Abstract: A switching device includes first and second RF terminals disposed over a substrate, one or more strips of phase change material connected between the first and second RF terminals, a region of thermally insulating material that separates the one or more strips of phase change material from the substrate, and a heater structure comprising one or more heating elements that are configured to control a conductive connection between the first and second RF terminals by applying heat to the one or more strips of phase change material. Each of the one or more strips of phase change material includes a first outer face and a second outer face opposite from the first outer face. For each of the one or more strips of phase change material, at least portions of both of the first and second outer faces are disposed against one of the heating elements.

Abstract: An integrated circuit is provided. The integrated circuit includes a transistor, a first metallization layer above the transistor and electrically connected to the transistor, and a phase change switch. At least a part of the phase change switch is provided below the first metallization layer. The first metallization layer is provided laterally adjacent to the phase change switch. Moreover, a method is provided for manufacturing an integrated circuit. Further provided is a wafer for manufacturing an integrated circuit, and a method for manufacturing a wafer for manufacturing an integrated circuit.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a method for producing a graphene-based sensor includes providing a carrier substrate; forming a carrier structure on the carrier substrate, wherein one or more separating structures are formed on an upper side of the carrier structure; and performing a wet chemical transfer of a graphene layer onto the upper side of the carrier structure that comprises the separating structures, where the separating structures and a tear strength of the graphene layer are matched to one another such that the graphene layer respectively tears at the separating structures during the wet chemical transfer.

Abstract: A radiation source for obliquely launching a narrowband electromagnetic radiation into a cavity, comprises an emitter structure having a main radiation emission region for emitting the narrowband electromagnetic radiation, wherein the emitter structure is optically coupled to the cavity, and a layer element coupled to the main radiation emission region of the emitter structure, wherein the layer element comprises a radiation deflection structure configured for deflecting the radiation emission characteristic of the emitter structure with respect to the surface normal of the main radiation emission region of the emitter structure.

Abstract: A photoacoustic gas analyzer, including: a gas chamber to receive a gas to be analyzed; a radiation source that emits into the gas chamber electromagnetic radiation with a time-varying intensity to excite gas molecules of N mutually different gas types the concentrations of which are to be determined in the received gas, wherein the radiation source is operable in N mutually different modes, each mode having a unique emission spectrum different from the emission spectra of the other N?1 modes; an acoustic-wave sensor that detects acoustic waves generated by the electromagnetic radiation emitted into the gas to be analyzed; and a control unit to operate the radiation source in the different modes respectively to emit electromagnetic radiation with a time-varying intensity; to receive in each mode from the acoustic-wave sensor signals; and to determine from the signals received in each mode the concentrations of the N mutually different gas types.

Abstract: The present disclosure concerns an emitter package for a photoacoustic sensor, the emitter package comprising a MEMS infrared radiation source for emitting pulsed infrared radiation in a first wavelength range. The MEMS infrared radiation source may be arranged on a substrate. The emitter package may further comprise a rigid wall structure being arranged on the substrate and laterally surrounding a periphery of the MEMS infrared radiation source. The emitter package may further comprise a lid structure being attached to the rigid wall structure, the lid structure comprising a filter structure for filtering the infrared radiation emitted from the MEMS infrared radiation source and for providing a filtered infrared radiation in a reduced second wavelength range.

Abstract: A light emitter device includes an emitter component including a heater structure arranged on a membrane structure. The membrane structure is located above a first cavity. Additionally, the first cavity is located between the membrane structure and at least a portion of a supporting substrate of the emitter component. Further, the heater structure is configured to emit light, if a predefined current flows through the heater structure. Additionally, the light emitter device includes a lid substrate having a recess. The lid substrate is attached to the emitter component so that the recess forms a second cavity between the membrane structure and the lid substrate. Further, a pressure in the second cavity is less than 100 mbar.

Abstract: A detector cell for a photoacoustic gas sensor comprises a first layer structure, a second layer structure arranged at the first layer structure and comprising a membrane structure, and a third layer structure arranged at the second layer structure. The first layer structure and the third layer structure hermetically enclose a cavity, wherein the membrane structure is arranged in the cavity.

