Support posts for micro-mechanical devices
First Claim
1. An improved micro-mechanical device of a type having support posts for mechanical elements, wherein the improvement comprises a support post having:
- a hollow support post stem, said stem made by depositing a stem material into a via in a spacer layer that is subsequently removed, said hollow support post stem being filled with material from another layer of said micro-mechanical device; and
a sidewall ring around the outer circumference of said stem, said sidewall ring made by depositing an oxide layer over said spacer layer and into said vias prior to the deposition of said stem material and etching back said oxide layer.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An improved support post (16, 23, 25) for micro-mechanical devices (10). A via (34a) that defines the outer surface of the support post (16) is etched into a spacer layer (34). An oxide layer (41) is conformally deposited over the spacer layer (34) and into the via (34a), and then etched back to the top surface of the spacer layer (34), leaving a sidewall ring (23a) on the inner surface of the via (34a). Next, a metal layer (61) is deposited over the spacer layer (34) and into the via (34a) so as to cover the sidewall ring (23a). This metal layer (61) is then etched to form a support post stem (23) inside the via (34a). The spacer layer (34) is removed, leaving the support post stem (23) and a sidewall ring (23a) around the stem (23).
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Citations
10 Claims
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1. An improved micro-mechanical device of a type having support posts for mechanical elements, wherein the improvement comprises a support post having:
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a hollow support post stem, said stem made by depositing a stem material into a via in a spacer layer that is subsequently removed, said hollow support post stem being filled with material from another layer of said micro-mechanical device; and a sidewall ring around the outer circumference of said stem, said sidewall ring made by depositing an oxide layer over said spacer layer and into said vias prior to the deposition of said stem material and etching back said oxide layer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A digital micro-mirror device, comprising:
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a substrate upon which the following elements are fabricated;
at least one address electrode, a support post, a hinge extending from said support post, a mirror attached to said hinge, wherein said mirror is deflectable so as to tilt upon being subjected to an applied force; andwherein said support post is comprised of a hollow stem and a sidewall ring, both formed by depositing material into a via etched into a spacer layer that is subsequently removed, wherein said hollow stem is filled with a material from another layer of said micro-mirror device. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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Specification