Patent ID: 6238580
Filing Date: 2001-05-29
Classification: B81C

Abstract:
A method for stiction free release of a structure from a substrate, the method comprises the steps of,forming a sacrificial oxide layer on a substrate,forming a structural layer on the sacrificial oxide layer,defining a photolithographic image structure on the structural layer,structure etching the structural layer to remove a field portion of the structural layer resulting in the structure,wet acid etching a field portion of the sacrificial oxide layer resulting in a support portion of the sacrificial oxide layer between the substrate and the structure,rinsing and drying the structure and the support portion,generating a vapor from a solution of water and hydrofluoric acid having an acid concentration of greater than or equal to 45% by weight, andvapor acid etching the support portion with the vapor and releasing the structure from the substrate without stiction.