Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of fabricating a micromachined CMOS-MEMS integrated device as well as the devices/apparatus resulting from the method. In the disclosed method, the anisotropic etching (e.g., DRIE) for isolation trench formation on a MEMS element is performed on the back side of a silicon wafer, thereby avoiding the trench sidewall contamination and the screen effect of the isolation beams in a plasma etching process. In an embodiment, a layered wafer including a substrate and a composite thin film thereon is subjected to at least one (optionally at least two) back side anisotropic etching step to form an isolation trench (and optionally a substrate membrane). The method overcomes drawbacks of other microfabrication processes, including isolation trench sidewall contamination.

Abstract: A microelectromechanical sensor device package includes a substrate, a microelectromechanical sensor device and a cap. The substrate has a surface on which a circuit pattern having a plurality of first conductive contacts is provided. The device is mounted on the surface of the substrate and has an active surface on which a plurality of second conductive contacts are provided. A plurality of bonding wires are used to electrically connect the first conductive contacts to the second conductive contacts respectively. The cap is made of an electrically insulating material and attached on the surface of the substrate in a way that the cap covers the microelectromechanical sensor device and a space is formed between the cap and the microelectromechanical sensor device.

Abstract: A pattern arrangement method including using a stepper to arrange a plurality of chip patterns arranged parallel to a first direction and a second direction on a silicon wafer using a reticule which includes a plurality of patterns expanded in the first direction and the second direction which intersects the first direction and arranged linearly and intermittently, wherein the stepper adjusts the position of the reticule and the silicon wafer which faces the reticule so that an axis in which a cleavage plane of the silicon wafer and a surface arranged with the pattern on the silicon wafer intersect, and the first direction are different.

Abstract: The present invention relates to microelectromechanical systems (MEMS). In particular, the present invention relates to MEMS arrays for use in acoustics and other applications.

Abstract: Electrical devices having tunable capacitance are provided. The tunable capacitance is achieved by placing an appropriate material between substrate layers and by controllably applying a pressure to the material to compress the material or alter the shape of a well in which the material is contained, and thereby alter the capacitance of the electrical device. The composition, shape and dimension of the embedded materials determine how the capacitance of the electrical device is altered upon compression of the embedded material in response to an applied control signal. Generally, as the embedded material is compressed, the material will become more dense and the capacitance of the integrated electrical device is altered.

Abstract: An MEMS structure and a method of manufacturing the same are provided. The MEMS structure includes a substrate and at least one suspended microstructure located on the substrate. The suspended microstructure includes a plurality of metal layers, at least one dielectric layer, and at least one peripheral metal wall. The dielectric layer is sandwiched by the metal layers, and the peripheral metal wall is parallel to a thickness direction of the suspended microstructure and surrounds an edge of the dielectric layer.

Abstract: A region divided substrate includes a substrate, a plurality of trenches, a conductive layer, and an insulating member. The substrate has a first surface and a second surface opposed to each other. The trenches penetrate the substrate from the first surface to the second surface and divide the substrate into a plurality of partial regions. The conductive layer is disposed on a sidewall of each of the trenches from a portion adjacent to the first surface to a portion adjacent to the second surface. The conductive layer has an electric conductivity higher than an electric conductivity of the substrate. The insulating member fills each of the trenches through the conductive layer.

Abstract: A method of forming a micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) includes providing a cap substrate, providing a support substrate, depositing a conductive material over the support substrate, patterning the conductive material to form a gap stop and a contact, wherein the gap stop is separated form the contact by an opening, forming a bonding material over the contact and in the opening, wherein the gap stop and the contact prevent the bonding material from extending outside the opening, and attaching the cap substrate to the support substrate by the step of forming the bonding material. In addition, the structure is described.

