Method for Sealing a Micro-Cavity
First Claim
1. A method for sealing a cavity, comprising:
- providing a substrate;
depositing a sacrificial layer on the substrate;
depositing a membrane layer on the sacrificial layer;
etching at least one release hole in the membrane layer exposing the sacrificial layer;
forming a narrowing layer on the side walls of the at least one release hole;
removing at least a portion of the sacrificial layer via the release hole to form a cavity; and
closing the at least one release hole.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method for sealing a cavity is disclosed. The method includes depositing a membrane layer on top of a sacrificial layer, etching release holes into the membrane layer, and removing at least a portion of the sacrificial layer through the release holes to form a cavity. Prior to removing the sacrificial layer portion, the method includes producing a narrowing layer on the side walls of the release holes. The narrowing layer can be a sealing layer that seals off the release holes after a reflow step. Alternatively, the narrowing layer can be a layer that does not have a sealing function and is used to narrow the holes, allowing the holes to be sealed without a sealing or other material entering the cavity. The narrowing layer may be deposited by conformal deposition followed by an anisotropic etch or by direct deposition on the side walls of the release holes.
82 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method for sealing a cavity, comprising:
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providing a substrate; depositing a sacrificial layer on the substrate; depositing a membrane layer on the sacrificial layer; etching at least one release hole in the membrane layer exposing the sacrificial layer; forming a narrowing layer on the side walls of the at least one release hole; removing at least a portion of the sacrificial layer via the release hole to form a cavity; and closing the at least one release hole. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A system, comprising:
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a Micro or Nano Electromechanical System device encapsulated in a cavity; a cap covering the cavity; at least one release hole in the cap; and a sealing material that seals the at least one release hole and is located on side walls of the at least one release hole. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
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Specification