Abstract:
A micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) device can include a substrate and a first beam suspended relative to a substrate surface. The first beam can include a first portion and a second portion that are separated by an isolation joint made of an insulative material. The first and second portions can each include a first semiconductor and a first dielectric layer. The MEMS device can also include a second beam suspended relative to the substrate surface. The second beam can include a second semiconductor and a second dielectric layer to promote curvature of the second beam. The MEMS device can also include a third beam suspended relative to the substrate surface. The third beam consists essentially of a first material. The second beam is configured to move relative to the third beam in response to an acceleration along an axis perpendicular to the surface of the substrate.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation application of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/027,209, filed Feb. 14, 2011, which is incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention is directed generally to micro-electromechanical system devices (MEMS devices), and more particularly to MEMS devices having an integral electrical isolation structure. 
     2. Background Art 
     MEMS devices are electrical and mechanical devices that are fabricated at substantially microscopic dimensions utilizing techniques well known in the manufacture of integrated circuits. Present commercial applications of MEMS devices are predominantly for pressure and inertial sensing, for example, accelerometers and gyroscopes used in hand-held devices, for example, cell phones and video game controllers. 
     For example, a MEMS device that is an accelerometer can detect when the cell phone experiences acceleration such as when the phone is rotated from a portrait orientation to a landscape orientation. Such a inertial sensing MEMS device can include a case or substrate, a mass resiliently held within the case, and a deflection sensor for measuring relative motion between the case and the mass. When an acceleration is experienced, the mass moves relative to the case, and the sensor measures the deflection. In most cases, the acceleration is directly proportional to the amplitude of the deflection. Processing steps have been developed to make a MEMS device having such a mass and deflection sensor. When a MEMS device is constructed using processes such as the one disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,239,473 to Adams et al., silicon beams coated with silicon dioxide on three sides can be formed. These beams can have an isolation joint that moves with the rest of the structure. These isolation joints enable multiple electrical signals to be routed to multiple places within a device and applied to multiple electrical components such as sensors and actuators. However, MEMS devices fabricated according to the process outlined in U.S. Pat. No. 6,239,473 are susceptible to shock damage, interconnect damage, and frit seal failure. 
     Shock Damage 
     One cause of shock damage in an inertial sensing MEMS device relates to a dielectric coating on the sidewalls of the beams. If subjected to large accelerations, for example, when a cell phone or game controller strikes the ground after being dropped, the sidewalls of the beams can contact each other, causing the dielectric coating to wear by chipping or abrasion. During the wear process, chemical bonds between molecules in the dielectric sidewall coatings are broken, creating an electrical charge on the sidewall surface. Because these sidewall surfaces are often silicon dioxide, an insulating material, the electrical charges do not dissipate quickly. The charges can persist for hours or even days after the mechanical shock occurred. At the size scale of MEMS devices, these charges can affect the operation of the MEMS device. 
     An electrical charge on the outer surface of the dielectric sidewall coatings can causes a net force on the beam. This net force is indistinguishable from an acceleration that causes the beam to move. Therefore, a charged device produces a false acceleration signature. 
     Interconnect Damage 
     In addition to damage to the dielectric sidewall coatings, offset shifts can also be created by a permanent plastic deformation or bend in the metal used to electrically interconnect various portions of the MEMS device from the application of large forces during operation. Plastic deformation of the interconnect metal can causes the entire beam to deform, which can cause a perceived offset shift and a false acceleration signature. 
     The interconnect metal can also be deformed by large temperature excursions. MEMS devices fabricated using the process discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,239,473 comprise multiple materials, for example, silicon dioxide, silicon, and aluminum. Each of these materials has a different coefficient of thermal expansion, meaning that as the temperature changes, each material expands different amounts. Because the materials are joined together, the materials all deform approximately the same amount, causing a stress. If the stress levels are large enough, the materials can permanently deform. Aluminum deforms easier than either silicon or silicon dioxide. Accordingly, when a MEMS device is subjected to high temperatures excursions, for example, temperature excursions during the solder reflow cycles, the aluminum can plastically deform, causing a perceived offset shift and a false acceleration signature. The actual amount that a device deforms depends on the structural design and the quantity of metal used. For example, an accelerometer fabricated using the process discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,239,473 moves about 20 nm per g of acceleration. Due to the plastic deformation of the metal during reflow, the rest position of the accelerometer may shift up to 2 nm which is equivalent to a false reading of 100 mg&#39;s. 
