Microfabricated particle thin film filter and method of making it
First Claim
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1. A filter, comprising:
- a first thin film structure having openings therethrough; and
a second thin film structure having openings therethrough, said second thin film structure positioned relative to said first thin film structure such that said openings of said first thin film structure are partially blocked by said second thin film structure and said openings of said second thin film structure are partially blocked by said first thin film structure to produce pores of a substantially uniform predetermined width and length, said pores being spaces between said first thin film structure and said second thin film structure and said pores being formed as a result of removing a sacrificial layer from between said first thin film structure and said second thin film structure.
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Abstract
A thin film filter fabricated using surface micromachining. The width of the filter pores is determined by the thickness of a sacrificial thin-film layer. This dimension can be precisely controlled, and may be as small as about 50 angstroms. The pore length may also be determined by the thickness of thin film layers and can therefore be smaller than the limit of resolution obtainable with photolithography. The filters are suitable for use at high temperatures and with many harsh solvents.
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Citations
39 Claims
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1. A filter, comprising:
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a first thin film structure having openings therethrough; and a second thin film structure having openings therethrough, said second thin film structure positioned relative to said first thin film structure such that said openings of said first thin film structure are partially blocked by said second thin film structure and said openings of said second thin film structure are partially blocked by said first thin film structure to produce pores of a substantially uniform predetermined width and length, said pores being spaces between said first thin film structure and said second thin film structure and said pores being formed as a result of removing a sacrificial layer from between said first thin film structure and said second thin film structure. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 28)
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24. A method for fabricating a filter, the method comprising:
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providing a first thin film structure having openings therethrough; forming a first sacrificial layer over at least part of said first thin film structure; forming a second thin film structure over said first thin film structure and said first sacrificial layer, said first sacrificial layer and said second thin film structure blocking said openings of said first thin film structure, and said second thin film structure having openings therethrough, said opening exposing a portion of said first sacrificial layer; and etching said first sacrificial layer to produce pores of a substantially uniform predetermined width and length. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37)
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38. A method of fabricating a filter, the method comprising:
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providing a first thin film structure having openings therethrough; forming a first sacrificial layer over at least part of said first thin film structure; forming a second thin film structure over said first thin film structure and said first sacrificial layer, said first sacrificial layer and said second thin film structure blocking said openings of said first thin film structure, and said second thin film structure having openings therethrough, said openings exposing a portion of said first sacrificial layer; etching said first sacrificial layer to form pores; and after etching said first sacraficial layer, growing a thin film on walls of the pores. - View Dependent Claims (39)
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Specification