Abstract: A method of forming a focal plane array by: preparing a first wafer having sensing material provided on a surface, which is covered by a sacrificial layer; preparing a second wafer including read-out integrated circuit and a contact pad, which is covered by another sacrificial layer into which are formed support legs in contact with the contact pad, the support legs being covered with a further sacrificial layer; bonding the sacrificial layers of the first and second wafers together such that the sensing material is transferred from the first wafer to the second wafer when a sacrificial bulk layer of the first wafer is removed; defining a pixel in the sensing material and forming a conductive via through the pixel for providing a connection between an uppermost surface of the pixel and the supporting legs; and removing the sacrificial layers to release the pixel, with the supporting legs underneath it.

Abstract: A micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) structure for an angular rate sensor includes seismic masses arranged to have a first degree of rotational freedom about an axis that is substantially perpendicular to the plane of a silicon substrate, and a second degree of rotational freedom about an axis substantially coincident with the longitudinal axis of driving beams to which the seismic masses are attached. A sensing system is arranged such that, when the structure is subjected to an angular velocity around a third axis that is substantially in the plane of the silicon substrate and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the beams, a Coriolis force arises which causes the secondary oscillation of the seismic masses.

Abstract: A method for providing hermetic sealing within a silicon-insulator composite wafer for manufacturing a hermetically sealed structure, comprising the steps of: patterning a first silicon wafer to have one or more recesses that extend at least partially through the first silicon wafer; filling said recesses with an insulator material able to be anodically bonded to silicon to form a first composite wafer having a plurality of silicon-insulator interfaces and a first contacting surface consisting of insulator material; and using an anodic bonding technique on the first contacting surface and an opposing second contacting surface to create hermetic sealing between the silicon-insulator interfaces, wherein the second contacting surface consists of silicon.

Abstract: A method of forming a focal plane array by: forming a first wafer having sensing material provided on a surface, which is covered by a sacrificial layer, the sensing material being a thermistor material defining at least one pixel; providing supporting legs for the pixel within the sacrificial layer, covering them with a further sacrificial layer and forming first conductive portions in the surface of the sacrificial layer that are in contact with the supporting legs; forming a second wafer having read-out integrated circuit (ROIC), the second wafer being covered by another sacrificial layer, into which is formed second conductive portions in contact with the ROIC; bringing the sacrificial oxide layers of the first wafer and second wafer together such that the first and second conductive portions are aligned and bonding them together such that the sensing material is transferred from the first wafer to the second wafer when a sacrificial bulk layer of the first wafer is removed; and removing the sacrificial l

Abstract: A method of forming a focal plane array by: preparing a first wafer having sensing material provided on a surface, which is covered by a sacrificial layer; preparing a second wafer including read-out integrated circuit and a contact pad, which is covered by another sacrificial layer into which are formed support legs in contact with the contact pad, the support legs being covered with a further sacrificial layer; bonding the sacrificial layers of the first and second wafers together such that the sensing material is transferred from the first wafer to the second wafer when a sacrificial bulk layer of the first wafer is removed; defining a pixel in the sensing material and forming a conductive via through the pixel for providing a connection between an uppermost surface of the pixel and the supporting legs; and removing the sacrificial layers to release the pixel, with the supporting legs underneath it.

Abstract: A method for providing hermetic sealing within a silicon-insulator composite wafer for manufacturing a hermetically sealed structure, comprising the steps of: patterning a first silicon wafer to have one or more recesses that extend at least partially through the first silicon wafer; filling said recesses with an insulator material able to be anodically bonded to silicon to form a first composite wafer having a plurality of silicon-insulator interfaces and a first contacting surface consisting of insulator material; and using an anodic bonding technique on the first contacting surface and an opposing second contacting surface to create hermetic sealing between the silicon-insulator interfaces, wherein the second contacting surface consists of silicon.

Abstract: A structure having a gap provided between a portion of two layers that are joined together is disclosed. The structure includes a first layer having an element formed within a first surface and a second layer having a second surface, adjacent to and in direct contact with at least a portion of the first surface on all sides of the element such that the element is completely enclosed. A recess of predetermined depth is arranged to provide the gap between the element and the second surface, and a groove formed in one of the first surface or second surface, the groove defining a boundary around the element. Sealing material is deformedly retained completely within the groove to form a seal around the element, such that the recess defines the gap.

Abstract: A method of forming a focal plane array by: forming a first wafer having sensing material provided on a surface, which is covered by a sacrificial layer, the sensing material being a thermistor material defining at least one pixel; providing supporting legs for the pixel within the sacrificial layer, covering them with a further sacrificial layer and forming first conductive portions in the surface of the sacrificial layer that are in contact with the supporting legs; forming a second wafer having read-out integrated circuit (ROIC), the second wafer being covered by another sacrificial layer, into which is formed second conductive portions in contact with the ROIC; bringing the sacrificial oxide layers of the first wafer and second wafer together such that the first and second conductive portions are aligned and bonding them together such that the sensing material is transferred from the first wafer to the second wafer when a sacrificial bulk layer of the first wafer is removed; and removing the sacrificial l

Abstract: A method of forming a focal plane array by: preparing a first wafer having sensing material provided on a surface, which is covered by a sacrificial layer; preparing a second wafer including read-out integrated circuit and a contact pad, which is covered by another sacrificial layer into which are formed support legs in contact with the contact pad, the support legs being covered with a further sacrificial layer; bonding the sacrificial layers of the first and second wafers together such that the sensing material is transferred from the first wafer to the second wafer when a sacrificial bulk layer of the first wafer is removed; defining a pixel in the sensing material and forming a conductive via through the pixel for providing a connection between an uppermost surface of the pixel and the supporting legs; and removing the sacrificial layers to release the pixel, with the supporting legs underneath it.

Abstract: A micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) structure for an angular rate sensor, the structure being positioned between first and second silicon-insulator composite wafers formed of a plurality of structured silicon parts, electrically isolated from each other by an insulator material, the structure comprising: a mono-crystalline silicon substrate structured to form a sensing system and a frame, the sensing system being completely de-coupled from and surrounded by the frame, which is positioned between engaging surfaces of the first and second composite wafers such that the sensing system is hermetically sealed within a cavity defined by the first and second composite wafers and the frame, the sensing system including: two seismic masses having front and back surfaces; two driving beams, each having a first end attached to a seismic mass and a second end attached to the first and second composite wafers by means of fixed pedestals provided on the silicon substrate; and a bending spring arranged to directly conne

Abstract: A structure having a gap provided between a portion of two layers that are joined together is disclosed. The structure includes a first layer having an element formed within a first surface and a second layer having a second surface, adjacent to and in direct contact with at least a portion of the first surface on all sides of the element such that the element is completely enclosed. A recess of predetermined depth is arranged to provide the gap between the element and the second surface, and a groove formed in one of the first surface or second surface, the groove defining a boundary around the element. Sealing material is deformedly retained completely within the groove to form a seal around the element, such that the recess defines the gap.

Abstract: A micromechanical acceleration switch of silicon or similar materials, comprising a resilient electrode element, a proof mass, a housing and a spring element connecting the electrode element and the proof mass to the housing. The electrode element is mechanically connected adjacent to the proof mass. The proof mass has its centre of gravity located at a given distance from the axis through the spring element, so that when the proof mass is pivoting about the axis of the spring element in response to an externally applied acceleration, with a component in a direction parallel with the first axis. The electrode element also pivots about this axis. The pivot angle being essentially proportional to the magnitude of this component of the acceleration.