Abstract: A method for use in manufacturing a microelectromechanical system, such as a reflective stealth mirror includes the steps of: forming an I-shape mirror structure; forming a spacer layer over the I-shape mirror structure; and patterning the spacer layer to form at least one spacer along a side of the I-shape mirror structure.

Abstract: The present subject matter relates to a method of stripping a photoresist after the photoresist film has been subjected to a high dose and high energy ion implant process. The method involves soaking the photoresist film in DI water, dry etching with oxygen plasma, and immersing in Caro's acid solution to improve the throughput of removing the film from the underlying substrate. The method can also be used to strip photoresist that has been hardened or altered by other types of processes such as dry etch transfer steps and chemical treatments. In some applications, the dry etching step may be omitted from the stripping process or the dry etching step may be combined with the water soak in an integrated process.

Abstract: A new method is provided to create a polysilicon fuse. The invention provides for applying a first oxide plasma treatment to the surface of the created polysilicon fuse, creating a thin layer of native oxide over the surface of the created polysilicon fuse, followed by a DI water rinse. This thin layer of native oxide is made more robust by applying a second oxide plasma treatment to exposed surfaces, this more robust layer of native oxide protects the polysilicon fuse during subsequent processing steps of wet photoresist and polymer removal.

Abstract: A method for releasing a micromechanical structure. A substrate is provided. At least one micromechanical structural layer is provided above the substrate, wherein the micromechanical structural layer is sustained by a sacrificial layer of a silicon material. An amine-based etchant is provided to etch the silicon material. That is, during performing a post-cleaning procedure with an amine-based etchant, polymer residue and the sacrificial layer of silicon can be simultaneously removed without any additional etching processes.

Abstract: A new method is provided to create a polysilicon fuse. The invention provides for applying a first oxide plasma treatment to the surface of the created polysilicon fuse, creating a thin layer of native oxide over the surface of the created polysilicon fuse, followed by a DI water rinse. This thin layer of native oxide is made more robust by applying a second oxide plasma treatment to exposed surfaces, this more robust layer of native oxide protects the polysilicon fuse during subsequent processing steps of wet photoresist and polymer removal.

Abstract: A method for forming a MEMS device using an amorphous silicon layer as a release layer includes etching superjacent films and using the amorphous silicon layer as an etch stop layer. The amorphous silicon layer is resistant to attack during the post-etch solvent stripping operation due to the oxidation of exposed portions of the amorphous silicon layer by use of an oxygen plasma.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for preventing extrusion or spiking of a metal atom from a metallization layer to other layers of a silicon wafer. In one embodiment, the method includes forming a silicon-on-ship device with a MEMS component on the substrate. The MEMS component may include one or more metal or metallic alloys. To prevent spiking from the MEMS component, the sides thereof can be coated with one ore more spacer or barrier layers. In one embodiment, oxygen plasma and thermal oxidation methods are used to deposit spacers. In another embodiment, an oxide layer is deposited over the wafer, covering the substrate and the MEMS component. Selective etching or anisotropic etching can be used to remove the oxide layer from certain regions of the MEMS and the substrate while covering the sidewalls. An amorphous silicon layer can then be deposited to cover the MEMS device.

Abstract: The present subject matter relates to a method of stripping a photoresist after the photoresist film has been subjected to a high dose and high energy ion implant process. The method involves soaking the photoresist film in DI water, dry etching with oxygen plasma, and immersing in Caro's acid solution to improve the throughput of removing the film from the underlying substrate. The method can also be used to strip photoresist that has been hardened or altered by other types of processes such as dry etch transfer steps and chemical treatments. In some applications, the dry etching step may be omitted from the stripping process or the dry etching step may be combined with the water soak in an integrated process.

Abstract: A method for use in manufacturing a microelectromechanical system, such as a reflective stealth mirror includes the steps of: forming an I-shape mirror structure; forming a spacer layer over the I-shape mirror structure; and patterning the spacer layer to form at least one spacer along a side of the I-shape mirror structure.

Abstract: An MEMS mirror structure is formed using an etching process that forms sidewall oxide spacers while maintaining the integrity of the oxide layer formed over the reflective layer of the MEMS mirror structure. The discrete mirror structure is formed to include a reflective layer sandwiched between oxide layers and with a protect layer formed over the upper oxide layer. A spacer oxide layer is formed to cover the structure and oxide spacers are formed on sidewalls of the discrete structure using a selective etch process that is terminated when horizontal portions of the spacer oxide layer have cleared to expose the release layer formed below the discrete mirror structure and the protect layer. The superjacent protect layer prevents the spacer oxide etch process from attacking the upper oxide layer and therefore maintains the integrity of the upper oxide layer and the functionality of the mirror structure.

Abstract: A new method is provided to create a polysilicon fuse. The invention provides for applying a first oxide plasma treatment to the surface of the created polysilicon fuse, creating a thin layer of native oxide over the surface of the created polysilicon fuse, followed by a DI water rinse. This thin layer of native oxide is made more robust by applying a second oxide plasma treatment to exposed surfaces, this more robust layer of native oxide protects the polysilicon fuse during subsequent processing steps of wet photoresist and polymer removal.

Abstract: A method for removing polymer containing residues from a semiconductor wafer including metal containing features including providing a semiconductor wafer having a process surface including metal containing features said process surface at least partially covered with polymer containing residues; and, subjecting the semiconductor wafer to a series of cleaning steps including sequentially exposing the process surface to at least one primary solvent and at least one intermediate solvent the at least one intermediate solvent comprising an ammonium nitrate containing solution.

Abstract: A device is described for accurately transferring multiple individual fluids from multiple source containers into a single receiving container. Fluid flows from the multiple source containers through individual fluid conduits to a chamber having a single fluid outlet conduit. The fluid outlet conduit is in fluid communication with a single receiving container. A pressure conduit is in communication with the chamber for alternately creating positive and negative pressures in the chamber to cause fluid to flow from the individual source containers into the chamber, and to cause fluid to flow from the chamber into the receiving container in response to commands from a control means in the device.