Methods for reducing surface charges during the manufacture of microelectromechanical systems devices
First Claim
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1. A method of manufacturing a MEMS device, the method comprising:
- depositing a sacrificial material on a substrate;
depositing a structural material over the sacrificial material; and
etching the sacrificial material, the etching comprising exposing the sacrificial material to a gas phase chemical etchant in the presence of ionized gas, the ionized gas being substantially non-reactive with the sacrificial material, wherein the etching further comprises substantially removing the sacrificial material to form a structural layer suspended over the substrate, the structural layer comprising at least a portion of the structural material, and wherein the structural layer is movable between a first position spaced from the substrate by a first distance and a second position spaced from the substrate by a second distance.
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Abstract
Provided herein are methods for preventing the formation and accumulation of surface-associated charges, and deleterious effects associated therewith, during the manufacture of a MEMS device. In some embodiments, methods provided herein comprise etching a sacrificial material in the presence of an ionized gas, wherein the ionized gas neutralizes charged species produced during the etching process and allows for their removal along with other etching byproducts. Also disclosed are microelectromechanical devices formed by methods of the invention, and visual display devices incorporating such devices.
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8 Claims
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1. A method of manufacturing a MEMS device, the method comprising:
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depositing a sacrificial material on a substrate; depositing a structural material over the sacrificial material; and etching the sacrificial material, the etching comprising exposing the sacrificial material to a gas phase chemical etchant in the presence of ionized gas, the ionized gas being substantially non-reactive with the sacrificial material, wherein the etching further comprises substantially removing the sacrificial material to form a structural layer suspended over the substrate, the structural layer comprising at least a portion of the structural material, and wherein the structural layer is movable between a first position spaced from the substrate by a first distance and a second position spaced from the substrate by a second distance. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method of manufacturing a MEMS device, the method comprising:
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depositing a sacrificial material on a substrate; depositing a structural material over the sacrificial material; and etching the sacrificial material, the etching comprising exposing the sacrificial material to a gas phase chemical etchant in the presence of ionized gas, the ionized gas being substantially non-reactive with the sacrificial material, wherein exposing the sacrificial material to the gas phase chemical etchant in the presence of the ionized gas comprises; applying the ionized gas to the sacrificial material, and applying the gas phase chemical etchant to the sacrificial material; and wherein the gas phase chemical etchant and the ionized gas are applied to the sacrificial material sequentially.
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Specification