Abstract: A microfabricated structure includes a perforated stator; a first isolation layer on a first surface of the perforated stator; a second isolation layer on a second surface of the perforated stator; a first membrane on the first isolation layer; a second membrane on the second isolation layer; and a pillar coupled between the first membrane and the second membrane, wherein the first isolation layer includes a first tapered edge portion having a common surface with the first membrane, wherein the second isolation layer includes a first tapered edge portion having a common surface with the second membrane, and wherein an endpoint of the first tapered edge portion of the first isolation layer is laterally offset with respect to an endpoint of the first tapered edge portion of the second isolation layer.

Abstract: A MEMS device comprises a first membrane structure having a reinforcement region formed from one piece of the first membrane structure, wherein the reinforcement region has a larger layer thickness than an adjoining region of the first membrane structure. The MEMS device includes an electrode structure, wherein the electrode structure is vertically spaced apart from the first membrane structure.

Abstract: A MEMS device includes a first deflectable membrane structure, a rigid electrode structure and a second deflectable membrane structure in a vertically spaced configuration. The rigid electrode structure is arranged between the first and second deflectable membrane structures. The first and second deflectable membrane structures each includes a deflectable portion, and the deflectable portions of the first and second deflectable membrane structures are mechanically coupled by mechanical connection elements to each other and are mechanically decoupled from the rigid electrode structure. At least a subset of the mechanical connection elements are elongated mechanical connection elements.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes oxidizing a substrate to form local oxide regions that extend above a top surface of the substrate. A membrane layer is formed over the local oxide regions and the top surface of the substrate. A portion of the substrate under the membrane layer is removed. The local oxide regions under the membrane layer are removed.

Abstract: A thermal emitter includes a freestanding membrane supported by a substrate, wherein the freestanding membrane includes in a lateral extension a center section, a conductive intermediate section and a border section, wherein the conductive intermediate section laterally surrounds the center section and is electrically isolated from the center section, the conductive intermediate section including a conductive semiconductor material that is encapsulated in an insulating material, wherein the border section at least partially surrounds the intermediate section and is electrically isolated from the conductive intermediate section, and wherein a perforation is formed through the border section.

Abstract: A microfabricated structure includes a perforated stator; a first isolation layer on a first surface of the perforated stator; a second isolation layer on a second surface of the perforated stator; a first membrane on the first isolation layer; a second membrane on the second isolation layer; and a pillar coupled between the first membrane and the second membrane, wherein the first isolation layer includes a first tapered edge portion having a common surface with the first membrane, wherein the second isolation layer includes a first tapered edge portion having a common surface with the second membrane, and wherein an endpoint of the first tapered edge portion of the first isolation layer is laterally offset with respect to an endpoint of the first tapered edge portion of the second isolation layer.

Abstract: A microfabricated structure includes a perforated stator; a first isolation layer on a first surface of the perforated stator; a second isolation layer on a second surface of the perforated stator; a first membrane on the first isolation layer; a second membrane on the second isolation layer; and a pillar coupled between the first membrane and the second membrane, wherein the first isolation layer includes a first tapered edge portion having a common surface with the first membrane, wherein the second isolation layer includes a first tapered edge portion having a common surface with the second membrane, and wherein an endpoint of the first tapered edge portion of the first isolation layer is laterally offset with respect to an endpoint of the first tapered edge portion of the second isolation layer.

Abstract: A sensor includes a membrane electrode, a counter-electrode, and at least one spring. The sensor can include a structure; a membrane electrode, which is deformable as a consequence of pressure and which is in contact with the structure; a counter-electrode mechanically connected to the structure and separated from the membrane electrode by a gap; and at least one spring mechanically connected to the membrane electrode and the counter-electrode, so as to exert an elastic force between the membrane electrode and the counter-electrode.

Abstract: A micro electrical mechanical systems (MEMS) device includes a flexible membrane disposed over a substrate, and a first backplate disposed over the flexible membrane. The first backplate includes a first plurality of bumps facing the flexible membrane. The MEMS device further includes a plurality of features disposed at the flexible membrane, where each of the plurality of features being associated with a corresponding one of the first plurality of bumps.

Abstract: A thermal emitter includes a freestanding membrane supported by a substrate, wherein the freestanding membrane includes in a lateral extension a center section, a conductive intermediate section and a border section, wherein the conductive intermediate section laterally surrounds the center section and is electrically isolated from the center section, the conductive intermediate section including a conductive semiconductor material that is encapsulated in an insulating material, wherein the border section at least partially surrounds the intermediate section and is electrically isolated from the conductive intermediate section, and wherein a perforation is formed through the border section.

