Prototype of Massively Parallel Electron Beam Write (MPEBW) system was developed for mask less lithography. A 100×100 array of nanocrystalline-silicon (nc-Si) electron emitter is controlled by an active matrix driving LSI. The LSI receives external writing bitmap data, and switches 100×100 electron beamlets on/off. The operation of the LSI was confirmed and 1/100 reduction electron optic system using the active matrix emitter array was fabricated. A 17×17 nc-Si emitter array was assembled with a 1:1 exposure test system and driven by commercially available display driver LSIs. The active matrix electron beam (EB) exposure was confirmed.
In this study, a simulation analysis of a miniaturized electron optics for the Multi-Column Massively Parallel Electron Beam Writing system is demonstrated. Analytical evaluation of space charge effect with prototype Massively Parallel Electron Beam Writing (MPEBW) system showed 2.86 nm blur in radius occurs on each beam with a convergence half angle of 3 mrad. The angle of each beam was increased to 10 mrad to reduce the space charge effect, the coulomb blur amount can be kept to less than 1 nm in radius. However, there was limitation to increasing the angle due to a spherical aberration. Since the beam current density from the electron emitter array in the prototype MPEBW system was 100 μA/cm2 and the total beam current was 1μA with 100×100 array of 10μm square emitter, the influence of coulomb blur was small. By contrast, considerably increasing the number of beams and the beam current are planned in near future in MPEBW. The coulomb blur and other aberrations will not be controlled by merely adjusting the beam convergence angle. In order to increase total beam current, miniaturized electron optics have been designed for Multi-beam+Multi-column system. Reduction lens in the designed miniaturized electron optics with crossover free to reduce the influence of coulomb repulsion with narrow convergence half angle. Unlike conventional methods, the electron beams as principal rays do not intersect at one point, so even if the beam becomes extremely narrow, the coulomb repulsion effect does not increase at the crossover area. The reduction of the entire size of parallel beams in the designed electron optics was confirmed by simulation software. The simulation results showed that least confusion disk of 6.5 nm size was obtained at the beam convergence half angles of 3 mrad corresponding to the incident beam of ±0.1 mrad divergence angle. It showed that the miniaturized electron optics was suitable for 10 nm order EB writing. The crossover free electron optics of the miniaturized electron optics is possible due to dispersing the intersection points of the principal rays by a combination of a concentric electron optics and a tapered lens electrode of the reduction lens.
Developments of a Micro Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS) electrostatic Condenser Lens Array (CLA) for a Massively Parallel Electron Beam Direct Write (MPEBDW) lithography system are described. The CLA converges parallel electron beams for fine patterning. The structure of the CLA was designed on a basis of analysis by a finite element method (FEM) simulation. The lens was fabricated with precise machining and assembled with a nanocrystalline silicon (nc-Si) electron emitter array as an electron source of MPEBDW. The nc-Si electron emitter has the advantage that a vertical-emitted surface electron beam can be obtained without any extractor electrodes. FEM simulation of electron optics characteristics showed that the size of the electron beam emitted from the electron emitter was reduced to 15% by a radial direction, and the divergence angle is reduced to 1/18.
Making the best use of the characteristic features in nanocrystalline Si (nc-Si) ballistic hot electron source, an alternative lithographic technology is presented based on two approaches: physical excitation in vacuum and chemical reduction in solutions. The nc-Si cold cathode is composed of a thin metal film, an nc-Si layer, an n+-Si substrate, and an ohmic back contact. Under a biased condition, energetic electrons are uniformly and directionally emitted through the thin surface electrodes. In vacuum, this emitter is available for active-matrix drive massive parallel lithography. Arrayed 100×100 emitters (each emitting area: 10×10 μm2) are fabricated on a silicon substrate by a conventional planar process, and then every emitter is bonded with the integrated driver using through-silicon-via interconnect technology. Another application is the use of this emitter as an active electrode supplying highly reducing electrons into solutions. A very small amount of metal-salt solutions is dripped onto the nc-Si emitter surface, and the emitter is driven without using any counter electrodes. After the emitter operation, thin metal and elemental semiconductors (Si and Ge) films are uniformly deposited on the emitting surface. Spectroscopic surface and compositional analyses indicate that there are no significant contaminations in deposited thin films.
