Patent ID: 8071486
Filing Date: 2011-12-06
Classification: B08B,B81C,H01L

Abstract:
1. A method of making a MEMS integrated device with moving mechanical parts, comprising: performing an anhydrous vapor release step to release the moving mechanical parts in said MEMS device, said release step comprising subjecting a partially fabricated MEMS device including sacrificial material to hydrogen fluoride vapor to remove said sacrificial material; subsequently performing a cleaning step to remove fluoride residues created in the release step wherein the MEMS device is placed in a chamber containing dry water vapor wherein the pressure/temperature ratio of the water vapor lies in the range of about 0.005 to 0.007 atm/K and wherein there is no condensation on the MEMS device, and wherein the MEMS device is exposed in said chamber to said dry water vapor for a period of time sufficient dissolve said fluoride residues in said dry water vapor, and wherein ammonium fluorosilicate is formed during said release step, and prior to performing said cleaning step, said MEMS device is subjected to an evaporation step to remove said ammonium fluorosilicate.