Abstract: An optocoupler device facilitates on-chip galvanic isolation. In accordance with various example embodiments, an optocoupler circuit includes a silicon-on-insulator substrate having a silicon layer on a buried insulator layer, a silicon-based light-emitting diode (LED) having a silicon p-n junction in the silicon layer, and a silicon-based photodetector in the silicon layer. The LED and photodetector are respectively connected to galvanically isolated circuits in the silicon layer. A local oxidation of silicon (LOCOS) isolation material and the buried insulator layer galvanically isolate the first circuit from the second circuit to prevent charge carriers from moving between the first and second circuits. The LED and photodetector communicate optically to pass signals between the galvanically isolated circuits.

Abstract: A MEMS resonator, comprising a planar resonator body formed of two different materials with opposite sign temperature coefficient of Young's modulus. A first portion of one material extends across the full thickness of the resonator body. This provides a design which allows reduced temperature drift.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a MEMS device comprises forming a MEMS device element 14. A sacrificial layer 20 is provided over the device element and a package cover layer 24 is provided over the sacrificial layer. A spacer layer 13 is formed over the sacrificial layer and is etched to define spacer portions adjacent an outer side wall of the sacrificial layer. These improve the hermetic sealing of the side walls of the cover layer 24.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device comprising a substrate carrying a microscopic structure in a cavity capped by a capping layer including a material of formula SiNxHy, wherein x>1.33 and y>0. A method of forming such a device is also disclosed.

Abstract: A piezo-resistive MEMS resonator comprising an anchor, a resonator mounted on the anchor, an actuator mounted to apply an electrostatic force on the resonator and a piezo-resistive read-out means comprising a nanowire coupled to the resonator.

Abstract: A method of packaging a micro electro-mechanical structure comprises forming said structure on a substrate; depositing a sacrificial layer over said structure; patterning the sacrificial layer; depositing a SIPOS (semi-insulating polycrystalline silicon) layer over the patterned sacrificial layer; treating the SIPOS layer with an etchant to convert the SIPOS layer into a porous SIPOS layer, removing the patterned sacrificial layer through the porous layer SIPOS to form a cavity including said structure; and sealing the porous SIPOS layer. A device including such a packaged micro electro-mechanical structure is also disclosed.

Abstract: A power semiconductor device comprises a conductive gate, provided in an upper part of a trench (11) formed in a semiconductor substrate (1), and a conductive field plate, extending in the trench, parallel to the conductive gate, to a depth greater that the conductive gate. The field plate is insulated from the walls and bottom of the trench by a field plate insulating layer that is thicker than the gate insulating layer. In one embodiment, the field plate is insulated within the trench from the gate. Impurity doped regions of a first conductivity type are provided at the surface of the substrate adjacent the first and second sides of the trench and form source and drain regions, and a body region (7) of second conductivity type is formed under the source region on the first side of the trench (11). The conductive gate is insulated from the body region (7) by a gate insulating layer. A method of making the semiconductor device is compatible with conventional CMOS processes.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a structure (1100), the method comprising forming a cap element (401) on a substrate (101), removing material (103) of the substrate (101) below the cap element (401) to thereby form a gap (802) between the cap element (401) and the substrate (101), and rearranging material of the cap element (401) and/or of the substrate (101) to thereby merge the cap element (401) and the substrate (101) to bridge the gap (802).

Abstract: A MEMS resonator, comprising a planar resonator body formed of two different materials with opposite sign temperature coefficient of Young's modulus. A first portion of one material extends across the full thickness of the resonator body. This provides a design which allows reduced temperature drift.

Abstract: A method of packaging a micro electromechanical structure is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of forming the structure on a substrate, depositing a sacrificial layer over the structure, patterning the sacrificial layer, depositing a porous layer over the patterned sacrificial layer, removing the patterned sacrificial layer through the porous layer, treating the porous layer with a plasma and depositing a capping layer over the plasma-treated porous layer. The plasma treatment step ensures that the capping layer material cannot enter the cavity formed by the removal of the sacrificial layer through the porous layer. A device formed by this method is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a micro-device with a cavity (50), the micro-device comprising a substrate (10, 110), the method comprising steps of: A) providing the substrate (10, 110), having a surface and comprising a sacrificial oxide region (20, 107, 115) at the surface ( ); B) covering the sacrificial oxide region (20, 107, 115) with a porous layer (40, 114, 124) being permeable to a vapor HF etchant (100), and C) selectively etching the sacrificial oxide region (20, 107, 115) through the porous layer (40, 114, 124) using the vapor HF etchant (100) to obtain the cavity (50). This method may be used in the manufacture of various micro-devices with a cavity (50), i.e. MEMS devices, and in particular in the encapsulation part thereof, and semiconductor devices, and in particular the BEOL-part thereof.