Patent ID: 6265139
Filing Date: 2001-07-24
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
A method for fabricating a micro actuator, using photolithography, which comprises the steps of:providing a metal vibrating plate;forming molds in fine patterns on the metal vibrating plate by use of a photolithographic technique in which a photoresist is coated and patterned on the metal vibrating plate;mixing a ceramic oxide powder and a ceramic sol solution, both identical or similar in composition, to prepare a ceramic paste, the ceramic oxide powder being produced by a method comprising the steps of:dissolving or uniformly dispersing a raw material of constituent ceramic elements in a solvent or dispersion medium thereby preparing a solution or dispersed mixture containing said constituent ceramic elements;adding citric acid in said solution or dispersed mixture, in which said constituent ceramic elements are dissolved or dispersed, at least in an amount required to generate an oxidative-reductive combustion reaction with anions of said constituent ceramic elements, thereby preparing a mixed solution; andthermally treating said mixed solution at a temperature of approximately 100 to 500.degree., thereby evaporating said solvent or dispersion medium while causing said citric acid to act as a reductive combustion aid after said evaporation of said solvent or dispersed medium, thereby generating a non-explosive oxidative-reductive combustion reaction with said anions of said constituent ceramic elements, so that said citric acid is removed as said combustion reaction proceeds, and ceramic oxide is produced without any scattering by virtue of heat generated during said combustion reaction, whereby ceramic oxide powder having a grain size of 5 .mu.m or less and exhibiting a uniform grain size distribution is finally produced;the ceramic sol solution being made in water or an organic solvent;filling the ceramic paste in the molds to form a piezoelectric/electrostrictive film;conducting a thermal treatment at 100 to 300.degree. C. to sinter the piezoelectric/electrostrictive film; andforming a top electrode on the piezoelectric/electrostrictive film.