N. Koshida, A. Kojima, N. Ikegami, R. Suda, M. Yagi, J. Shirakashi, T. Yoshida, Hiroshi Miyaguchi, Masanori Muroyama, H. Nishino, S. Yoshida, M. Sugata, Kentaro Totsu, M. Esashi
Making the best use of the characteristic features in nanocrystalline Si (nc-Si) ballistic hot electron source, the alternative lithographic technology is presented based on the two approaches: physical excitation in vacuum and chemical reduction in solutions. The nc-Si cold cathode is a kind of metal-insulator-semiconductor (MIS) diode, composed of a thin metal film, an nc-Si layer, an n+-Si substrate, and an ohmic back contact. Under a biased condition, energetic electrons are uniformly and directionally emitted through the thin surface electrodes. In vacuum, this emitter is available for active-matrix drive massive parallel lithography. Arrayed 100×100 emitters (each size: 10×10 μm2, pitch: 100 μm) are fabricated on silicon substrate by conventional planar process, and then every emitter is bonded with integrated complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) driver using through-silicon-via (TSV) interconnect technology. Electron multi-beams emitted from selected devices are focused by a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) condenser lens array and introduced into an accelerating system with a demagnification factor of 100. The electron accelerating voltage is 5 kV. The designed size of each beam landing on the target is 10×10 nm2 in square. Here we discuss the fabrication process of the emitter array with TSV holes, implementation of integrated ctive-matrix driver circuit, the bonding of these components, the construction of electron optics, and the overall operation in the exposure system including the correction of possible aberrations. The experimental results of this mask-less parallel pattern transfer are shown in terms of simple 1:1 projection and parallel lithography under an active-matrix drive scheme.
Another application is the use of this emitter as an active electrode supplying highly reducing electrons into solutions. A very small amount of metal-salt solutions is dripped onto the nc-Si emitter surface, and the emitter is driven without using any counter electrodes. After the emitter operation, thin metal (Cu, Ni, Co, and so on) and elemental semiconductors (Si and Ge) films are uniformly deposited on the emitting surface. Spectroscopic surface and compositional analyses indicate that there are no significant contaminations in deposited thin films. The implication is that ballistic hot electrons injected into solutions with appropriate kinetic energies induce preferential reduction of positive ions in solutions with no by-products followed by atom migration, nuclei formation, and the subsequent thin film growth. The availability of this technique for depositing thin SiGe films is also demonstrated by using a mixture solution. When patterned fine emission windows are formed on the emitter surface, metal and semiconductor wires array are directly deposited in parallel.
The characteristics of a prototype massively parallel electron beam direct writing (MPEBDW) system are demonstrated. The electron optics consist of an emitter array, a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) condenser lens array, auxiliary lenses, a stigmator, three-stage deflectors to align and scan the parallel beams, and an objective lens acting as a reduction lens. The emitter array produces 10000 programmable 10 μm square beams. The electron emitter is a nanocrystalline silicon (nc-Si) ballistic electron emitter array integrated with an active matrix driver LSI for high-speed emission current control. Because the LSI also has a field curvature correction function, the system can use a large electron emitter array. In this system, beams that are incident on the outside of the paraxial region of the reduction lens can also be used through use of the optical aberration correction functions. The exposure pattern is stored in the active matrix LSI’s memory. Alignment between the emitter array and the condenser lens array is performed by moving the emitter stage that slides along the x- and y-axes, and rotates around the z-theta axis. The electrons of all beams are accelerated, and pass through the anode array. The stigmator and the two-stage deflectors perform fine adjustments to the beam positions. The other deflector simultaneously scans all parallel beams to synchronize the moving target stage. Exposure is carried out by moving the target stage that holds the wafer. The reduction lens focuses all beams on the target wafer surface, and the electron optics of the column reduces the electron image to 0.1% of its original size.
This study demonstrated our prototyped Micro Electro Mechanical System (MEMS) electron emitter
which is a nc-Si (nanocrystalline silicon) ballistic electron emitter array integrated with an active-matrix driving
LSI for high-speed Massively Parallel Electron Beam Direct Writing (MPEBDW) system. The MPEBDW
system consists of the multi-column, and each column provides multi-beam. Each column consists of emitter
array, a MEMS condenser lens array, an MEMS anode array, a stigmator, three-stage deflectors to align and to
scan the multi beams, and a reduction lens as an objective lens. The emitter array generates 100x100 electron
beams with binary patterns. The pattern exposed on a target is stored in one of the duplicate memories in the
active matrix LSI. After the emission, each electron beam is condensed into narrow beam in parallel to the axis
of electron optics of the system with the condenser lens array. The electrons of the beams are accelerated and
pass through the anode array. The stigmator and deflectors make fine adjustments to the position of the beams.
