Abstract: In a method for manufacturing a semiconductor pressure sensor, after a reference pressure chamber is formed inside a semiconductor substrate and a diaphragm is formed from a part of the semiconductor substrate, a heat treatment is performed to form an insulation film, an element, or the like on the semiconductor substrate. At that time, a heat treatment temperature is controlled to be lower than (−430P0+1430)° C. where P0 is an internal pressure (atm) of the reference pressure chamber at a room temperature. Accordingly, crystal defects can be prevented from being produced in the diaphragm.

Abstract: A semiconductor pressure sensor includes a SOI substrate composed of first and second silicon substrates. A diaphragm portion is formed by the first silicon substrate as a bottom of a recess portion formed in the second silicon substrate. Strain gauges are formed on the diaphragm portion, and a circuit portion is formed on the first silicon substrate at a region other than the diaphragm portion. ALOCOS film for isolating the strain gauges from the circuit portion is formed on the first silicon substrate outside the outermost peripheral portion of the diaphragm portion.

Abstract: A semiconductor acceleration sensor, which prevents an adhesion of a movable portion to a fixed portion due to an electrostatic force generated during being handled. The acceleration sensor has a sensor portion and a handling portion. The sensor portion has a first semiconductor layer; a movable portion including a weight portion supported to the first semiconductor layer for moving in accordance with an acceleration externally applied thereto and movable electrodes integrally formed with the weight portion; and fixed electrodes having a detection surface confronted to a detection surface of the movable electrodes and supported to the first semiconductor layer. The handling portion is to be contacted during being handled, and is provided at surrounding portion of the sensor portion with a trench interposed therebetween. The sensor portion is electrically insulated from the handling portion by the trench.

Abstract: In a method for producing a semiconductor dynamic sensor, an anisotropic etching mask is formed on a (100) crystal orientation silicon substrate with a main portion and form-compensation portions formed at the corners of the main portion. Each of the form-compensation portions has a rectangular shape with a long side and a short side. Further, one of the long and short sides of the etching mask stretches in the <011> direction of the silicon substrate, and the other side stretches in the <0{overscore (1)}1> direction of the silicon substrate. As a result, the silicon substrate can be etched into a predetermined shape without making large corner-undercut portions on a nonetched portion corresponding to the main portion of the mask.

Abstract: An acceleration sensor has a ring-shaped movable electrode connected to an anchor part via beams and a fixed electrode facing the ring-shaped movable electrode defining a specific interval, which are disposed on a substrate. The movable electrode is displaced by acceleration approximately in parallel to the substrate and contacts the fixed electrode, so that the acceleration is detected. The fixed electrode is divided into a detecting fixed electrode for contacting the movable electrode and a sensitivity controlling fixed electrode insulated from the detecting fixed electrode. Accordingly, potential differences between the movable electrode and the detecting fixed electrode and between the movable electrode and the sensitivity controlling fixed electrode are independently controlled to control sensitivity of acceleration.

Abstract: A semiconductor sensor has gauge resistors. The gauge resistors connect with aluminum electrodes through contact holes, and form a bridge circuit. The gauge resistors are formed on each chip area of a semiconductor substrate before dicing the chip areas. Then, the resistances of the gauge resistors or the output of the bridge circuit are measured. Contact positions of the gauge resistors or the size and/or shape of the contact holes are adjusted based on the result of the measurement in order to adjust the offset voltage of the bridge circuit formed on each chip area.

Abstract: In a method for producing a semiconductor dynamic sensor, an anisotropic etching mask is formed on a (100) crystal orientation silicon substrate with a main portion and form-compensation portions formed at the corners of the main portion. Each of the form-compensation portions has a rectangular shape with a long side and a short side. Further, one of the long and short sides of the etching mask stretches in the [011] direction of the silicon substrate, and the other side stretches in the [011] direction of the silicon substrate. As a result, the silicon substrate can be etched into a predetermined shape without making large corner-undercut portions on a non-etched portion corresponding to the main portion of the mask.

Abstract: A mass portion of a movable portion is supported by an anchor portion protruding from a substrate through a beam portion. A stopper portion fixed to the substrate through another anchor portion is disposed on a side opposite to the mass portion with respect to the beam portion to define a gap with the beam portion. The stopper portion is electrically connected to the beam portion through the anchor portions. Accordingly, the movable portion is restricted from being displaced in a direction generally parallel to a surface of the substrate, and a movable electrode of the movable portion is prevented from being attached to the fixed electrode.

Abstract: A semiconductor strain sensor has a gauge forming region on a p-type substrate surrounded by a p-type isolation region that reaches the p-type substrate. The p-type substrate is etched so that the entire bottom surface of the gauge forming region is covered by the p-type substrate, and the p-type substrate or p-type isolation region is not exposed to the etched recess portion or isolation groove, each of which have a relatively high number of defects. Thus, leakage current at the PN junction can be decreased to decrease a variation in the potential of the gauge forming region.