Patent ID: 7160751
Filing Date: 2007-01-09
Classification: B81C

Abstract:
1. A process for making a microelectromechanical system having a moveable component defined by a patterned gap in a semiconductor layer of a silicon-on-insulator wafer, wherein the moveable component is integrally supported by the semiconductor layer above a hollow chamber defined in an insulator layer of the silicon-on-insulator wafer, comprising: providing a silicon-on-insulator wafer having a semiconductor layer adjacent an insulator layer; depositing an etch inhibiting material on the semiconductor layer in a desired pattern generally corresponding with a gap pattern that defines a moveable component of the device, the etch inhibiting material being resistant to deep reactive ion etching; patterning a photoresist mask over the semiconductor layer, the photoresist mask having a pattern that exposes a portion of the etch inhibiting material, and also exposes the semiconductor layer at selected locations overlying a portion of the insulator layer that is to be removed; deep reactive ion etching to partially etch openings through the semiconductor layer; wet etching to remove the exposed etch inhibiting material; deep reactive ion etching to extend the partially etched semiconductor openings through the semiconductor layer and expose the insulator layer, and at the same time partially etch a groove pattern into the semiconductor layer which corresponds with the desired gap pattern defining a moveable component; wet etching a portion of the insulator layer to develop a hollow chamber underlying the desired moveable component; and deep reactive ion etching to remove the remaining semiconductor material under the groove pattern to develop a gap pattern that defines the moveable component.