MEMS device and method of forming a MEMS device
First Claim
1. A method of forming a device, the method comprising:
- providing a substrate comprising at least one conductive layer;
forming an insulating layer over the at least one conductive layer;
forming a protective layer over the insulating layer;
forming an opening through the protective layer to the insulating layer;
after forming the opening through the protective layer, further forming the opening through the insulating layer to the at least one conductive layer;
forming a removable layer within the opening; and
removing the removable layer from the opening.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Light in the visible spectrum is modulated using an array of modulation elements, and control circuitry connected to the array for controlling each of the modulation elements independently, each of the modulation elements having a surface which is caused to exhibit a predetermined impedance characteristic to particular frequencies of light. The amplitude of light delivered by each of the modulation elements is controlled independently by pulse code modulation. Each modulation element has a deformable portion held under tensile stress, and the control circuitry controls the deformation of the deformable portion. Each deformable element has a deformation mechanism and an optical portion, the deformation mechanism and the optical portion independently imparting to the element respectively a controlled deformation characteristic and a controlled modulation characteristic. The deformable modulation element may be a non-metal. The elements are made by forming a sandwich of two layers and a sacrificial layer between them, the sacrificial layer having a thickness related to the final cavity dimension, and using water or an oxygen based plasma to remove the sacrificial layer.
131 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A method of forming a device, the method comprising:
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providing a substrate comprising at least one conductive layer; forming an insulating layer over the at least one conductive layer; forming a protective layer over the insulating layer; forming an opening through the protective layer to the insulating layer; after forming the opening through the protective layer, further forming the opening through the insulating layer to the at least one conductive layer; forming a removable layer within the opening; and removing the removable layer from the opening. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 15)
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8. A method of forming a micro-mirror device, the method comprising:
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providing a substructure including a base material and at least one conductive layer formed on a first side of the base material; forming a layer of an insulating material over the at least one conductive layer of the substructure; forming a protective layer comprising a material resistant to an etch process above the layer of the insulating material; forming a reflective element above the insulating material; forming an opening through the insulating material to the etch resistant material; after forming the opening through the insulating material, further forming the opening to the at least one conductive layer of the substructure; forming a removable layer within the opening; and removing the removable layer from the opening. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16)
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Specification