Patent ID: 6644101
Filing Date: 2003-11-11
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
A sensor element for outputting a signal in response to a mechanical deformation applied to the sensor element, comprising:a sample plate arranged within an opening of a substrate; at least two tethers, one end of each tether being attached to the sample plate, the other end of each tether being attached to the substrate so as to support the sample plate; a piezo-resistive portion in each of the tethers; and first and second electrically conductive lines formed on the tethers and the substrate, connecting each piezo-resistive portion with first and second contact pads formed on the substrate, wherein the at least two tethers are arranged so that a mechanical outline of the sample plate and tethers is only invariant to a rotation of 120Â° or 180Â° about an axis of rotation normal to the plane of the sample plate and passing through the center of the sample plate.