Abstract: A semiconductor is disclosed. In one embodiment, the semiconductor includes a semiconductor substrate having an active area region, a covering configured to protect the active area region, and a carrier. An interspace is located between the carrier and the covering. The interspace is filled with an underfiller material is disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a CMOS-MEMS cantilever structure. The CMOS-MEMS cantilever structure includes a substrate, a circuit structure, and a cantilever beam. The substrate has a circuit area and a sensor unit area defined thereon. The circuit structure is formed in the circuit area. The cantilever beam is disposed in the sensor unit area with one end floating above the substrate and the other end connecting to the circuit structure. With the above arrangement, the manufacturing process of CMOS-MEMS cantilever structure of this invention can be simplified. Furthermore, the structure of the cantilever beam is thinned down and therefore has a higher sensitivity.

Abstract: Provided is a package structure of a semiconductor device, capable of further reducing a planar size. The semiconductor device comprises a first package 2 embedding a first element 1, and a second package 4 stacked on and fixed to the first package while internally housing a second element 3. The first package 2 includes a lead frame 5 and a metallization wiring 6. The metallization wiring 6 is formed by resin-molding the first package 2 using a transfer lead frame having the metallization wiring 6 arranged on a base substrate, and, after the resin molding, removing the base substrate to leave the metallization wiring 6 on a removing surface of a molded resin in a transferred manner, while allowing a peripheral region of the metallization wiring 6 to be exposed on the side of and in flush relation with the removing surface of the molded resin so as to serve as an external terminal 6a.

Abstract: An accelerator sensor includes a semiconductor substrate having a main front surface and a main rear surface, a first groove portion being formed along a front surface pattern, in the main front surface, a second groove portion being formed along a rear surface pattern, in the main rear surface, a through-hole being formed because of connection between at least parts of the first groove portion and the second groove portion and at least one groove width variation portion being formed in at least one of inner walls of the first groove portion. An offset of the rear surface pattern to the front surface pattern can be inspected easily by existence of the groove width variation portion.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical System) chip and a method for making the MEMS chip. The MEMS chip comprises: a first substrate having a first surface and a second surface opposing each other; a microelectronic device area on the first surface; a first MEMS device area on the second surface; and a conductive interconnection structure electrically connecting the microelectronic device area and the first MEMS device area.

Abstract: A method for producing a microphone module includes arranging a MEMS microphone structure on a first surface of a first substrate, the first substrate further including a second surface, which is opposite to the first surface. Furthermore, a cap is arranging on the first surface of the first substrate such that the cap and the first surface enclose the MEMS microphone structure. A readout device for the MEMS microphone structure is arranged on a first surface of a second substrate which further includes a second surface, which is opposite to the first surface. The second surface of the first substrate is attached to the second surface of the second substrate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for capping a MEMS wafer (1), in particular a sensor and/or actuator wafer, with at least one mechanical functional element (10). According to the invention, it is provided that the movable mechanical functional element (10) is fixed by means of a sacrificial layer (14), and that a cap layer (19) is applied to, in particular epitaxially grown onto, the sacrificial layer (14) and/or to at least one intermediate layer (17) applied to the sacrificial layer (14). The invention also relates to a capped MEMS wafer (1).

Abstract: An MEMS sensor is described. The MEMS sensor may include a substrate, a lower thin film provided in contact with a surface of the substrate, and an upper thin film opposed to the lower thin film at an interval on the side opposite to the substrate.

Abstract: A resonator comprising a beam formed from a first material having a first Young's modulus and a first temperature coefficient of the first Young's modulus, and a second material having a second Young's modulus and a second temperature coefficient of the second Young's modulus, a sign of the second temperature coefficient being opposite to a sign of the first temperature coefficient at least within operating conditions of the resonator, wherein the ratio of the cross sectional area of the first material to the cross sectional area of the second material varies along the length of the beam, the cross sectional areas being measured substantially perpendicularly to the beam.