Abstract: For manufacturing a sound transducer structure, membrane support material is applied on a first main surface of a membrane carrier material and membrane material is applied in a sound transducing region and an edge region on a surface of the membrane support material. In addition, counter electrode support material is applied on a surface of the membrane material and recesses are formed in the sound transducing region of the membrane material. Counter electrode material is applied to the counter electrode support material and membrane carrier material and membrane support material are removed in the sound transducing region to the membrane material.

Abstract: In accordance with one exemplary embodiment, a production method for a double-membrane MEMS component comprises the following steps: providing a layer arrangement on a carrier substrate, wherein the layer arrangement has a first and second membrane structure spaced apart from one another and a counterelectrode structure arranged therebetween, wherein a sacrificial material is arranged in an intermediate region between the counterelectrode structure and the first and second membrane structures respectively spaced apart therefrom, and wherein the first membrane structure has an opening structure to the intermediate region with the sacrificial material and partly removing the sacrificial material from the intermediate region in order to obtain a mechanical connection structure comprising the sacrificial material between the first and second membrane structures, which mechanical connection structure is mechanically coupled between the first and second membrane structures and is mechanically decoupled from the cou

Abstract: According to an embodiment, a microspeaker includes an acoustic micropump structure configured to pump at a first frequency above an upper audible frequency limit. The acoustic micropump structure is further configured to generate an acoustic signal having a second frequency by adjusting the pumping. Adjusting the pumping includes adjusting a direction of pumping for the acoustic micropump structure according to the second frequency. Adjusting the direction of pumping includes changing a direction of flow of an elastic medium through the acoustic micropump structure from a first direction to a second direction. The second frequency is below the upper audible frequency limit.

Abstract: A microfabricated structure includes a deflectable membrane, a first clamping layer on a first surface of the deflectable membrane, a second clamping layer on a second surface of the deflectable membrane, a first perforated backplate on the first clamping layer, and a second perforated backplate on the second clamping layer, wherein the first clamping layer comprises a first tapered edge portion having a negative slope between the first perforated backplate and the deflectable membrane.

Abstract: A microfabricated structure includes a deflectable membrane, a first clamping layer on a first surface of the deflectable membrane, a second clamping layer on a second surface of the deflectable membrane, a first perforated backplate on the first clamping layer, and a second perforated backplate on the second clamping layer, wherein the first clamping layer comprises a first tapered edge portion having a negative slope between the first perforated backplate and the deflectable membrane.

Abstract: A microfabricated structure includes a deflectable membrane, a first clamping layer on a first surface of the deflectable membrane, a second clamping layer on a second surface of the deflectable membrane, a first perforated backplate on the first clamping layer, and a second perforated backplate on the second clamping layer, wherein the first clamping layer comprises a first tapered edge portion having a negative slope between the first perforated backplate and the deflectable membrane.

Abstract: A micro electrical mechanical systems (MEMS) device includes a flexible membrane disposed over a substrate, and a first backplate disposed over the flexible membrane. The first backplate includes a first plurality of bumps facing the flexible membrane. The MEMS device further includes a plurality of features disposed at the flexible membrane, where each of the plurality of features being associated with a corresponding one of the first plurality of bumps.

Abstract: A MEMS device includes a backplate electrode and a membrane disposed spaced apart from the backplate electrode. The membrane includes a displaceable portion and a fixed portion. The backplate electrode and the membrane are arranged such that an overlapping area of the fixed portion of the membrane with the backplate electrode is less than maximum overlapping.

Abstract: A sensor includes a membrane electrode, a counter-electrode, and at least one spring. The sensor can include a structure; a membrane electrode, which is deformable as a consequence of pressure and which is in contact with the structure; a counter-electrode mechanically connected to the structure and separated from the membrane electrode by a gap; and at least one spring mechanically connected to the membrane electrode and the counter-electrode, so as to exert an elastic force between the membrane electrode and the counter-electrode.

Abstract: A MEMS device includes a backplate electrode and a membrane disposed spaced apart from the backplate electrode. The membrane includes a displaceable portion and a fixed portion. The backplate electrode and the membrane are arranged such that an overlapping area of the fixed portion of the membrane with the backplate electrode is less than maximum overlapping.