Patent ID: 8536059
Filing Date: 2013-09-17
Classification: B81B,B81C,H01L

Abstract:
1. A method for etching a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) device comprising: providing a substrate comprising a MEMS device formed on a surface thereof, wherein the MEMS device comprises a sacrificial material disposed between two electrodes; relatively moving an etching gas inlet and the substrate; directing a gas stream comprising a gas phase etchant at a surface of the MEMS device through the etching gas inlet, wherein directing the gas stream comprises flowing at least a portion of the gas stream along at least one flow guide surface arranged adjacent to the etching gas inlet, and the flow guide surface is configured to guide the gas stream from the etching gas inlet substantially parallel to the substrate, wherein the first flow guide surface and a height between the first flow guide surface and the substrate define an active etching zone with an aspect ratio of a width of the first flow guide surface to the height greater than about 10:1; and selectively etching to remove the sacrificial material from between the two electrodes of the MEMS.