Integrated micromechanical sensor element
First Claim
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1. An integrated micromechanical sensor element for use in an array of sensor elements which are adapted to respond to radiation, including:
- single crystal semiconductor means containing a plurality of planes comprising a family of (111) planes defined by the specific crystalline structure within said semiconductor means;
said semiconductor means having a generally flat surface supporting radiation sensing means having two leadout means;
at least two separate surface areas which semi-enclosure said sensing means;
said two surface areas defining at least two leadout areas which each of said leadout areas providing a support upon which said sensor leadout means are located;
a pit below said radiation sensing means to substantially thermally isolate said sensing means from the balance of said semiconductor means with said pit anisotropically etched through said two surface areas and limited in size by said planes within said single crystal semiconductor means;
said planes intersecting said two surface areas which semi-enclose said sensing means to define a perimeter of said pit to generally correspond with said two surface area; and
said two surface areas having sides that lie along and perpendicular to a direction of said specific crystalline structure.
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Abstract
A sensor element that is adapted to respond to radiation, and which is adapted to the manufacture of a sensor array is manufactured into a single crystal semiconductor means such as silicon. An anisotropically etched pit is provided under the sensing surface, and the pit generally corresponds to the geometry of the sensor element. The geometry is selected to be rectangular and falls along a selected orientation of the particular crystalline structure used for manufacture of the device to thereby allow a high density of sensor elements to provide an efficient array.
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12 Claims
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1. An integrated micromechanical sensor element for use in an array of sensor elements which are adapted to respond to radiation, including:
- single crystal semiconductor means containing a plurality of planes comprising a family of (111) planes defined by the specific crystalline structure within said semiconductor means;
said semiconductor means having a generally flat surface supporting radiation sensing means having two leadout means;
at least two separate surface areas which semi-enclosure said sensing means;
said two surface areas defining at least two leadout areas which each of said leadout areas providing a support upon which said sensor leadout means are located;
a pit below said radiation sensing means to substantially thermally isolate said sensing means from the balance of said semiconductor means with said pit anisotropically etched through said two surface areas and limited in size by said planes within said single crystal semiconductor means;
said planes intersecting said two surface areas which semi-enclose said sensing means to define a perimeter of said pit to generally correspond with said two surface area; and
said two surface areas having sides that lie along and perpendicular to a direction of said specific crystalline structure. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
- single crystal semiconductor means containing a plurality of planes comprising a family of (111) planes defined by the specific crystalline structure within said semiconductor means;
Specification