MEMS devices having support structures
First Claim
1. An electromechanical device formed by a method comprising:
- providing a substrate;
depositing an electrode layer over the substrate;
depositing a sacrificial layer over the electrode layer;
patterning the sacrificial layer to form apertures;
forming support structures over the sacrificial layer, wherein the support structures are formed at least partially within the apertures in the sacrificial material, wherein the support structures comprise an inorganic material, wherein an upper surface of each support structure comprises a depression within an interior region of the support structure, and wherein the support structures comprise a substantially horizontal wing portion extending over a substantially flat portion of the sacrificial material; and
depositing a movable layer over the sacrificial layer and the support structures, wherein a portion of the movable layer extends between at least two of the support structures.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Embodiments of MEMS devices comprise a conductive movable layer spaced apart from a conductive fixed layer by a gap, and supported by rigid support structures, or rivets, overlying depressions in the conductive movable layer, or by posts underlying depressions in the conductive movable layer. In certain embodiments, both rivets and posts may be used. In certain embodiments, these support structures are formed from rigid inorganic materials, such as metals or oxides. In certain embodiments, etch barriers may also be deposited to facilitate the use of materials in the formation of support structures which are not selectively etchable with respect to other components within the MEMS device.
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Citations
28 Claims
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1. An electromechanical device formed by a method comprising:
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providing a substrate; depositing an electrode layer over the substrate; depositing a sacrificial layer over the electrode layer; patterning the sacrificial layer to form apertures; forming support structures over the sacrificial layer, wherein the support structures are formed at least partially within the apertures in the sacrificial material, wherein the support structures comprise an inorganic material, wherein an upper surface of each support structure comprises a depression within an interior region of the support structure, and wherein the support structures comprise a substantially horizontal wing portion extending over a substantially flat portion of the sacrificial material; and depositing a movable layer over the sacrificial layer and the support structures, wherein a portion of the movable layer extends between at least two of the support structures.
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2. An electromechanical device, comprising:
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a substrate; an electrode layer located over the substrate; a movable layer located over the electrode layer, wherein the movable layer is generally spaced apart from the electrode layer by a gap; and support structures underlying at least a portion of the movable layer, wherein a portion of the movable layer extends between at least two of the support structures, wherein each of the support structures comprises a substantially horizontal wing portion, said substantially horizontal wing portion being spaced apart from the electrode layer by the gap, wherein an upper surface of each support structure comprises a depression within an interior region of the support structure, and wherein the support structures comprise an inorganic material. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. An electromechanical device, comprising:
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first means for electrically conducting; second means for electrically conducting; and means for supporting said second conducting means over said first conducting means, wherein said second conducting means overlie the supporting means, and wherein said second conducting means is movable relative to said first conducting means in response to generating electrostatic potential between said first and second conducting means, wherein said supporting means comprise a substantially horizontal wing portion spaced apart from said first conducting means, wherein an upper surface of said supporting means comprises a depression within an interior region of the supporting means, and wherein said supporting means comprise an inorganic material. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28)
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Specification