Abstract: A silicon oxide film 113 is formed on the vibrating parts 102 and 103 of an MEMS-type electrostatically-actuated flexural vibrator. At least one structure where no oxide film is formed is provided near the vibrating parts 102 and 103. By employing a structure in which both ends of the structure and both ends of the vibrating parts 102 and 103 are integrally formed, a compressive stress is applied to the vibrating parts 102 and 103. As a result, the frequency temperature characteristics can be improved.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a MEMS resonant structure, provided with a substrate of semiconductor material; a mobile mass suspended above the substrate and anchored to the substrate by constraint elements to be free to oscillate at a resonance frequency; and a fixed-electrode structure capacitively coupled to the mobile mass to form a capacitor with a capacitance that varies as a function of the oscillation of the mobile mass; the fixed-electrode structure arranged on a top surface of the substrate, and the constraint elements being configured in such a way that the mobile mass oscillates, in use, in a vertical direction, transverse to the top surface of the substrate, keeping substantially parallel to the top surface.

Abstract: A harsh environment transducer including a substrate having a first surface and a second surface, wherein the second surface is in communication with the environment. The transducer includes a device layer sensor means located on the substrate for measuring a parameter associated with the environment. The sensor means including a single crystal semiconductor material having a thickness of less than about 0.5 microns. The transducer further includes an output contact located on the substrate and in electrical communication with the sensor means. The transducer includes a package having an internal package space and a port for communication with the environment. The package receives the substrate in the internal package space such that the first surface of the substrate is substantially isolated from the environment and the second surface of the substrate is substantially exposed to the environment through the port.

Abstract: Low temperature, multi-layered, planar microshells for encapsulation of devices such as MEMS and microelectronics. The microshells include a planar perforated pre-sealing layer, below which a non-planar sacrificial layer is accessed, and a sealing layer to close the perforation in the pre-sealing layer after the sacrificial material is removed. In an embodiment, the pre-sealing layer has perforations formed with a damascene process to be self-aligned to the chamber below the microshell. The sealing layer may include a nonhermetic layer to physically occlude the perforation and a hermetic layer over the nonhermetic occluding layer to seal the perforation. In a particular embodiment, the hermetic layer is a metal which is electrically coupled to a conductive layer adjacent to the microshell to electrically ground the microshell.

Abstract: The invention relates to an encapsulation (4) of a sensitive component structure (3) on a semiconductor substrate (2) with a film (5) covering the component structure (3). According to the invention, it is provided that a cavity (8) for the component structure (3) is provided in the film (5). The invention also relates to a MEMS (1) and to a method for encapsulating a sensitive component structure (3).

Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, a conductive frame, a silicon die coupled to the conductive frame, the silicon die including a vibratory diaphragm, the die having a silicon die top opposite a silicon die bottom, with a silicon die port extending through the silicon die to the vibratory diaphragm, with a silicon die terminal in electrical communication with the conductive frame and an insulator affixed to the conductive frame and the silicon die, with the insulator extending through interstices in the conductive frame to a conductive frame bottom of the conductive frame, and around an exterior of the silicon die to the silicon die top, with the insulator physically affixed to the silicon die and to the conductive frame, with the silicon die port exposed and with a conductive frame terminal disposed at the conductive frame bottom in electrical communication with the silicon die terminal.

Abstract: Low temperature, multi-layered, planar microshells for encapsulation of devices such as MEMS and microelectronics. The microshells include a planar perforated pre-sealing layer, below which a non-planar sacrificial layer is accessed, and a sealing layer to close the perforation in the pre-sealing layer after the sacrificial material is removed. In an embodiment, the pre-sealing layer has perforations formed with a damascene process to be self-aligned to the chamber below the microshell. The sealing layer may include a nonhermetic layer to physically occlude the perforation and a hermetic layer over the nonhermetic occluding layer to seal the perforation. In a particular embodiment, the hermetic layer is a metal which is electrically coupled to a conductive layer adjacent to the microshell to electrically ground the microshell.

Abstract: A package of a micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) device includes a cap wafer, a plurality of bonding bumps formed over the cap wafer, a plurality of array pads arrayed on an outer side of the bonding bumps, and an MEMS device wafer bonded to an upper portion of the cap wafer in a manner to expose the array pads.