The reduction lens in the final stage focuses all parallel beams on the surface of the target wafer. The lens
reduces the electron image to 1%-10% in size.
Electron source in this system is nc-Si ballistic surface electron emitter. The characteristics of the
emitter of 1:1 projection of e-beam have been demonstrated in our previous work. We developed a Crestec
Surface Electron emission Lithography (CSEL) for mass production of semiconductor devices. CSEL system is
1:1 electron projection lithography using surface electron emitter. In first report, we confirmed that a test bench
of CSEL resolved below 30 nm pattern over 0.2 um square area. Practical resolution of the system is limited by
the chromatic aberration. We also demonstrated the CSEL system exposed deep sub-micron pattern over
full-field for practical use.
As an interim report of our development of MPEBDW system, we evaluated characteristics of the
emitter array integrated with an active-matrix driving LSI on the CSEL system in this study. The results of its
performance as an electron source for massively parallel operation are described. The CSEL as an experimental
set consisted of the emitter array and a stage as a collector electrode that is parallel to the surface of the emitters.
An accelerating voltage of about -5 kV was applied to the surface of the emitter array with respect to the
collector. The target wafer and the emitter array were set between two magnets. The two magnets generated
vertical magnetic field of 0.5 T to the surface of the target wafer. A gap between the emitter array and the target
wafer was adjusted to a focus length depending on electron trajectories in the electromagnetic field in the system.
The emitter array projected 100x100 electron beams with binary patterns and a dots image of its original size on
the target wafer. The certain array was examined in order to evaluate the property of the e-beam exposure.
We present a prototype electron emitter array integrated with an active-matrix driving large-scale integrated circuit (LSI) for a high-speed massively parallel direct-write electron-beam (e-beam) system. In addition, we describe the results of a performance evaluation of it as an electron source for massively parallel operations. The electron source is a nanocrystalline Si (nc-Si) ballistic surface electron emitter in which a 1∶1 projection of the e-beam can resolve patterns 30 nm wide. The electron-emitting part of the device consists of an array of nc-Si dots fabricated on an SOI or Si substrate and through silicon via (TSV) plugs connected to the dots from the back of the substrate. The device consists of an aligned joint of TSV plugs with driving pads on the active-matrix LSI. Electron emissions are driven by the LSI and are boosted to an appropriate level using a built-in voltage level shifter in accordance with a bitmap image preliminarily stored in the embedded memory. Electron emissions from a test array work as intended, showing the possibility of switching on and off the beamlets by changing the CMOS-compatible voltage.
KEYWORDS: Lithography, Coating, Deep ultraviolet, Polymers, Chemical vapor deposition, Silicon, Optical lithography, Polymer thin films, Atomic force microscopy, Microelectromechanical systems
This study reports on the investigation of the potential applicability of poly-glycidyl methacrylate (PGMA) films deposited via initiated chemical vapor deposition (i-CVD) as lithographic resists in the microfabrication of non-planar structures. We investigate the appropriate deposition conditions of i-CVD required to form PGMA films with smooth surfaces. As a result, under the optimal conditions determined by us, we fabricate films with nanometer-scale flat surfaces. Subsequently, we demonstrate that i-CVD is effective for conformally coating a high-aspect-ratio Si trench with PGMA film via our deposition experiments. In our deep-ultraviolet lithography experiment, we successfully fabricate a fine 20-μm line-and-space (L/S) pattern with a height of approximately 1 μm. Furthermore, in our electron-beam (EB) lithography experiment, we define a fine 350-nm L/S pattern with a height of 120 nm. In addition, the i-CVD process can be used to form highly-sensitive EB resist films; the lowest dose amount for patterning these films is evaluated to be less than 0.01 μC/cm2. Our results demonstrate that i-CVD is a potentially powerful method to conformally coat lithographic resist films on three-dimensional structures.
This paper presents our designed and prototyped structure of electron emitter array integrated with an active-matrix
driving LSI for high-speed massively parallel direct-write electron-beam (e-beam) system. In addition, the validation
results of its performance as an electron source for massively parallel operation are described. Electron source used in
this system is nanocrystalline Si (nc-Si) ballistic surface electron emitter where 1:1 projection of e-beam has been
demonstrated to resolve patterns of 30 nm in width in our previous work. Electron emitting part of the device consists of
arrayed dots of nc-Si emitter fabricated on SOI or Si substrate, and TSV (Through Silicon Via) plugs connected to the
dots from back side of the substrate. Forming an aligned joint of the TSV plugs with driving pads on the active-matrix
LSI constitutes the device. Electron emission is driven by the LSI operation, boosted up to appropriate level by the builtin
voltage level shifter, in accordance with a bitmap image preliminarily stored in an embedded memory. Electron
emission from a test structure of arrayed dot patterns of nc-Si emitter worked in practice, showing the possibility to
switch on and off the beamlets by changing CMOS-compatible voltage.
