Patent ID: 8802476
Filing Date: 2014-08-12
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
1. A method of manufacturing a thermocouple comprising: forming a thick dielectric layer and a thin dielectric layer formed over a first portion of a substrate; forming a first portion of a first conductive layer that extends over at least a portion of the thin dielectric layer, wherein the first layer is made of a first material having a first Seebeck coefficient; forming a second portion of the first conductive layer that extends over at least a portion of the thick dielectric layer; forming an oxide layer over the first conductive layer; etching the oxide layer to form a first aperture that is generally coextensive with at least a portion of the first conductive layer and the thin dielectric layer and to form a second aperture that is generally coextensive with at least a portion of the first conductive layer and the thick dielectric layer; filling the first and second apertures to form first and second conductive paths that is formed between the second conductive layer and the second portion of the first conductive layer, wherein the first and second conductive paths have a second Seebeck coefficient; forming a first interconnect path that is coupled to the first portion of the first conductive layer, and wherein the first interconnect path has a third Seebeck coefficient; and forming a second conductive layer over the oxide layer, wherein the second conductive layer extends over at least a portion of each of the thin dielectric layer and the thick dielectric layer, wherein the second conductive layer is configured to receive infrared radiation so as to create a vertical temperature gradient between the second conductive layer and the substrate, forming a second interconnect path that is coupled to the second portion of the first conductive layer; and etching the second conductive layer to form first and second portions of the second conductive layer that are substantially electrically isolated from one another.