/collector region disposed in a substrate. The first emitter/collector region has a first edge/tip, and the second emitter/collector region has a second edge/tip. A gap separates the first edge/tip from the second edge/tip. The first emitter/collector region, the second emitter/collector region, and the gap form a field emission device.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a microelectromechanical transducer includes a displaceable membrane having an undulated section comprising at least one undulation trough and at least one undulation peak and a plurality of piezoelectric unit cells. At least one piezoelectric unit cell is provided in each case in at least one undulation trough and at least one undulation peak, where each piezoelectric unit cell has a piezoelectric layer and at least one electrode in electrical contact with the piezoelectric layer. The membrane may be formed as a planar component having a substantially larger extent in a first and a second spatial direction, which are orthogonal to one another, than in a third spatial direction, which is orthogonal to the first and the second spatial direction and defines an axial direction of the membrane.

Abstract: A photoacoustic gas sensor device for analyzing gas includes an emitter module and a pressure-sensitive module. The emitter module is arranged on a carrier substrate and emits light pulses. The pressure-sensitive module is arranged on the carrier substrate within a reference gas volume. The reference gas volume is separated from a volume intended to be filled with a gas to be analyzed. Further, the pressure-sensitive module generates a sensor signal indicating information on an acoustic wave caused by light pulses emitted by the emitter module interacting with a reference gas within the reference gas volume. Additionally, the emitter module is arranged so that light pulses emitted by the emitter module reach the reference gas volume after crossing the volume intended to be filled with the gas to be analyzed.

Abstract: A gas analyzer may include: a gas chamber configured to receive a gas to be analyzed therein, a radiation source configured to emit electromagnetic radiation into the gas chamber, the electromagnetic radiation being adapted to selectively excite gas molecules of a specific type that is to be detected in the gas received in the gas chamber, a collimator configured to collimate the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the radiation source, and a sensor configured to detect a physical quantity indicative of a degree of interaction between the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the radiation source and the gas to be analyzed.

Abstract: A fluid sensor includes a housing and a thermal emitter in the housing to emit first thermal radiation into a detection volume of the housing at a first power level during a measurement interval and emit the first thermal radiation at a reduced first power level or not emit said first thermal radiation at all during an intermediate interval disposed outside of the measurement interval. The fluid sensor includes a measuring element in the detection volume to receive a radiation signal during the measurement interval. The fluid sensor includes a second thermal emitter in the housing to emit second thermal radiation at a second power level into the detection volume during the intermediate interval such that a thermal oscillation of thermal radiation in relation to an overall power level of the thermal radiation in the detection volume is at most ±50% during the measurement interval and the intermediate interval.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a MEMS device is disclosed. Moreover a MEMS device and a module including a MEMS device are disclosed. An embodiment includes a method for manufacturing MEMS devices includes forming a MEMS stack over a first main surface of a substrate, forming a polymer layer over a second main surface of the substrate and forming a first opening in the polymer layer and the substrate such that the first opening abuts the MEMS stack.

Abstract: A microelectromechanical loudspeaker may include: a plurality of elementary loudspeakers each including a drive unit and a diaphragm deflectable by the drive unit, and a controller configured to respectively supply control signals to the drive units. The drive units may be respectively configured to deflect the corresponding diaphragms according to the respective control signals supplied by the controller to generate acoustic waves. The control signal supplied to at least one control unit may have at least one local extremum and a global extremum of a curvature of the control signal with a highest absolute value of the curvature may be located at a position of the control signal preceding a position of the at least one local extremum of the control signal.

Abstract: Shown is a wafer arrangement for a gas sensor including a first substrate and a sescond substrate. The first substrate includes a MEMS membrane associated with a sensor element and an emitter element configured to emit electromagnetic radiation. The second substrate is arranged on top of the first substrate and defines at least a portion of a chamber disposed adjacent to the MEMS membrane.