     Minimizing the thickness of the interconnect metal can reduce the deleterious effects. However, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,239,473, the metal bond pads and the metal seal ring surface are formed from the same layer of metal comprising the interconnect metal, and the metal bond pads and the metal seal ring surface have minimum thickness requirements to function properly. Thus, a solution for reducing interconnect damage is not as simple as merely reducing the thickness of the metal layer forming the interconnect. 
     Seal Failures 
     MEMS devices such as those described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,239,473 use a lid to form a hermetic seal around the beams of the substrate. The lid can be coupled to the substrate using a frit seal that interfaces with a metal seal ring surface. If the interface between the frit seal and the metal seal ring surface is interrupted, for example, by a metal trace running directly under the metal seal ring surface to a bond pad, the interface between the lid and the substrate is weakened. The interface can also be weakened when the metal traces are covered locally with a passivation oxide to prevent any electrical interactions with the lid or fit seal. Accordingly, when a MEMS device having an interrupted interface between the lid&#39;s frit seal and the metal seal ring surface is subjected to excessive environmental stresses, the MEMS can fail caused by the weakened seal. 
     Accordingly, there is need for improved MEMS devices that can better withstand mechanical shocks, reduce the risk of metal interconnect damage, and provide improved frit seals. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In an embodiment, a MEMS device can include a substrate and a first beam suspended relative to a surface of the substrate. The first beam can include a first portion and a second portion that are separated by an isolation joint. The isolation joint can be made of an insulative material. The first and second portions can each comprise a first semiconductor and a first dielectric layer. The MEMS device can also include a second beam suspended relative to the surface of the substrate. The second beam can include a second semiconductor and a second dielectric layer to promote curvature of the second beam. The MEMS device can further include a third beam suspended relative to the surface of the substrate. The third beam consists essentially of a first material. The second beam can be configured to move relative to the third beam in response to an acceleration along an axis perpendicular to the surface of the substrate. 
     In an embodiment, a computer-program product can include a computer-readable storage medium that contains instructions that, if executed on a computing device, define a MEMS device. The MEMS device can include a substrate and a first beam suspended relative to a surface of the substrate. The first beam can include a first portion and a second portion that are separated by an isolation joint. The isolation joint can be made of an insulative material. The first and second portions can each comprise a first semiconductor and a first dielectric layer. The MEMS device can also include a second beam suspended relative to the surface of the substrate. The second beam can include a second semiconductor and a second dielectric layer to promote curvature of the second beam. The MEMS device can further include a third beam suspended relative to the surface of the substrate. The third beam consists essentially of a first material. The second beam can be configured to move relative to the third beam in response to an acceleration along an axis perpendicular to the surface of the substrate. 
     In an embodiment, a hand-held device can include a MEMS device. The MEMS device can include a substrate and a first beam suspended relative to a surface of the substrate. The first beam can include a first portion and a second portion that are separated by an isolation joint. The isolation joint can be made of an insulative material. The first and second portions can each comprise a first semiconductor and a first dielectric layer. The MEMS device can also include a second beam suspended relative to the surface of the substrate. The second beam can include a second semiconductor and a second dielectric layer to promote curvature of the second beam. The MEMS device can further include a third beam suspended relative to the surface of the substrate. The third beam consists essentially of a first material. The second beam can be configured to move relative to the third beam in response to an acceleration along an axis perpendicular to the surface of the substrate. 
     Further features and advantages of the invention, as well as the structure and operation of various embodiments of the invention, are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It is noted that the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described herein. Such embodiments are presented herein for illustrative purposes only. Additional embodiments will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s) based on the teachings contained herein. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS/FIGURES 
       The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form part of the specification, illustrate the present invention and, together with the description, further serve to explain the principles of the invention and to enable a person skilled in the relevant art(s) to make and use the invention. 
         FIG. 1  is a top view of a MEMS device having an isolation joint that is fabricated according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a top view of a MEMS device having an isolation joint that is fabricated according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIGS. 3-23  illustrate an exemplary method of making a MEMS device according to an embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     The features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the detailed description set forth below when taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which like reference characters identify corresponding elements throughout. In the drawings, like reference numbers generally indicate identical, functionally similar, and/or structurally similar elements. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     It is noted that references in the specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “an example embodiment,” etc., indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to effect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described. 
