Methods and structures of integrated MEMS-CMOS devices
First Claim
1. A method for fabricating an integrated MEMS-CMOS device comprising:
- providing a substrate member having a surface region;
forming a CMOS IC layer overlying the surface region, the CMOS IC layer having at least one CMOS device;
forming a MEMS layer overlying the CMOS IC layer, the MEMS layer having a MEMS contact region, a CMOS contact region, and at least one MEMS device, wherein the at least one MEMS device is electrically coupled to the MEMS contact region that is electrically decoupled from the CMOS IC layer during formation of the MEMS layer, and at least one CMOS device is electrically coupled to the CMOS contact region, wherein the at least one MEMS device is electrically decoupled from the CMOS device during formation of the MEMS contact region, and the MEMS contact region is electrically decoupled from the CMOS contact region, wherein MEMS contact region and the CMOS contact region form a MEMS jumper contact region; and
coupling the MEMS contact region and the CMOS contact region via a MEMS jumper structure being applied to the MEMS jumper contact region after the forming of the MEMS layer, the MEMS jumper structure electrically coupling the at least one MEMS device and the at least one CMOS device.
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Abstract
A method for fabricating an integrated MEMS-CMOS device uses a micro-fabrication process that realizes moving mechanical structures (MEMS) on top of a conventional CMOS structure by bonding a mechanical structural wafer on top of the CMOS and etching the mechanical layer using plasma etching processes, such as Deep Reactive Ion Etching (DRIE). During etching of the mechanical layer, CMOS devices that are directly connected to the mechanical layer are exposed to plasma. This sometimes causes permanent damage to CMOS circuits and is termed Plasma Induced Damage (PID). Embodiments of the present invention presents methods and structures to prevent or reduce this PID and protect the underlying CMOS circuits by grounding and providing an alternate path for the CMOS circuits until the MEMS layer is completely etched.
26 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method for fabricating an integrated MEMS-CMOS device comprising:
- providing a substrate member having a surface region;
forming a CMOS IC layer overlying the surface region, the CMOS IC layer having at least one CMOS device;
forming a MEMS layer overlying the CMOS IC layer, the MEMS layer having a MEMS contact region, a CMOS contact region, and at least one MEMS device, wherein the at least one MEMS device is electrically coupled to the MEMS contact region that is electrically decoupled from the CMOS IC layer during formation of the MEMS layer, and at least one CMOS device is electrically coupled to the CMOS contact region, wherein the at least one MEMS device is electrically decoupled from the CMOS device during formation of the MEMS contact region, and the MEMS contact region is electrically decoupled from the CMOS contact region, wherein MEMS contact region and the CMOS contact region form a MEMS jumper contact region; and
coupling the MEMS contact region and the CMOS contact region via a MEMS jumper structure being applied to the MEMS jumper contact region after the forming of the MEMS layer, the MEMS jumper structure electrically coupling the at least one MEMS device and the at least one CMOS device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 17, 18)
- providing a substrate member having a surface region;
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8. A method for fabricating an integrated MEMS-CMOS device comprising:
- providing a substrate member having a surface region;
forming a CMOS IC layer overlying the surface region, the CMOS IC layer having at least one CMOS device;
forming a MEMS layer overlying the CMOS IC layer, the MEMS layer having a MEMS contact region that is electrically decoupled from the CMOS IC layer, a CMOS contact region, and at least one MEMS device, wherein the at least one MEMS device is electrically coupled to the MEMS contact region and at least one CMOS device is electrically coupled to the CMOS contact region, wherein the at least one MEMS device being is electrically decoupled from the CMOS device during formation of the MEMS contact region, wherein the MEMS contact region is configured at the top of the MEMS layer;
wherein the CMOS contact region is configured at the top of the MEMS layer;
wherein MEMS contact region and the CMOS contact region form a MEMS jumper contact region; and
coupling the MEMS contact region and the CMOS contact region via a MEMS jumper structure being applied to the MEMS jumper contact region after the forming of the at least one MEMS device, the MEMS jumper structure electrically coupling the at least one MEMS device and the at least one CMOS device. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
- providing a substrate member having a surface region;
Specification