Abstract: A transistor device includes a magnetic field source adapted to deflect a flow of free electron carriers within a channel of the device, between a source region and a drain region thereof. According to preferred configurations, the magnetic field source includes a magnetic material layer extending over a side of the channel that is opposite a gate electrode of the transistor device.

Abstract: A device includes: a substrate having an aperture therethrough from a first side of the substrate to a second side of the substrate; a semiconductor die having an acoustic transducer, the semiconductor die being provided on the first side of the substrate such that the acoustic transducer is aligned with the aperture in the substrate; and a dual in-line package having a recess formed therein. The substrate is disposed such that the first side of the substrate faces the recess of the dual in-line package, and the semiconductor die is disposed between the first side of the substrate and the bottom surface of the recess in the dual in-line package.

Abstract: A micro electro mechanical system (MEMS) structure is disclosed. The MEMS structure includes a backplate electrode and a 3D diaphragm electrode. The 3D diaphragm electrode has a composite structure so that a dielectric is disposed between two metal layers. The 3D diaphragm electrode is adjacent to the backplate electrode to form a variable capacitor together.

Abstract: Provided is a method for fabricating a device package. The method includes: preparing a substrate where respectively corresponding device structures and input and output pads are disposed on an active surface; preparing a carrier substrate where a metal lid corresponding to the device structure is disposed on one surface; and contacting the active surface of the substrate with the metal lid of the carrier substrate to cover and seal the device structure corresponding to the metal lid.

Abstract: A physical quantity sensor includes: the fixed arm section includes a first side surface insulating film disposed on a side surface of the laminate structure, a first side surface conductor film disposed on a surface of the first side surface insulating film, and a first connection electrode section provided to the upper insulating layer, and electrically connected to the first side surface conductor film, the movable arm section includes a second side surface insulating film disposed on a side surface of the laminate structure, a second side surface conductor film disposed on a surface of the second side surface insulating film, and a second connection electrode section provided to the upper insulating layer, and electrically connected to the second side surface conductor film, and the first side surface conductor film and the second side surface conductor film are disposed so as to be opposed to each other.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a vibration sensor including forming a sacrifice layer at one part of a front surface of a semiconductor substrate of monocrystalline silicon with a material isotropically etched by an etchant for etching the semiconductor substrate, forming a thin film protective film with a material having resistance to the etchant on the sacrifice layer and the front surface of the semiconductor substrate at a periphery of the sacrifice layer, forming a thin film of monocrystalline silicon, polycrystalline silicon, or amorphous silicon on an upper side of the sacrifice layer, opening a backside etching window in a back surface protective film having resistance to the etchant for etching the semiconductor substrate formed on a back surface of the semiconductor substrate, forming a through-hole in the semiconductor substrate by etching the semiconductor substrate anisotropically by using crystal-oriented etching by applying the etchant from the back surface window, then etching the sacrifice layer

Abstract: A manufacturing method for producing a micromechanical sensor element which may be produced in a monolithically integrable design and has capacitive detection of a physical quantity is described. In addition to the manufacturing method, a micromechanical device containing such. a sensor element, e.g., a pressure sensor or an acceleration sensor, is described.

Abstract: A Micro-ElectroMechanical Systems (MEMS) device having electrical connections (a metallization pattern) available at an edge of the MEMS die. The metallization pattern on the edge of the die allows the die to be mounted on edge with no further packaging, if desired.

Abstract: A pressure detector is disclosed having an organic transistor, a pressure-detecting layer and a first electrode. The organic transistor includes an emitter, an organic layer, a grid formed with holes, and a collector, the organic layer being sandwiched between the emitter and the collector. The pressure-detecting layer is formed on the organic transistor such that the collector is sandwiched between the organic layer and the pressure-detecting layer. The first electrode is formed on the pressure-detecting layer such that the pressure-detecting layer is sandwiched between the collector and the first electrode. The area of the active region of the pressure detector is determined by the overlapped area of the electrodes, thereby reducing the pitch of the electrodes and thus the size of the pressure detector.

