Patent ID: 7446044
Filing Date: 2008-11-04
Classification: B82Y,G11C,H01H,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A method for manufacturing a nanoelectromechanical (NEM) switch comprising the steps of: providing a conductive substrate; providing a dielectric material on said conductive substrate; creating a trench in said dielectric material, said trench having first and second walls extending down to said conductive substrate; depositing a refractory metal onto said conductive substrate within said trench, said refractory metal forming a first pull electrode; depositing a catalyst on a surface supported by said dielectric material for in-situ growth of at least one carbon nanotube (CNT) across said trench, placing said switch in a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) furnace for said in-situ growth; growing in-situ said at least one CNT that crosses said trench, said at least one CNT at least mechanically connected to said conductive substrate; and after said growth of said at least one CNT, depositing first and second contact electrodes on said opposite ends of said trench to contact said CNT.