MEMS device and method of fabrication
First Claim
1. A MEMS device of the type which includes an active layer, a substrate, and an insulating material therebetween, first and second pluralities of stationary electrodes and a plurality of moveable electrodes formed in the active layer, and a plurality of anchors fixedly attaching a first surface of each of the first and second pluralities of stationary electrodes to the substrate, the MEMS device comprising:
- a first structural tie bar coupled to a second surface of at least two of the first plurality of stationary electrodes; and
a second structural tie bar coupled to a second surface of at least two of the second plurality of stationary electrodes.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A MEMS device and method of fabrication including a plurality of structural tie bars for added structural integrity. The MEMS device includes an active layer and a substrate having an insulating material formed therebetween, first and second pluralities of stationary electrodes and a plurality of moveable electrodes in the active layer. A plurality of interconnects are electrically coupled to a second surface of each of the first and second pluralities of stationary electrodes. A plurality of anchors fixedly attach a first surface of each of the first and second pluralities of stationary electrodes to the substrate. A first structural tie bar couples a second surface of each of the first plurality of stationary electrodes and a second structural tie bar couples a second surface of each of the second plurality of stationary electrodes.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A MEMS device of the type which includes an active layer, a substrate, and an insulating material therebetween, first and second pluralities of stationary electrodes and a plurality of moveable electrodes formed in the active layer, and a plurality of anchors fixedly attaching a first surface of each of the first and second pluralities of stationary electrodes to the substrate, the MEMS device comprising:
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a first structural tie bar coupled to a second surface of at least two of the first plurality of stationary electrodes; and
a second structural tie bar coupled to a second surface of at least two of the second plurality of stationary electrodes. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A method of fabricating a MEMS device of the type that includes an active layer, a substrate, and an insulating material formed therebetween, first and second pluralities of stationary electrodes and a plurality of moveable electrodes in the active layer, a fill material deposited between the first and second pluralities of stationary electrodes and the plurality of moveable electrodes, a layer of conductive material deposited over the first and second pluralities of stationary electrodes and the plurality of moveable electrodes wherein the method comprises:
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etching the layer of conductive material to define a first interconnect electrically coupled to the first plurality of stationary electrodes and a second interconnect electrically coupled to the second plurality of stationary electrodes;
etching the layer of conductive material to define a first structural tie bar coupled to a second surface of each of the first plurality of stationary electrodes and a second structural tie bar coupled to a second surface of each of the second plurality of stationary electrodes;
removing the layer of fill material;
etching the insulating material to define a plurality of anchors fixedly attaching a first surface of each of the first and second pluralities of stationary electrodes to the substrate. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A MEMS device comprising:
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a substrate;
an insulating layer on the substrate;
an active layer on the insulating layer;
a plurality of sensor electrodes in the active layer having a first surface and a second surface, at least one of the plurality of sensor electrodes further having a contact area formed on the second surface;
a plurality of interconnects each electrically coupled to at least one of the plurality of sensor electrodes;
a plurality of structural tie bars each coupled to the first surface of at least two sensor electrodes; and
a plurality of anchors fixedly attaching the second surface of at least a portion of the plurality of sensor electrodes to the substrate. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification