Micromechanical component and method for producing the same

A method of manufacturing a micromechanical component has a substrate (1), a movable sensor structure (6) in a micromechanical functional layer (5) located over the substrate; a first sealing layer (8) on the first micromechanical functional layer (5) which is at least partly structured; a second micromechanical functional layer (10) on the first sealing layer (8), which has at least one sealing function and is anchored at least partly in the first micromechanical functional layer (5); and a second sealing layer (8) on the second micromechanical functional layer (10). The sensor structure (6) is provided with trenches (7) whose width is not larger than a maximum trench width (66), which is sealable by the first sealing layer (8) in the form of plugs (9) which do not extend to the trench bottoms.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a micromechanical component. The present invention also concerns a micromechanical component made by the method.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Micromechanical components have been manufactured using the following steps: providing a substrate; providing a first micromechanical functional layer on the substrate; structuring the first micromechanical functional layer in such a manner that it has a sensor structure to be made movable; providing and structuring a first sealing layer on the structured first micromechanical functional layer; providing and structuring a second micromechanical functional layer on the first sealing layer, the second micromechanical functional layer having at least one sealing function and anchored at least partially in the first micromechanical functional layer; making the sensor structure movable; and providing a second sealing layer on the second micromechanical functional layer. German Published Patent Application No. 100 17 422.1 discusses a method of manufacturing a micromechanical component and a micromechanical component made by the method.

Monolithically integrated inertial sensors manufactured by surface micromechanics (SMM), in which the sensitive movable structures are situated on the chip without protection (analog devices) are conventional. This may result in increased expenses for handling and packaging.

This problem may be circumvented by a sensor in which the structures manufactured by surface micromechanics are covered by a second cap wafer. This type of packaging is responsible for a large share (approximately 75%) of the cost of an SMM acceleration sensor. These costs may arise as a result of the large sealing surface area that may be required between the cap wafer and the sensor wafer and are due to the complex structuring (2–3 masks, bulk micromechanics) of the cap wafer.

The structure of a function layer system and a method for hermetic capping of sensors using surface micromechanics is discussed in German Patent Application No. 195 37 814. The manufacture of the sensor structure using conventional technological methods is discussed. The cited hermetic capping is performed using a separate cap wafer made of silicon, which is structured using expensive structuring processes such as KOH etching. The cap wafer is applied to the substrate together with the sensor (sensor wafer) using a seal glass. This may require a wide bonding frame around each sensor chip to ensure an adequate adhesion and sealing ability of the cap. This may limit the number of sensor chips per sensor wafer considerably. Due to the large amount of space which may be required and the expensive manufacture of the cap wafer, sensor capping may incur considerable costs.

German Published Patent Application No. 100 17 422.1 relates to a manufacturing method and component based on a conventional SMM process, and discusses creating epitaxial polysilicon having a thickness of at least 10 μm to form a micromechanical functional layer. No new permeable layer may be required, but conventional processes may be used.

The SMM process is simplified, because the cap wafer may no longer be required and the structures can be bonded from the top due to the second micromechanical functional layer, which assumes at least one sealing function.

Furthermore, the functionality of the process is enhanced, i.e., additional mechanical and/or electrical components are available to the designer for implementing the component. In particular, the following function elements may be produced:a pressure sensor membrane in the second micromechanical functional layer;a printed circuit structure in the second micromechanical functional layer, which may intersect an additional printed circuit structure provided above the second sealing layer;low-resistance aluminum leads in the top of the additional printed conductor structure provided in the second sealing layer;a vertical differential capacitor; andadditional anchor points of the structures of the first micromechanical functional layer in the second micromechanical functional layer.

Conventional IC (Integrated Circuit) packaging methods such as hybrid, plastic, flip-chip, etc., may also be used.

FIG. 6shows a detail V of a micromechanical component for elucidating the disadvantages sought to be overcome by the present invention.

