Capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducer and manufacturing method

• US 7,888,709 B2
• Filed: 04/08/2009
• Issued: 02/15/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/15/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sonetics Ultrasound, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Sonetics Ultrasound, Inc.
• Inventors: Lemmerhirt, David F., Rich, Collin A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tran; Tan N
• Application Number:
  US12/420,683
• Publication Number:
  US 20090250729A1
• Time in Patent Office: 678 Days
• Field of Search: 257/254, 257/E25.029, 257/E21.158
• US Class Current: 257/254
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/00 Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves imaging of objects using sonar G01S15/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4472 Wireless probes
• CPC Class Codes: B06B 1/0292 Electrostatic transducers, e.g. electret-type

Abstract

The integrated circuit/transducer device of the preferred embodiment includes a substrate, a complementary-metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) circuit that is fabricated on the substrate, and a capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducer (cMUT) element that is also fabricated on the substrate. The CMOS circuit and cMUT element are fabricated during the same foundry process and are connected. The cMUT includes a lower electrode, an upper electrode, a membrane structure that support the upper electrode, and a cavity between the upper electrode and lower electrode.

Claims

1. An integrated circuit/transducer device, comprising:

a substrate;

a complementary-metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) circuit fabricated on the substrate; and

a capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducer (cMUT) element fabricated on the substrate and connected to the CMOS circuit, wherein the CMOS circuit and the cMUT element are fabricated during the same foundry process, and wherein the cMUT element includes;

a lower electrode adapted to maintain a first electrical potential,

an upper electrode adapted to maintain a second electrical potential,

a membrane structure that structurally supports the upper electrode over the lower electrode, wherein an outer region of the membrane structure is thinner than a central region of the membrane, and

a cavity between the lower electrode and the upper electrode, wherein the lower electrode and the upper electrode of the cMUT each form a layer of the CMOS circuit.

2. An integrated circuit/transducer device, comprising:

a substrate;

a complementary-metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) circuit fabricated on the substrate; and

a capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducer (cMUT) element fabricated on the substrate and connected to the CMOS circuit, wherein the CMOS circuit and the cMUT element are fabricated during the same foundry process, and wherein the cMUT element includes;

a lower electrode adapted to maintain a first electrical potential,

an upper electrode adapted to maintain a second electrical potential,

a membrane structure that structurally supports the upper electrode over the lower electrode, wherein an outer region of the membrane structure is thinner than a central region of the membrane,

a cavity between the lower electrode and the upper electrode, and

at least one electrical conductor spanning the membrane and connected to the upper electrode.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein a plurality of electrical conductors connecting the upper electrode to the CMOS circuit are arranged to achieve symmetric mechanical rigidity.

4. The device of claim 3 wherein three electrical conductors are arranged radially and equally spaced around the upper electrode that is circularly shaped.

5. The device of claim 2 wherein a passivation opening is defined above a portion of the surface of the membrane.

6. The device of claim 5 further including at least one etch port that promotes the removal of a sacrificial layer to create the cavity, wherein the etch port is positioned along the membrane perimeter substantially near an electrical conductor.

7. The device of claim 6 wherein the lower electrode is metal.

8. The device of claim 6 wherein the lower electrode is polysilicon.

9. The device of claim 6 wherein the upper electrode is disposed within the dielectric layer and the membrane structure is composed of the dielectric layer.

10. The device of claim 6 further comprising a sealant layer disposed on the dielectric layer wherein the sealant layer seals the cavity.

11. The device of claim 10 wherein the sealant is parylene.