Patent ID: 6461888
Filing Date: 2002-10-08
Classification: B81B,B81C

Abstract:
A process for forming a cantilever beam that is connected to, and electrically isolated from, a conductive body having an upper surface, comprising:to a first depth below said upper surface, etching a trench, having a floor and sidewalls, and then coating said floor and sidewalls with a first layer of an insulating material; just filling the trench with a conductive material of choice and then forming a second layer of insulating material over said upper surface; on said second insulating layer, forming a mask that covers the filled trench and that defines an opening, said opening being disposed so that the filled trench lies partly inside and partly outside the opening; through said mask, etching the conductive body to form a cavity that extends to a second depth below said upper surface, the second depth being greater than the first depth, thereby transforming that portion of the filled trench that is inside the cavity into a pedestal; with the mask still in place, selectively removing all exposed conductive material thereby forming the cantilever beam through release of the pedestal from the cavity floor; removing the mask and then selectively removing all exposed insulating material; and forming an electrical contact to the beam, said contact being electrically isolated from the conductive body.