Ultraminiature pressure sensors and probes
First Claim
1. An ultraminiature pressure sensing apparatus comprising:
- a pressure sensing membrane made of silicon and having a thickness of approximately one micron or less; and
a plurality of high sensitivity piezoresistive strain gauges for measuring strain of said membrane.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A new and versatile ultra-miniature pressure sensor comprises a very thin diaphragm of approximately one micron or less, e.g., 0.2 microns. In some embodiments, the diaphragm has a radius of 20 microns and the pressure sensor can detect signals at or near 0.1 Atm with 1% accuracy. The diaphragm is formed by epitaxial growth of silicon or by bonding and etching. A plurality of high sensitivity piezoresistive strain gauges measure strain of the diaphragm. Less than 0.1 microns thick, the piezoresistive strain gauges are embedded in the diaphragm by ion implantation or formed thereon by epitaxial growth. The ability to form ultra-thin piezoresistive layers on very thin diaphragms enables the miniaturization of the pressure sensor as well as any device that employs it.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. An ultraminiature pressure sensing apparatus comprising:
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a pressure sensing membrane made of silicon and having a thickness of approximately one micron or less; and
a plurality of high sensitivity piezoresistive strain gauges for measuring strain of said membrane. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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2. An ultraminiature pressure sensing apparatus comprising:
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a pressure sensing membrane made of silicon and having a thickness of approximately 0.2 microns or less; and
a plurality of high sensitivity piezoresistive strain gauges for measuring strain of said membrane.
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Specification