     As mentioned above, the present invention is directed to improved MEMS devices having isolation joints that can better withstand mechanical shocks, that reduce the risk of interconnect damage, and that provide a better fit seal. For example, MEMS devices according to embodiments of the present invention can better withstand mechanical shocks by removing dielectric material from portions of the MEMS device that contact each other during shock. Removing dielectric material from such contact portions prevents electrical charges that can create forces from forming. According to another embodiment, MEMS devices can reduce the risk of interconnect damage by forming a metal trace and a bond pad with different layers of metal, which allows the metal trace to have different properties than the bond pad. Additionally, other embodiments provide MEMS devices that have an improved frit seal because the metal trace does not disrupt the seal. Accordingly, MEMS devices having isolation joints that can better withstand mechanical shocks, reduces interconnect damage, and provides a better frit seal and methods of making such MEMS devices will be described. 
       FIG. 1  is a top view CAD drawing used to create of MEMS device  100  according to an embodiment. MEMS device  100  can include a metal bond pad  101  and a metal trace  104 . The metal bond pad  101  can be connected to the metal trace at connection  102 . MEMS device  100  can also include a metal seal ring surface  103  for coupling with a lid (not shown). Metal trace  104  can run underneath the metal seal ring surface  103 . MEMS device  100  can have one or more beams, for example, beams  106 ,  107 , and  108 . Beams  106 ,  107 , and  108  can be used in inertial sensing MEMS devices such as those described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,430,909 to Adams et al., the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein. 
       FIG. 2  is a top view of a MEMS device according to another embodiment. In this embodiment, metal seal ring surface  103  is continuous—metal seal ring surface  103  completely surrounds the entire beam structure  110 , which can include one or more beams. Accordingly, a continuous, uninterrupted seal can be formed about beam structure  110 . 
     The MEMS devices  100  illustrated in  FIGS. 1-2  are embodiments presented herein for illustrative purposes only. The invention is not limited to the specific embodiments illustrated in  FIGS. 1-2 . For example, a MEMs device can have a beam structure comprising any number of beams and beam configurations, and multiple beams can have isolation joints. 
       FIGS. 3-23 , which illustrate a cross section of MEMS device  100  along line  3 - 3 , disclose embodiments of making MEMS device  100 . In  FIG. 3 , an isolation trench  121  can be formed in a substrate  120 . The substrate can be, for example, a silicon wafer that is boron doped to 5 mOhm-cm with a &lt;100&gt; stallographic orientation. Doping levels, resistivity, and crystallographic orientation, however, can vary. The substrate  120  can also have a dielectric layer, for example, silicon dioxide (not shown). For example, substrate  120  can be thermally oxidized to form a 500 nm oxide mask layer; however, any other suitable method can be used such as chemical vapor deposition (CVD). 
     In an embodiment, isolation trench  121  can be formed using any suitable lithographic technique, for example, photolithography, electron-beam lithography, imprint lithography, and any other suitable form of lithography. A resist (not shown) can be spun onto substrate  120 , and an isolation trench pattern can be defined in the resist and the oxide mask layer (if present) using, for example, a plasma dry etch in CHF 3  and O 2 . The isolation trench pattern can be transferred to substrate  120  to form isolation trench  121  where isolation joint  105  will be formed. In one embodiment, a silicon etch chamber running the Bosch process that alternates between etching (for example, SF 6  etching) and passivation (for example, using C 4 F 8 ) can be used to form the isolation trench  121 . After the substrate  120  is etched, the resist and oxide mask layer can be removed using any suitable technique. Isolation trench pattern  121  can have any suitable profile, for example, a reentrant profile in which the top is narrower than the bottom as illustrated in  FIG. 3 . An embodiment includes a profile that monotonically increases in width. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , isolation trench  121  can be filled with a dielectric material  123 , for example, silicon dioxide or any other suitable dielectric material. In an embodiment, a silicon wafer can be thermally oxidized to form a layer of silicon dioxide. The silicon wafer can be oxidize at approximately 1100 C to 1200 C with wet oxidation to form silicon dioxide having a thickness of about 1.5 to 2.5 μm. An opening  124  of isolation trench  121  can be sealed, and a void  125  may remain after the oxidization process. 