Abstract: A MEMS photoacoustic gas sensor includes a first membrane and a second membrane opposing the first membrane and spaced apart from the first membrane by a sensing volume. The MEMS photoacoustic gas sensor includes an electromagnetic source and communication with the sensing volume to deflect the first membrane and the second membrane.

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 sensor element includes a membrane structure suspended on a frame structure, wherein the membrane structure includes a membrane element and an actuator. The membrane structure is deflectable in a first stable deflection state and in a second stable deflection state and is operable in a resonance mode in at least one of the first and the second stable deflection states. The actuator is configured to deflect the membrane structure in a first actuation state into one of the first and the second stable deflection states, and to operate the membrane structure in a second actuation state in a resonance mode having an associated resonance frequency.

Abstract: A MEMS component includes a MEMS sound transducer having a membrane structure and an assigned counterelectrode structure, and a circuit unit, which is electrically coupled to the MEMS sound transducer and which in a first operating mode of the MEMS sound transducer in the audio frequency range detects an audio output signal of the MEMS sound transducer on the basis of a deflection of the membrane structure relative to the counterelectrode structure, the deflection being brought about by an acoustic sound pressure change, and in a second operating mode of the MEMS sound transducer in the ultrasonic frequency range to drive and read the MEMS sound transducer as an ultrasonic transceiver.

Abstract: A photoacoustic gas analyzer, including: a gas chamber to receive a gas to be analyzed; a radiation source that emits into the gas chamber electromagnetic radiation with a time-varying intensity to excite gas molecules of N mutually different gas types the concentrations of which are to be determined in the received gas, wherein the radiation source is operable in N mutually different modes, each mode having a unique emission spectrum different from the emission spectra of the other N-1 modes; an acoustic-wave sensor that detects acoustic waves generated by the electromagnetic radiation emitted into the gas to be analyzed; and a control unit to operate the radiation source in the different modes respectively to emit electromagnetic radiation with a time-varying intensity; to receive in each mode from the acoustic-wave sensor signals; and to determine from the signals received in each mode the concentrations of the N mutually different gas types.

Abstract: A photoacoustic gas analyzer including a gas chamber to receive a gas sample, a radiation source to emit an electromagnetic radiation adapted to excite N different types of gas molecules in the gas sample, the concentrations of which are to be determined, an acoustic-wave sensor to detect acoustic waves generated by the irradiated gas, and a control unit. The control unit controls the radiation source to emit electromagnetic radiation with a time-varying intensity and to modulate the frequency at which the intensity is varied with a modulation signal having at least N different values, to receive from the acoustic-wave sensor signals indicative of acoustic waves generated by the irradiated gas, to determine at least N mutually different signal amplitudes each associated with a respective N mutually different frequencies at which the intensity of the emitted electromagnetic radiation is varied, and to determine the concentrations of the N different gas types.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a method for producing a graphene-based sensor includes providing a carrier substrate; forming a carrier structure on the carrier substrate, wherein one or more separating structures are formed on an upper side of the carrier structure; and performing a wet chemical transfer of a graphene layer onto the upper side of the carrier structure that comprises the separating structures, where the separating structures and a tear strength of the graphene layer are matched to one another such that the graphene layer respectively tears at the separating structures during the wet chemical transfer.

Abstract: A method for measuring the concentration of a gas includes heating a first gas with a pulse of light, the pulse of light having a wavelength absorbed by the first gas, wherein the first gas exerts pressure on a flexible membrane. The method includes receiving a first signal indicating a first deflection of the membrane, wherein the first deflection is due to a change in pressure of the first gas and receiving a second signal indicating a second deflection of the membrane occurring after the first signal, wherein the second deflection is due to the change in pressure of the first gas. The method includes determining a difference between the first signal and the second signal and, based on the difference between the first signal and the second signal, determining a first concentration of the first gas.

Abstract: A method for measuring the concentration of a gas includes heating a first gas with a pulse of light, the pulse of light having a wavelength absorbed by the first gas, wherein the first gas exerts pressure on a flexible membrane. The method includes receiving a first signal indicating a first deflection of the membrane, wherein the first deflection is due to a change in pressure of the first gas and receiving a second signal indicating a second deflection of the membrane occurring after the first signal, wherein the second deflection is due to the change in pressure of the first gas. The method includes determining a difference between the first signal and the second signal and, based on the difference between the first signal and the second signal, determining a first concentration of the first gas.

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 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.