Portable etch chamber
First Claim
1. A XeF2 etching system comprising:
- an etch station comprising at least one source selected from the group consisting of a XeF2 vapor source, a vacuum source and a purge gas source;
a sealable container comprising an inlet configured for attachment to the at least one source; and
a holder configured to support at least one MEMS substrate within the sealable container during movement of the sealable container;
the sealable container being configured for detachment from the at least one source and being configured to facilitate movement relative to the at least one source.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An etching chamber is configured to support a MEMS substrate within the chamber. The etching chamber is configured to be relatively easy to move and attach to an etch station that includes a source of vapor or gaseous etchant, a source of purge gas and/or a vacuum source. The portable etching chamber may facilitate a process for etching the MEMS substrate contained therein. For example, a MEMS substrate in such an etching chamber may be etched by connecting the chamber into an etch station and exposing the MEMS substrate to an etchant in order to etch the MEMS substrate. The substrate can be moved to or from the etch station within the portable etching chamber. In preferred embodiments, the MEMS substrate is an interferometric modulator and the etchant is XeF2.
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Citations
56 Claims
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1. A XeF2 etching system comprising:
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an etch station comprising at least one source selected from the group consisting of a XeF2 vapor source, a vacuum source and a purge gas source;
a sealable container comprising an inlet configured for attachment to the at least one source; and
a holder configured to support at least one MEMS substrate within the sealable container during movement of the sealable container;
the sealable container being configured for detachment from the at least one source and being configured to facilitate movement relative to the at least one source. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A portable XeF2 etching chamber comprising:
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a sealable container comprising an inlet configured for attachment to a vacuum source; and
a holder configured to support at least one MEMS substrate within the sealable container during movement of the sealable container;
the sealable container being configured to facilitate movement relative to the vacuum source. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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- 19. A portable XeF2 etching chamber comprising sealable means for containing XeF2 vapor and means for holding at least one MEMS substrate to facilitate etching of the MEMS substrate by the XeF2 vapor.
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29. A method for etching a MEMS substrate, comprising:
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moving a portable etching chamber to a location in operable proximity to a source of etchant;
attaching the portable etching chamber to the source of etchant;
exposing a MEMS substrate supported in the portable chamber to the etchant for a period of time that is effective to etch the MEMS substrate to form a released MEMS substrate;
detaching the portable etching chamber from the source of etchant;
moving the portable etching chamber away from the source of etchant; and
unloading the released MEMS substrate from the portable etching chamber. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49)
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50. A method for etching a MEMS substrate, comprising:
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inserting a MEMS substrate into a portable etching chamber;
moving the portable etching chamber having the MEMS substrate housed therein to a location in operable proximity to an etch station;
connecting the portable etching chamber to the etch station; and
etching the MEMS substrate within the portable chamber while the portable etching chamber is attached to the etch station. - View Dependent Claims (51, 52, 53)
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54. A portable XeF2 etching chamber comprising:
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a sealable container comprising an inlet configured for attachment to at least one source, the at least one source being selected from the group consisting of a XeF2 vapor source, a vacuum source and a purge gas source; and
a holder configured to support at least one MEMS substrate within the sealable container during movement of the container;
the sealable container being configured to facilitate movement relative to the at least one source. - View Dependent Claims (55, 56)
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Specification