     Optionally, any divots in the dielectric layer  123  at opening  124  can be planarized. For example, a resist-based planarization can be used to reduce or eliminate a divot at opening  124 . During such a planarization step, dielectric layer  123  on top of the substrate  120  can be reduced to a thickness of about 0.5 μm to 1.5 μm. However, this thickness can vary based on the particular MEMS device being fabricated. Although a resist planarization is described, other suitable planarization techniques can be used, for example, chemical mechanical polishing. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , an opening or via  130  can be formed in dielectric layer  123 . Any suitable lithographic technique, for example, photolithography, and dry etching can be used to define via  130  in dielectric layer  123 . Via  130  can be used to electrically couple the substrate  120  to a subsequent metal layer. Optionally, the surface of substrate  120  exposed at via  130  can by prepared for such an electrical coupling by forming a layer of oxide on the exposed surface, for example, by thermally and dry oxidizing substrate  120  at about 850 C to 950 C to form about 100 A of oxide. This oxide layer can then be dipped off in liquid HF prior to forming a metal layer over the top of the exposed surface of substrate  120 . 
     Subsequently, as illustrated in  FIG. 6 , a metal layer  140  can be formed. In an embodiment, metal layer  140  can have a thickness of about 2500 A to 3500 A. In other embodiments, the thickness of metal layer  140  can be formed as thin as possible without compromising the structural integrity. Metal layer  140  can be aluminum, titanium nitride, aluminum-silicon, aluminum-silicon-copper, or any other suitable metal or alloy. 
     In an embodiment, metal layer  140  can be patterned to define the metal trace  104  that serves as an interconnect layer on the MEMS device that runs along beam  106  as illustrated in  FIG. 7 . Metal trace  104  can include a proximal end portion  142  and a distal end portion  144 . Proximal end portion  142  can form connection  102  with the metal bond pad  101  as illustrated in  FIG. 14  and described below. Distal end portion  144  can be electrically coupled to a distal portion of substrate  120  through via  130 . Metal trace  104  can be formed using any suitable lithographic technique, for example, photolithography, and metal etching. 
     As shown in  FIG. 8 , a dielectric passivation layer  160  can be formed, covering metal trace  104  and dielectric layer  123  on substrate  120 . Dielectric passivation layer  160  can protect metal trace  104  during subsequent etching steps. In an embodiment, passivation layer  160  can be a TEOS oxide that is deposited at a high power to promote a higher density film, which better resists etching. In one example, a TEOS oxide can be deposited using an AMAT P5000 deposition tool running at about 400 C with approximately 1100 W of RF power, at approximately 8.2 mTorr pressure, with flow rates of approximately 1000 mg/min of TEOS, approximately 1000 sccm of O 2 , and approximately 1000 sccm of He. Passivation layer  160 , however, can be any suitable dielectric material. 
     As shown in  FIG. 9 , portions of dielectric passivation layer  160  can be removed. For example, if passivation layer  160  is an oxide, passivation layer  160  can be patterned using any suitable lithographic technique, for example, photolithography, and etched with dry oxide etching. In an embodiment, patterned dielectric passivation layer  160  can include a base  170  for the metal seal ring surface  103  (see  FIG. 14 ) and remnants  172  that persist adjacent to topography changes created by metal trace  104 . In one example, dielectric passivation layer  160  is patterned and etched to expose distal end portion  142  of metal trace  104  from underneath dielectric passivation layer  160 . 
     In an embodiment, any residue formed on substrate  120  from etching dielectric passivation layer  160  can be removed. For example, during a dry etch, residual polymers can form on vertical surfaces, and standard techniques for removing the resist used during the dry etch do not remove all of the residual polymers. Such polymers can produce unwanted features such as inhibition of subsequent etching, variability in etch rates, and irregular sheets of residual material that can peel off and obstruct beam movement. In one example, the residual polymers can be removed using REZI-78 residue removers. In one embodiment, the removal step can be followed with a spin-rinse-dry cycle. 
     Next, as shown in  FIG. 10 , an opening  180  can be formed in dielectric layer  123  on the distal side of substrate  120 . Opening  180  can be formed using any suitable lithographic technique, for example, photolithography, and dry oxide etching. In one embodiment, opening  180  corresponds to the top of a beam, for example, beam  108  (see  FIG. 16 ). In an embodiment, any residue formed on the substrate  120  while etching dielectric material layer  123  can removed. 