InFIG. 6, reference number1identifies a silicon substrate wafer;4identifies a sacrificial oxide,5identifies a first micromechanical functional layer in the form of an epitaxial polysilicon layer,6identifies a sensor structure (comb structure) to be made subsequently movable by etching sacrificial layer4and layer8,7identifies trenches in first micromechanical functional layer5,8identifies a first sealing oxide (LTO, TEOS or the like), which may be a refill layer,9identifies plugs in trenches7, composed of sealing oxide8, and10identifies a second micromechanical functional layer in the form of an epitaxial polysilicon layer having a sealing function.

In the refill process for depositing layer8, trenches7of sensor structure6to be made movable are filled, i.e., as shown, plugged at the top only, thus producing a planar surface, on which second micromechanical functional layer10having the sealing function is applied, for example, as epitaxial polysilicon. In particular in the case of sensor structures6having a high aspect ratio, which are produced from the above-mentioned surface micromechanical epitaxial polysilicon, it is very difficult to fill deep trenches7. Therefore, as shown, only the wafer surface is covered and trenches7are only sealed, i.e., plugged using plugs9, on the top.

This refill process is only capable of sealing trenches7up to a width of approximately 5 μm without much oxide being deposited on the bottom of trench7. This maximum width A provides the maximum possible vibration amplitude of the respective movable sensor structure6, which forms a rotational rate sensor, for example.

FIG. 7shows a modification of the detail ofFIG. 6to elucidate the disadvantages sought to be overcome by the present invention.

If wider trenches77(having a width of 15 μm, for example) were to be sealed using the refill process described with reference toFIG. 6, maximum possible deflection A′ of a movable sensor structure6would be further limited, namely to the thickness of refill material8on the side wall of movable sensor structure6(after removal of refill material8).

FIG. 8shows another modification of the detail ofFIG. 6to elucidate the disadvantages sought to be overcome by the present invention.

FIG. 8shows the deposition of refill material8on the surface not to scale for greater clarity.

In order to make maximum deflection A″ of movable sensor structure6of the same magnitude as wider trench77, wider trench77may be completely filled with refill material8so that sealing polysilicon10will only be deposited above sensor structure6. This may result in the following disadvantages of the process control:a longer deposition process of refill material8;additional required planarization of refill material8, because high steps are created and no accurate lithography, required for contact holes22, for example, may be possible any longer; anda long and more complex process for removing the refill material.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The manufacturing method of the present invention and the micromechanical component of the present invention may have the advantage that the maximum possible deflection amplitude for the movable sensor structure may be achievable.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a comb structure with intermeshing comb teeth is provided in the sensor structure, the sum of the width of a comb tooth and two distances to the next adjacent comb tooth is designed to be less than or equal to the maximum trench width.

According to an exemplary embodiment, a folded spiral spring structure is provided in the sensor structure, the distance between the folds being equal to the maximum trench width, so that the maximum vibration amplitude is equal to the number of folds times the maximum trench width.

According to another exemplary embodiment, a sacrificial layer is provided on the substrate, and the sacrificial layer is etched to make the sensor structure movable. In a simplified version, the substrate may be provided with a sacrificial layer and the first micromechanical functional layer may be provided as a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) structure.

According to another exemplary embodiment, the first micromechanical functional layer is structured in such a manner that it has passages extending to the sacrificial layer. Furthermore, the second micromechanical functional layer is structured in such a manner that it has second passages extending to the first sealing layer, the second passages being connected to the first passages by connection areas of the first sealing layer. The first sealing layer is then etched to remove the connection areas using the second passages as etch channels. Finally, the sacrificial layer is etched using the first and second passages connected together by the removal of the connection areas. This may minimize the cost of the etching processes since it is possible to etch the sacrificial layer and the first sealing layer in one step.

Thus, etch channels running through the first and second micromechanical functional layer and the first sealing layer between them are produced to remove the optionally provided sacrificial layer. This may make it possible to increase the thickness of the second micromechanical functional layer and improve its strength and/or stiffness. As a consequence, it may be possible to span larger areas and expose the components to greater stress. When removing the sacrificial layer, it may not be necessary to be concerned with the aluminum of the printed conductors or the like since it is not applied until a later point in time.