We have developed a novel debris-free in-air laser dicing technology, which is expected to give less failure of MEMS
devices and hence improves yields. Our technology combines two processes: a dicing guide fabrication and a wafer
separation process. The first process is internal transformation using a nanosecond Nd:YVO4 laser with high repetition
rate and/or a pulsed fiber laser with 200ns pulsewidth. The laser pulses are focused inside the MEMS wafer without surface ablation. In order to make cross-sectional internal transformation, the laser beam is scanned several times with defocusing. The laser scanning speed per each scanning is 100-700 mm/sec depending on the layer material, the machining time is much faster than the conventional blade dicing. The second process is non-contact separation by thermally-induced crack propagation using a CO2 laser or mechanical separation by bending stress. In the each separation process, the internal transformation fabricated in the first process worked well as the guide of separation, and the processed wafer was diced with low stress. This dicing technology was applied for 4-inch MEMS wafers, e.g. pressure sensors, etc., and the sensor chips were separated without mechanical damages.
This paper reports design, fabrication and evaluation of a novel scanning near-field probe for terahertz (THz) local
time domain spectroscopy (THz-TDS). A microfabricated scanning near-field optical microscopy (SNOM) probe was
assembled with a low-temperature-grown gallium arsenide (LT-GaAs) photoconductive antenna. The probe structure was
evaluated and determined by a finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) numerical simulation. The assembly was used as
the THz emitter and local THz source. Another LT-GaAs antenna situated at the opposite side was used as the detector. A
THz-TDS measurement using the microfabricated SNOM probe and photoconductive antenna was performed.
In this paper, we report on the design and fabrication of zinc oxide (ZnO) photoconductive antenna for a terahertz
(THz) pulse emitter and detector, and its integration with scanning near-field optical microscopy probe. The fabricated
ZnO photoconductive antennas are evaluated in a THz time-domain spectroscopy measurement system. The resistivity of
ZnO deposited by rf sputter at the room temperature was 9.6..104 ·cm. The bandwidth of ZnO photoconductive antenna
was up to 1 THz.c
This paper presents the fabrication and characterizations of a PZT actuated monolithic microstage with multi degrees of freedom (DOFs) used for high-precision positioning. The entire device is fabricated in a symmetrically arrangement from a PZT plate with a size of 15×15×0.8 mm3. Four actuation units with a displacement amplification mechanism are integrated in the structure. They can be driven individually which result in movements of a stage in different directions. The performances of the displacement and the resonant frequencies are simulated using a finite element method (FEM). Simulation results show the possibility of achieving a displacement of 8 μm in x- and y-axes and 10 μm in z-axis under the applied voltage of 100 V. A prototype has been fabricated and evaluated. Comparisons between FEM simulation and experimental results are carried out.
We microfabricated a MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical System) based thin palladium (Pd) membrane microreactor with oxidized porous silicon (PS) support. The membranes were characterized by permeation experiments with hydrogen, nitrogen, and helium at temperature ranging from 200°C to 250°C. The hydrogen flux through the Pd membrane with a thickness of 340 nm was 0.112 mol m-2 s-1 at 250°C and a partial pressure difference of 110 kPa. H2/N2 and H2/He selectivity was about 46 and 10 at 250°C, respectively. The thermal isolation of the Pd membrane, which was heated by an integrated microheater, was realized by using the oxidized PS. We also carried out the hydrogenation of 1-butene at 250°C using the developed microreactor. The results of long term test of about three months suggest that Pd membrane microreactor has a potential to be used in practical applications.