     A second dielectric passivation layer  190  can be formed as shown in  FIG. 11 . For example, second dielectric passivation layer  190  can be a TEOS oxide having a thickness of about 4500 A to 5500 A. The TEOS oxide can be deposited at a lower power than at which passivation layer  160  was deposited, for example, 900W of RF power, so that passivation layer  190  is more susceptible to subsequent etching steps than passivation layer  160 . Although second dielectric passivation layer  190  is described above as a TEOS oxide, passivation layer  190  can be other suitable dielectric materials. Passivation layer  190  can be an inter-metal dielectric layer that insulates metal trace  104  from subsequent layers of metal to be formed. Passivation layer  190  can also be used as a mask to pattern a beam such as beam  108  (see  FIG. 16 ). 
     As shown in  FIG. 12 , passivation layer  190  can be patterned and etched. In an example, an opening or via  200  can be formed in the dielectric passivation layer  190 , exposing a surface of dielectric layer  123  and proximal end portion  142  of metal trace  104 . Any suitable lithographic technique, for example, photolithography, and etching can be used to form via  200 . In one embodiment, any residue remaining from etching passivation layer  190  can be removed. 
     Next, a second metal layer  210  can be formed on the substrate  120  as shown in  FIG. 13 . Dielectric passivation layer  190  can be between second metal layer  210  and metal trace  104  except at exposed portion  142  of the metal trace  104 . Second metal layer  210  can be aluminum, titanium nitride, aluminum-silicon, aluminum-silicon-copper, or any other suitable metal or alloy. For example, second metal layer  210  can be pure aluminum having a thickness of about 6500 A to 7500 A or any other suitable thickness to form metal bond pad and to form an interface for sealing with a glass fit. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 12 and 13 , second metal layer  210  can be patterned and etched. In one embodiment, a metal bond pad  101  and a metal seal ring surface  103  can be formed. In an embodiment, second metal layer  210  can be patterned such that the metal seal ring surface  103  surrounds the beam structure of MEMS device  100 , creating a continuous seal when coupled to a lid (see  FIGS. 22-23 ). In an example, second metal layer  210  can be patterned using any suitable lithographic technique and metal etching, for example, a wet or dry aluminum etching. In an embodiment, an opening or gap  212  can be formed. Gap  212  is between the metal seal ring surface  103  and connection  102  of metal trace  104  and bond pad  101 . Gap  212  can allow a lid to be coupled to the metal seal ring surface  103  without metal trace  104  or metal bond pad  101  running immediately below the lid, which would disrupt the seal between the lid and the metal seal ring surface  103 . This configuration can improve the seal strength. 
     In an embodiment, first metal layer  140  can form metal trace  104 , and second material layer  210  can form metal bond pad  101  and metal seal ring surface  103 . Using two layers of metal, allows metal trace  104  to have a different thickness than the bond pad  101  and metal seal ring surface  103 . For example, in an embodiment, the thickness of first metal layer  140  is smaller than the thickness of the second metal layer  210 . Accordingly, metal trace  104  that runs along a beam can be thin, which minimizes the influence of metal trace  104  on a beam despite the amount of plastic deformation that occurs from bending caused by an applied force or the fabrication process. Meanwhile, metal bond pad  101  and metal seal ring surface  103  can be thick, which promotes a durable frit seal with a lid at metal seal ring surface  103  and electrical connections at bond pad  101 . 
     To protect metal bond pad  101  and metal seal ring surface  103  from subsequent etching, a dielectric passivation layer  230  can be formed on the substrate  120 , covering at least metal bond pad  101  and metal seal ring surface  103  as shown in  FIG. 14 . In an embodiment, dielectric passivation layer  230  can be a TEOS oxide deposited to a thickness of approximately 1,500 A to 2,500 A. In one embodiment, the TEOS oxide can be deposited at low power, for example, approximately 900 W of RF power, to promote a later etching step. 
