Patent ID: 6022754
Filing Date: 2000-02-08
Classification: G01N,H01L

Abstract:
A method for forming a membrane for supporting an active region of an electronic device, the method comprising the steps of:providing a semiconductor substrate formed of a semiconductor material;forming a membrane over the semiconductor substrate comprising a single dielectric layer of an oxy-nitride material, the composition of the oxy-nitride material being selected such that the oxy-nitride material has a Young's Modulus substantially the same as the Young's Modulus of the substrate semiconductor material, a thermal expansion substantially the same as the substrate semiconductor material and a thermal conductivity in the range 1-30 Wm.sup.-1 K.sup.-1 ;forming the active region of the electronic device over the single dielectric layer; andremoving a portion of the semiconductor substrate so as to provide a cavity in the substrate, the single dielectric layer extending across the cavity.