Grating waveguides were fabricated based on Nano-imprint lithography (NIL) and silicon mould replication techniques in this paper. Using a silicon mould repeatedly, low-cost grating waveguides can be fabricated in batches. The proposed grating waveguide is soft enough to be an optical sensing element for catheter, smart skin sensing unit of micro-robots, and etc. Further, these grating waveguides were coupled with optical fibers for its convenient applications. There are two main parts in this paper, the first is to fabricate a suitable silicon mould for replication of grating waveguides, and the second is to reprint grating waveguides by using the fabricated silicon mould. Basing on NIL technology proposed in 1995 by Professor Stephen Y Chou, silicon moulds of grating waveguides with pitch 0.75μm were fabricated on (100) silicon wafer. There are several methods to carry out the replication process, such as Hot embossing, Injection moulding, UV-replication and Casting moulding method. In this work, UV-replication and Casting moulding method was selected to fabricate the grating waveguide structures for its easy control and high fidelity. There are two associated challenging issues in the replicating process; one is to prevent the replicated materials from sticking to the mould for easily peeling off the replicated structure, the other is to find matching materials for the waveguide core and cladding to guarantee the optical characteristics of the grating waveguide. Grating waveguides with core size 4μm×20μm were fabricated successfully in this paper that demonstrated the novel idea of this paper.
POF (Plastic Optical Fiber) is more suitable than the quartz optical fiber for indoor LAN (Local Area Network), for example in-home or office networks because of its flexibility and ease of connection by relatively large core diameter.1 x 2 optical switches for indoor LAN using POF have been developed. For switching by movement of a POF, large displacement is necessary as core diameter is large (e.g. 0.486mm). A SMA (shape memory alloy) coil actuator is used for large displacement and a magnetic latching system is used for fixing the position of the shifted POF. Switching speed is less than 0.5 second and the insertion loss of the fabricated switch is 0.40 to 0.50dB. The insertion loss is 0.06 to 0.09dB using index-matching oil. PCF (Plastic Clad Fiber) has also large core diameter (e.g. 0.20mm) and an optical switches using PCF will be useful for short distance network between buildings.
Piezoelectric materials are attractive for sensor and actuator in micro device applications, because they have the good properties capable for actuation or sensing. Recently, the piezoelectric thin film with silicon process has been widely researched in MEMS. Moreover, the bulk piezoelectric materials are being worked for accurate actuator positioner and fast actuation system. However, the microfabrication of piezoelectric materials for these applications is difficult because of ceramic materials with low etching rate. In this study, the sol-gel derived PZT thick film was etched by wet etching method. Also we fabricated the PZT film cantilever structure by the lift-off method. The silicon mold method was used for the fabrication of micro multi-layer PZT actuator. In silicon mold method, silicon wafer was etched by deep dry etching method and the etched holes in silicon wafer was filled with the PZT powder. The structure having PZT power in the silicon holes was condensed using the hot isostatic pressing (HIP) sintering method for micro multi-layer PZT/silicon actuator.
Wafer process packaging using electrical feedthrough from glass holes has been applied for micromechanical sensors as electrostatically levitating micro motors (10,000 rpm) for rotational gyroscopes. Active catheters and sensors have been developed as maintenance tools used in narrow space. Silicon microstructures made by the deep RIE was used as molds for making ceramic microstructures. Hydrogen storage capacity of carbon nanotube was measured from the resonant frequency change of thin silicon cantilever which have the carbon nanotube on it. Multiprobe data storage devices have been fabricated using thermal probes of which tip size is 30 nm. The electrical feedthrough from the multiprobe was fabricated in a Pyrex glass plate by using Deep RIE (Reactive Ion Etching) and nickel electroplating. High density data recording to a phase change media (GeSbTe) was performed.
During the STM-based surface modification process, the phenomena of tip-sample interaction in the case of sample bias voltage were studied in the paper. It's found that the high local current density in the tip-to-sample spacing can raise the temperature in a very small volume near the surface of sample. The local high temperature environment resulted to local melting of SiO2 glass substrate with Cr film coating. During the modification process, the Si tip oscillated with large amplitude and inserted into the glass substrate due to attractive capillary force of molten liquid. The surface can be modified and a Cr-rich hillock formed in the scanning process. A jump-to-contact mechanism can be applied to explain the surface modification process. In some special conditions, the Si tip can be bonded with glass substrate in the area on micrometer scale. The bonding strength is high. The micro-bonding technique can be applied for assembly and repair of complicated MEMS.
Silicon bulk micromachining which is based on a silicon etching and a glass- silicon anodic bonding plays important roles to make micro sensors and micro actuators. Three dimensional microfabrication of other functional materials as piezoelectric materials are also important to develop high performance microactuators, micro energy source and so on. Vacuum sealing is required to prevent a viscous dumping for packages micromechanical sensors. Extremely small structures as microprobe are required for high resolution, high sensitivity and quick response. As sophisticated microsystems which are made of many sensors, circuits and actuators are required for example for maintenance tools used in a narrow space. Developments for those required will be described.