     As shown in  FIG. 16 , substrate  120  can be patterned and etched to create at least one trench that can define a profile of a beam. For example, trenches  242 ,  244 , and  246  can be formed in substrate  120  to define the profiles of beams  106 ,  107 , and  108 . In one embodiment, trenches  242 ,  244 , and  246  can be formed by using any suitable lithographic technique, for example, photolithography, and a series of dry etching steps that etch dielectric passivation layer  230 , dielectric passivation layer  190 , dielectric layer  123 , and substrate  120 . In one example, a standard plasma dry etch using CHF 3  and O 2  can be used to etch dielectric passivation layer  230 , dielectric passivation layer  190 , and dielectric layer  123 . In an embodiment, substrate  120  can be etched using a silicon etch chamber running the Bosch process. In another embodiment, metal trace  104  can be etched if it is within the masking stack. In yet another embodiment, any residue remaining from etching passivation layer  230 , passivation layer  190 , dielectric layer  123 , and substrate  120  can be removed. 
       FIG. 17  shows an embodiment in which a fourth dielectric layer  250  can be formed on the substrate  120 , covering at least the sidewalls  251  and floors  252  of the trenches  242 ,  244 , and  246  formed in substrate  120 . The fourth dielectric layer  250  can be an oxide. In one embodiment, the oxide is a TEOS oxide deposited at a low power, for example, approximately 1000 W of RF power. 
     As shown in  FIG. 18 , portions of dielectric layer  250  that are formed on trench floors  252  can be removed. For example, an oxide layer  250  on trench floors  252  can be removed with an anisotropic dry oxide etch, exposing surfaces of substrate  120 . In an embodiment, any residue formed on sidewalls  251  by the dry etch can be removed. By removing the residue on sidewalls  251 , portions of dielectric layer  250  remaining on sidewalls  251  can be more easily removed in a subsequent etching step because such residues would inhibit a subsequent etch. 
     Next, as shown in  FIG. 19 , the depth of trenches  242 ,  244 , and  246  can be extended by further etching substrate  120 . In an example, a silicon substrate  120  can be etched using an anisotropic silicon extension etch. The resulting regions  270  of trenches  242 ,  244 , and  246  can have sidewalls without dielectric layer  250 . In one example, the depth of exposed regions  270  can be about 2 μm to 15 μm. The depth, however, can vary depending on the desired width of the beams  106 ,  107 , and  108 . The depth of exposed portions  270  can help define the distance between the resulting silicon beams  106 ,  107 , and  108  and the floor of the substrate  120 . In one embodiment, the residue formed from the silicon extension etch is not removed so that the wafer can be directly transitioned to a release etch, as described below, without venting the etch chamber, which can reduce the amount of native oxides that form on the substrate surface and can reduce any disruption to the initiation and reproducibility of the release etch. Alternatively, the residue can be removed. 
     Next, at least one beam can be formed. For example, beams  106 ,  108 , and  109  can be formed by a release etch.  FIG. 20  shows an exemplary MEMS device after a release etch, for example, a dry isotropic silicon release etch such as a plasma etcher using SF 6 . The release etch can create a cavity  280  that separates beams  106 ,  107 , and  108  from a floor  282  of the substrate  120 , thereby allowing beams  106 ,  107 , and  108  to flex or move during operation of MEMS device  100 . In an embodiment, after the release etch, beams  106  and  107  can have dielectric layer  123  and passivation layer  190  on top, while beam  108  can have only dielectric passivation layer  190  on top due to the opening  180  formed in oxide layer  123  during a prior processing step. 
     In one embodiment, portions of dielectric layer  250  that are formed on the sidewalls of beams  106 ,  107 , and  108  can be removed as shown in  FIG. 21 . For example, these portions of dielectric layer  250  can be removed using a hydrogen fluoride (HF) vapor etching system such as a PRIMAXX system for approximately 4 minutes. Removing these portions of dielectric layer  250  on sidewalls  251  of beams  106 ,  107 , and  108  can be advantageous. As discussed above, if there is a dielectric layer on sidewalls  251 , electrical charges can develop in the sidewall coatings when the beams contact each other during operation of the MEMS device. By removing dielectric layer  250 , the outer surface of sidewalls  251  comprises silicon, a semiconductor, and not a dielectric material. Accordingly, any electrical charges created from beam contact can dissipate quickly, which helps prevent a force from being applied to the beams. In an embodiment, the HF vapor etch is controlled so that etching of isolation joint  105  is reduced. If the HF vapor etch is uncontrolled, isolation joint  105  can be weakened since it can comprise silicon dioxide like dielectric layer  250 . However, when isolation joint  105  is made from thermal oxide, isolation joint  105  etches at a slower rate than dielectric layer  250 . 
