Patent ID: 9493346
Filing Date: 2016-11-15
CPC Classification: B81C

Claim Text:
1. An integrated circuit (IC) structure, comprising: an integrated circuit (IC) substrate including active devices which are coupled together through a conductive interconnect structure arranged thereover, wherein the conductive interconnect structure includes a series of horizontal conductive layers and dielectric regions arranged between neighboring horizontal conductive layers, and wherein the conductive interconnect structure includes an uppermost conductive horizontal region with a planar top surface region; a vapor hydrofluoric acid (VHF) barrier abutting the uppermost conductive layer, and having an upper VHF barrier surface exposed to the ambient environment by way of an opening; a MEMS substrate arranged over the IC substrate and including a flexible or moveable structure that flexes or moves commensurate with a force applied to the flexible or moveable structure; and analysis circuitry disposed on the IC substrate and configured to provide a pre-determined charge to the flexible or moveable structure and measure a corresponding change in voltage to measure a capacitance between the uppermost conductive horizontal region and the flexible or moveable structure.