Abstract: An electro-mechanical transducer contains a vibrating electrode (15b), a vibrating-electrode-insulating film (15a) disposed at a bottom surface of the vibrating electrode (15b), an electret layer (13) facing to the vibrating electrode (15b), an electret-insulating layer (14e) joined to a top surface of the electret layer (13), and a back electrode 17 in contact with a bottom surface of the electret layer (13). A microgap between ten nanometers and 100 micrometers is established between the vibrating-electrode-insulating film (15a) and electret-insulating layer (14e). A central line average roughness Ra of the vibrating electrode (15b), including a bending, is 1/10 or less of a gap width measured between the bottom surface of the vibrating electrode (15b) and the top surface of the electret layer (13).

Abstract: The present invention discloses a MEMS device with particles blocking function, and a method for making the MEMS device. The MEMS device comprises: a substrate on which is formed a MEMS device region; and a particles blocking layer deposited on the substrate.

Abstract: A MEMS device according to the present invention includes a movable member, a supporting member supporting the movable member, an opposing member opposed to the movable member, and a wall member formed to an annular shape surrounding the movable member and connected to the supporting member and the opposing member.

Abstract: A method of protecting a micro-mechanical sensor structure embedded in a micro-mechanical sensor chip, in which the micro-mechanical sensor structure is fabricated with a protective membrane, the micro-mechanical sensor chip is arranged so that a surface of the protective membrane faces toward a second chip, and the micro-mechanical sensor chip is secured to the second chip.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a CMOS integrated micromechanical device fabricated in accordance with a standard CMOS foundry fabrication process. The standard CMOS foundry fabrication process is characterized by a predetermined layer map and a predetermined set of fabrication rules. The device includes a semiconductor substrate formed or provided in accordance with the predetermined layer map and the predetermined set of fabrication rules. A MEMS resonator device is fabricated in accordance with the predetermined layer map and the predetermined set of fabrication rules. The MEMS resonator device includes a micromechanical resonator structure having a surface area greater than or equal to approximately 20 square microns. At least one CMOS circuit is coupled to the MEMS resonator member. The at least one CMOS circuit is also fabricated in accordance with the predetermined layer map and the predetermined set of fabrication rules.

Abstract: A method of sealing a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) device from ambient conditions is described. The MEMS device is formed on a substrate and a substantially hermetic seal is formed as part of the MEMS device manufacturing process. The method may include forming a metal seal on the substrate proximate to a perimeter of the MEMS device using a method such as photolithography. The metal seal is formed on the substrate while the MEMS device retains a sacrificial layer between conductive members of MEMS elements, and the sacrificial layer is removed after formation of the seal and prior to attachment of a backplane.

Abstract: A MEMS device of an embodiment includes: a MEMS element; a first cavity region provided on the MEMS element; a second cavity region provided on a surrounding portion outside the MEMS element, the second cavity region having a lower height than the first cavity region; a third cavity region provided on a surrounding portion outside the second cavity region, the third cavity region having a lower height than the second cavity region; an insulating film provided to cover upper portions and side surfaces of the first to the third cavity regions; an opening provided in the insulating film on the first to the third cavity regions; and a sealant provided on the insulating film to seal the opening and to retain the first to the third cavity regions.

Abstract: A microelectromechanical system (MEMS) device includes a semiconductor substrate, a MEMS including a fixed electrode and a movable electrode formed on the semiconductor substrate through an insulating layer, and a well formed in the semiconductor substrate below the fixed electrode. The well is one of an n-type well and a p-type well. The p-type well applies a positive voltage to the fixed electrode while the n-type well applies a negative voltage to the fixed electrode.

