Abstract: A semiconductor substrate can be patterned to define a trench and a feature. In an embodiment, the trench can be formed such that after filling the trench with a material, a bottom portion of the filled trench may be exposed during a substrate thinning operation. In another embodiment, the trench can be filled with a thermal oxide. The feature can have a shape that reduces the likelihood that a distance between the feature and a wall of the trench will be changed during subsequent processing. A structure can be at least partly formed within the trench, wherein the structure can have a relatively large area by taking advantage of the depth of the trench. The structure can be useful for making electronic components, such as passive components and through-substrate vias. The process sequence to define the trenches and form the structures can be tailored for many different process flows.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a semiconductor device is formed having a trench structure. The trench structure includes a single crystalline semiconductor plug formed along exposed upper surfaces of the trench. In one embodiment, the single crystalline semiconductor plug seals the trench to form a sealed core.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the ESD device uses highly doped P and N regions deep within the ESD device to form a zener diode that has a controlled breakdown voltage.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a semiconductor device is formed having a trench structure. The trench structure includes a single crystalline semiconductor plug formed along exposed upper surfaces of the trench. In one embodiment, the single crystalline semiconductor plug seals the trench to form a sealed core.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a semiconductor device is formed having a trench structure. The trench structure includes a single crystalline semiconductor plug formed along exposed upper surfaces of the trench. In one embodiment, the single crystalline semiconductor plug seals the trench to form a sealed core.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an ESD device is configured to include a zener diode and a P-N diode and to have a conductor that provides a current path between the zener diode and the P-N diode.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an ESD device is configured to include a zener diode and a P-N diode and to have a conductor that provides a current path between the zener diode and the P-N diode.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a semiconductor device is formed having a trench structure. The trench structure includes a single crystalline semiconductor plug formed along exposed upper surfaces of the trench. In one embodiment, the single crystalline semiconductor plug seals the trench to form a sealed core.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an ESD device is configured to include a zener diode and a P-N diode and to have a conductor that provides a current path between the zener diode and the P-N diode.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an ESD device is configured to include a zener diode and a P-N diode.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the ESD device uses highly doped P and N regions deep within the ESD device to form a zener diode that has a controlled breakdown voltage.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the ESD device uses highly doped P and N regions deep within the ESD device to form a zener diode that has a controlled breakdown voltage.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an ESD device is configured to include a zener diode and a P-N diode.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the ESD device uses highly doped P and N regions deep within the ESD device to form a zener diode that has a controlled breakdown voltage.

Abstract: A micro electro-mechanical systems device having variable capacitance is controllable over the full dynamic range and not subject to the “snap effect” common in the prior art. The device features an electrostatic driver (120) having a driver capacitor of fixed capacitance (121) in series with a second driver capacitor of variable capacitance (126). A MEMS variable capacitor (130) is controlled by applying an actuation voltage potential to the electrostatic driver (120). The electrostatic driver (120) and MEMS variable capacitor (130) are integrated in a single, monolithic device.

Abstract: A Micro-Electromechanical Systems (MEMS) device (100) having conductively filled vias (141). A MEMS component (124) is formed on a substrate (110). The substrate has conductively filled vias (140) extending therethrough. The MEMS component (124) is electrically coupled to the conductively filled vias (140). The MEMS component (124) is covered by a protective cap (150). An electrical interconnect (130) is formed on a bottom surface of the substrate (110) for transmission of electrical signals to the MEMS component (124), rather than using wirebonds.

Abstract: A micro electro-mechanical systems device having variable capacitance is controllable over the full dynamic range and not subject to the “snap effect” common in the prior art. The device features an electrostatic driver (120) having a driver capacitor of fixed capacitance (121) in series with a second driver capacitor of variable capacitance (126). A MEMS variable capacitor (130) is controlled by applying an actuation voltage potential to the electrostatic driver (120). The electrostatic driver (120) and MEMS variable capacitor (130) are integrated in a single, monolithic device.

Abstract: A micro electromechanical systems device having variable capacitance is controllable over the full dynamic range and not subject to the “snap effect” common in the prior art. The device features an electrostatic driver (120) having a driver capacitor of fixed capacitance (121) in series with a second driver capacitor of variable capacitance (126). A MEMS variable capacitor (130) is controlled by applying an actuation voltage potential to the electrostatic driver (120). The electrostatic driver (120) and MEMS variable capacitor (130) are integrated in a single, monolithic device.

Abstract: A Micro-Electromechanical System (MEMS) switch (100) having a single, center hinge (120) which supports a membrane-type electrode (104) on a substrate (101). The single, center hinge (120) has a control electrode (104) coupled to the substrate (101) by an anchor (113), a hinge collar (121), a set of hinge arms (122, 123). The control electrode (104) has a shorting bar (106) coupled thereto and is electrically isolated from another control electrode (105), which is formed on the substrate (101). A travel stop (130) is positioned between the substrate and the control electrode (104). Another aspect of the present invention is a Single Pole, Double Throw (SPDT) switch (160) into which is incorporated the single, center hinge (170) and the travel stop (185, 186).