According to another exemplary embodiment, a buried polysilicon layer is provided below the first or second micromechanical functional layer. It may also be possible to dispense with the buried polysilicon and an insulation layer below it since additional wiring levels above the sensor structure are available.

According to another exemplary embodiment, the first and second sealing layer are designed substantially thinner than the first and second micromechanical functional layer.

According to another exemplary embodiment, the first and/or second sealing layers are provided by a non-conforming deposition in such a manner that only the upper areas of the first and second passages, respectively, are plugged. This reduces the etching time for removal of the sacrificial layer since only a portion of the passages is obstructed.

According to another exemplary embodiment, the first and/or second passages are designed as trenches or holes which narrow toward the top.

According to another exemplary embodiment, the first and/or second micromechanical functional layers may be made of a conductive material, which may be polysilicon.

According to another exemplary refinement, the first and/or second sealing layers may be made of a dielectric material, which may be silica.

According to another exemplary embodiment, one or more printed conductor layers, which may be made of aluminum, may be provided on the second sealing layer.

According to another exemplary embodiment, a printed conductor structure may be integrated into the second micromechanical functional layer.

An exemplary embodiment of the present invention may implement movable sensor structures having large maximum vibration amplitudes despite the refill process and without process modifications.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Although it is applicable to any micromechanical components and structures, in particular to sensors and actuators, the present invention is elucidated with reference to a micromechanical component, e.g., an acceleration sensor, that is manufacturable using silicon surface micromechanical technology.

In the figures, identical reference symbols denote identical or functionally equivalent components.

FIG. 1shows a schematic top view of the first micromechanical functional layer of a micromechanical component according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

In the exemplary embodiment illustrated inFIG. 1, a comb structure is provided in micromechanical functional layer5, having a comb drive in the direction of vibration99, which may have the following design features.

No distance between two structural elements is greater than maximum distance66, which may be sealed by the refill process. This maximum distance may be approximately 5 rm. This may allow the maximum deflection to be achieved.

In the comb structure, the sum of width22of a comb tooth and two distances44to adjacent comb teeth is less than or equal to maximum distance66(e.g., comb tooth width 2 μm+2×distance 1.5 μm=5 μm).

Each edge88of movable sensor structure6, which is perpendicular to the direction of vibration99, is provided with a transversal comb structure.

In this example, the transversal comb structures are used as drive structures and detection structures for generating vibrations of sensor structure6. The maximum vibration amplitude55in the direction of vibration99is easily determinable from the design.

Furthermore, in the case of the folded helical spring60, the maximum vibration amplitude55is increased due to the number of folds; specifically, maximum vibration amplitude55is equal to the number of folds (here six) times maximum distance66, i.e., the maximum trench width.

This design is also applicable to rotationally vibrating structures by implementing curved transversal comb structures.

FIG. 2shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a micromechanical component according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention in a first process stage.

InFIG. 2, reference number1identifies a silicon substrate wafer,2identifies a lower oxide,3identifies a buried polysilicon layer,4identifies a sacrificial oxide,20identifies a contact hole in lower oxide2, and21identifies contact holes in sacrificial oxide4.

In order to manufacture the structure shown inFIG. 2, lower oxide2is initially deposited on the entire surface of silicon substrate wafer1. In a following step, polysilicon is deposited and structured in order to produce printed conductors in buried polysilicon layer3.

Subsequently sacrificial oxide4is applied to the entire surface of the structure, for example, using an LTO (Low Temperature Oxide) method or a TEOS (tetraethyl-orthosilicate) process. Then contact holes20and21are created at the points provided for this purpose using conventional photo and etching technology.

FIG. 3shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the micromechanical component according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention in a second process stage.