Silicon bulk micromachining which is based on a silicon etching and a glass-silicon anodic bonding plays important roles to make micro sensors and micro actuators. Three dimensional microfabrication of other functional materials as piezoelectric materials are also important to develop high performance microactuators, micro energy source and so on. Vacuum sealing is required to prevent a viscous dumping for packages micromechanical sensors. Extremely small structures as microprobe are required for high resolution, high sensitivity and quick response. As sophisticated microsystems which are made of many sensors, circuits and actuators are required for example for maintenance tools used in a narrow space. Developments for those required will be described.
Silicon bulk micromachining which is based on a silicon etching and a glass-silicon anodic bonding plays important roles to make micro sensors and micro actuators. Three dimensional microfabrication of other functional materials as piezoelectric materials are also important to develop high performance microactuators, micro energy source and so on. Vacuum sealing is required to prevent a viscous dumping for packages micromechanical sensors. Extremely small structures as microprobe are required for high resolution, high sensitivity and quick response. As sophisticated microsystems which are made of many sensors, circuits and actuators are required for example for maintenance tools used in a narrow space. Developments for those required will be described.
Silicon bulk micromachining which is based on a silicon etching and a glass-silicon anodic bonding plays important roles to make micro sensors and micro actuators. Three dimensional microfabrication of other functional materials as piezoelectric materials are also important to develop high performance microactuators, micro energy source and so on. Vacuum sealing is required to prevent a viscous dumping for packages micromechanical sensors. Extremely small structures as microprobe are required for high resolution, high sensitivity and quick response. As sophisticated microsystems which are made of many sensors, circuits and actuators are required for example for maintenance tools used in a narrow space. Developments for those required will be described.
Silicon bulk micromachining which is based on a silicon etching and a glass-silicon anodic bonding plays important roles to make micro sensors and micro actuators. Three dimensional microfabrication of other functional materials as piezoelectric materials are also important to develop high performance microactuators, micro energy source and so on. Vacuum sealing is required to prevent a viscous dumping for packages micromechanical sensors. Extremely small structures as microprobe are required for high resolution, high sensitivity and quick response. As sophisticated microsystems which are made of many sensors, circuits and actuators are required for example for maintenance tools used in a narrow space. Developments for those required will be described.
Silicon bulk micromachining which is based on a silicon etching and a glass-silicon anodic bonding plays important roles to make micro sensors and micro actuators. Three dimensional microfabrication of other functional materials as piezoelectric materials are also important to develop high performance microactuators, micro energy source and so on. Vacuum sealing is required to prevent a viscous dumping for packages micromechanical sensors. Extremely small structures as microprobe are required for high resolution, high sensitivity and quick response. As sophisticated microsystems which are made of many sensors, circuits and actuators are required for example for maintenance tools used in a narrow space. Developments for those required will be described.
We have developed a high sensitive and wide-band micro capacitive accelerometer for subsurface seismic measurements by using the micro machining technique which enables to fabricate three-dimensional micro structure and to realize small-size, low-cost and high performance sensors or actuators. The silicon capacitive micro accelerometers, which are used in automobiles for suspension control, brake control and air bags, are potentially be used for subsurface seismic measurements. However the sensitivity and the bandwidth of existing sensors are insufficient to detect seismic waves. The micromachining technique which we employed includes photolithography, anisotropic etching, reactive ion etching and anodic bonding. Problems in the fabrication process such as sticking of silicon mass on the electrode, buckling of spring beams, and a problem due to the squeezed film dumping effect have been resolved by improving the sensor structure and the silicon process. Finally, we have evaluated the characteristics of the sensor.
A bulk micromachining process for fabricating extremely high aspect ratio metal structures is developed. The structures are thin films perpendicular to the plane of the substrate. The metal structures offer various physical and chemical properties depending on the choice of the metal used. Internal stress considerations for the choice of metal are also discussed.
Advanced silicon micro sensors for pressure, acceleration, angular rate, infrared radiation and atomic force have been developed based on bulk silicon micromachining. Distortion- free, precise or very small micro-nanostructures enables extremely sensitive and quick response sensors. Packaged, capacitive and integrated sensors were fabricated. Electrostatic force balancing sensors and resonant sensors performed wide dynamic range and high sensitivity respectively. Novel micromachining techniques developed and applied for the sensors were vacuum packaging, distortion-free anodic bonding, deep RIE, XeF2 silicon etching, thickness monitoring during silicon etching, silicon nano-wire growth by electric field evaporation using UHV STM etc.
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