Abstract: A SOI-based MEMS device has a base layer, a device layer, and an insulator layer between the base layer and the device layer. The device also has a deposited layer having a portion that is spaced from the device layer. The device layer is between the insulator layer and the deposited layer.

Abstract: A manufacturing method for a hollow sealing structure, includes, a process for filling a recessed portion in a principal surface of a substrate with a first sacrificial layer, a process for forming a functional element portion on the principal surface of the substrate, a process for forming a second sacrificial layer on the functional element portion so as to be connected to a part of the first sacrificial layer, a process for forming a covering portion over respective surfaces of the first and second sacrificial layers, a process for circulating a fluid for sacrificial layer removal through an opening in the covering portion in contact with the first sacrificial layer, thereby removing the first and second sacrificial layers, and a process for closing the opening.

Abstract: A micromechanical device assembly includes a micromechanical device enclosed within a processing region and a lubricant channel formed through an interior wall of the processing region and in fluid communication with the processing region. Lubricant is injected into the lubricant channel via capillary forces and held therein via surface tension of the lubricant against the internal surfaces of the lubrication channel. The lubricant channel containing the lubricant provides a ready supply of fresh lubricant to prevent stiction from occurring between interacting components of the micromechanical device disposed within the processing region.

Abstract: A sensor component and a method for manufacturing a sensor component, in which a sealing passivation of a sensor layer may be dispensed with. For this purpose, the sensor component includes, in particular, a thin film high-pressure sensor, a deformation body and a piezoresistive sensor layer, which is applied to the deformation body, the piezoresistive sensor layer including at least one metal as well as carbon and/or hydrocarbon and terminating the layer structure of the sensor component. Based on the materials used a sealing cover of the sensor layer by a thin film passivation layer may be dispensed with. Additional contact layers for contacting the sensor layer may advantageously also be dispensed with. Contacting may then take place directly on the sensor layer, using a bond wire.

Abstract: To provide a semiconductor device prevented from giving a limitation on the sensitivity of HEMS devices due to isolation regions thereof and a method of fabricating the same.

Abstract: The invention relates to a integrated circuit comprising an electronic circuit integrated on a substrate (5), and further comprising protections means for protection of the electronic circuit (25). The protection means comprise: i) a first strained encapsulation layer (10) being provided on a first side of the substrate (5), wherein the first strained encapsulation layer (10) has a strain (S1) in a direction parallel to the substrate (5), and ii) disabling means (20) arranged for at least partially disabling the electronic circuit (25) under control of a strain change in the substrate (5). The invention further relates to a method of manufacturing such integrated circuit, and to a system comprising such integrated circuit. Such system is selected from a group comprising: a bank-card, a smart-card, a contact-less card and an RFID.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a micro-electrical-mechanical system (MEMS) transducer comprises the steps of forming a membrane (5) on a substrate (3), and forming a back-volume in the substrate. The step of forming a back-volume in the substrate comprises the steps of forming a first back-volume portion (7a) and a second back-volume portion (7b), the first back-volume portion (7a) being separated from the second back-volume portion (7b) by a step in a sidewall of the back-volume. The cross-sectional area of the second back-volume portion (7b) can be made greater than the cross-sectional area of the membrane (5), thereby enabling the back-volume to be increased without being constrained by the cross-sectional area of the membrane (5). The back-volume may comprise a third back-volume portion. The third back-volume portion enables the effective diameter of the membrane to be formed more accurately.

Abstract: A method of fabricating MEMS device includes: providing a substrate with a first surface and a second surface. The substrate includes at least one logic region and at least one MEMS region. The logic region includes at least one logic device positioned on the first surface of the substrate. Then, an interlayer material is formed on the first surface of the substrate within the MEMS region. Finally, the second surface of the substrate within the MEMS region is patterned. After the pattern process, a vent pattern is formed in the second surface of the substrate within the MEMS region. The interlayer material does not react with halogen radicals. Therefore, during the formation of the vent pattern, the substrate is protected by the interlayer material and the substrate can be prevented from forming any undercut.