Patent ID: 6402968
Filing Date: 2002-06-11
Classification: G01P

Abstract:
In a method for making a microelectromechanical capacitive accelerometer having a proofmass with a thickness along an input axis of the accelerometer and at least one conductive electrode from a single semiconductor wafer having a predetermined thickness, the improvement comprising:depositing a planar layer on the wafer which is relatively thin along the input axis; stiffening the planar layer to form the at least one conductive electrode which is stiff so as to resist bending movement along the input axis; and forming a substantially uniform narrow gap between the at least one conductive electrode and the proofmass wherein the thickness of the proofmass is at least one order of magnitude greater than the thickness of the planar layer, and wherein the thickness of the proofmass is substantially equal to the predetermined thickness of the wafer.