In addition to the reference symbols introduced previously, inFIG. 3, reference number5identifies a first micromechanical functional layer in the form of an epitaxial polysilicon layer,6identifies a sensor structure (comb structure) to be subsequently made movable,7identifies trenches in first micromechanical functional layer5,8identifies a first sealing oxide (LTO, TEOS, or the like),9identifies plugs in trenches7, made of sealing oxide8,16identifies oxide connection areas for the subsequent sacrificial oxide etching, and22identifies contact holes in sealing oxide8.

In order to produce the structure shown inFIG. 3, initially epitaxial polysilicon is deposited in the conventional manner to form first micromechanical functional layer5, and micromechanical functional layer5is structured to form sensor structure6to be made movable and trenches7.

This is followed by a refill process to seal trenches7using sealing oxide8and subsequently by optional planarization. Although not mentioned expressly below, such planarization may be performed in principle after any full-surface layer deposition.

In the example shown, refill is not complete, but covers the structure underneath 100% only upwards and also provides sealing. This is illustrated inFIG. 6in more detail.

A process for forming contact holes22using conventional photographic and etching methods follows. These contact holes22are used for anchoring second micromechanical functional layer10to be applied later (seeFIG. 4) and for delimiting oxide connection areas16for the later sacrificial oxide etching.

FIG. 4shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the micromechanical component according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention in a third process stage.

In addition to the reference symbols already introduced, inFIG. 4, reference number10identifies a second micromechanical functional layer in the form of an epitaxial polysilicon layer, and11identifies trenches in second micromechanical functional layer10.

In order to form the structure shown inFIG. 4, second micromechanical functional layer10is deposited in a manner similar to first micromechanical functional layer5as a stable sealing layer for sensor structure6underneath. In addition to this sealing function, second micromechanical functional layer10may also be used for contacting, as a lead, as an upper electrode, etc. for the component. Structuring of this layer10follows to produce trenches11, which may be needed later, together with trenches9, for the sacrificial oxide etching.

FIG. 5shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the micromechanical component according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention in a fourth process stage.

In addition to the reference symbols already introduced, inFIG. 5, reference number13denotes a second sealing oxide (LTO, TEOS or the like),14a contact hole in sealing oxide13, and15a printed conductor level made of aluminum which is connected to second micromechanical functional layer10via contact holes14.

Starting from the process stage shown inFIG. 4, the following steps are carried out to achieve the process stage according toFIG. 5. First, sealing oxide8is etched to remove oxide connection areas16using second trenches11as etch channels. Sacrificial layer4is then etched using first and second trenches7,11connected together by removing connection areas16as etch channels. A long sacrificial oxide etching is possible since no aluminum is present on the surface at this time.

In a subsequent process step, a second refill process forms second sealing oxide13, this deposition also not being a conforming deposition but rather only the surfaces of trenches11are plugged. This is illustrated in greater detail inFIG. 6. The internal pressure or internal atmosphere contained in sensor structure6is a function of the process conditions of the refill process. These parameters determine, for example, the damping of the sensor structure.

Second sealing oxide13is then structured to form contact holes14, and printed conductor level15made of aluminum is deposited and structured.

Although the present invention has been described above on the basis of an exemplary embodiment, it is not limited to it but instead is modifiable in a variety of ways.

In particular, any micromechanical base materials such as, e.g., germanium may alternatively be used and not only the silicon substrate cited as an example.

Also, any sensor structures may be formed and not only the acceleration sensor illustrated.

Although not shown in the figures, trenches7and11may be designed to narrow toward the top in order to promote the non-conforming deposition of first and second sealing layers8,13.

The layer thicknesses of first and second micromechanical functional layer5,10may be varied by the epitaxial and planarization process in a simple manner since the sacrificial layer etching does not depend on the permeability of the second micromechanical functional layer.

The micromechanical functional layer/sealing layer sequence may be repeated and it may also be possible to provide a buried printed conductor under each particular micromechanical functional layer above the underlying micromechanical functional layer.

Finally, it may also be possible to apply additional wiring levels made of aluminum or other suitable metals with dielectric materials lying between them.

It may also be possible to planarize the individual levels using chemical-mechanical polishing, for example, in a single polishing step, which may be only for the second sealing level.