     In another embodiment, dielectric layer  250  and passivation layer  190  can be removed from the top of the substrate during the HF vapor etch, exposing bond pad  101  and gap  212  around metal seal ring surface  103 . This removal allows for wire bonding with the bond pad  101  and a lid to seal with the metal seal ring surface  230 . In another embodiment, passivation layer  190  on top of beams  107  and  108  is removed during the HF vapor etch. 
     In one embodiment, the thickness of dielectric layer  250  and passivation layer  190  can be minimized to reduce the etching of the isolation joint  105  during the HF vapor etch. For example, the thickness of dielectric layer  250  and passivation layer  190  can be less than about 450 nm, and preferably less than about 400 nm. Any thickness below about 450 nm can minimize the etching effect on isolation joint  105 . In another embodiment, an antistiction coating can be applied to help prevent beams  106 ,  107 , and  108  from sticking during operation of the MEMS device. 
     As shown in  FIG. 22 , a lid  300  can be coupled to the device at metal seal ring surface  103 . Lid  300  can form a hermetic seal with the substrate  120 . Lid  300  can include a metal seal region  305 . In an embodiment, metal, seal region  305  can be, for example, aluminum deposited at 7,000 A. The metal seal region  305  can be patterned and etched using any suitable lithographic technique, for example, photolithography, and metal etching. Lid  300  can also have a bump stop  304  that prevents over flexing of one or more beams, for example, beam  108 . Bump stop  304  can be formed by using any suitable lithographic technique, for example, photolithography, and silicon etching, for example, an anisotropic dry silicon etching, to define a recess  302 . Lid  300  can also have a recess  303  along an outer edge defining a channel  306 . Recess  303  can be formed using a wafer dicing saw to facilitate the removal of the channel silicon. A glass frit  310  can be formed on lid  300  by, for example, using a screen printer and a furnace heated up to about 420 C. 
     Lid  300  can be bonded with the substrate  120  by, for example, using a standard wafer bonder such as an EVG  501  bonder. After bonding, channel  306  can be removed to expose bond pad  101 . Channel  306  can be removed by any suitable means, for example, a wafer dicing saw. The wafer dicing saw can be aligned using a preexisting pattern on the top of lid  300 , or using an IR dicing saw that can see alignment marks through the lid on the lower side of the wafer.  FIG. 23  shows lid  300  with channel  306  removed. 
     In another embodiment, a MEMS device can have a beam with an integrated isolation joint and a metal trace, for example, beam  106 ; a beam having an dielectric coating on top, for example, beam  107 ; a beam comprising only silicon, for example, beam  108 ; or any combination thereof. Beams having an isolation joint and a metal trace are useful in complex MEMS devices requiring multiple electrical potentials such as gyroscopes as in U.S. Pat. No. 6,626,039. Beams having a dielectric coating on top are useful for devices needing bowed beams, such as those described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,430,909, for enabling out-of-plane capacitive sensors. Beams comprising only silicon are useful for inertial sensors having surfaces that will impact and potentially charge if made or coated with a dielectric material. 
     EXAMPLES SOFTWARE IMPLEMENTATIONS 
     In addition to hardware implementations of MEMS devices described above, such MEMS devices may also be embodied in software disposed, for example, in a computer usable (e.g., readable) medium configured to store the software (e.g., a computer readable program code). The program code causes the enablement of embodiments of the present invention, including the fabrication of MEMS devices disclosed herein. 
     For example, this can be accomplished through the use of general programming languages (such as C or C++), hardware description languages (HDL) including Verilog HDL, VHDL, Altera HDL (AHDL) and so on, or other available programming and/or schematic capture tools (such as circuit capture tools). The program code can be disposed in any known computer usable medium including semiconductor, magnetic disk, optical disk (such as CD-ROM, DVD-ROM) and as a computer data signal embodied in a computer usable (e.g., readable) transmission medium (such as a carrier wave or any other medium including digital, optical, or analog-based medium). As such, the code can be transmitted over communication networks including the Internet and intranets. It is understood that the functions accomplished and/or structure provided by the systems and techniques described above can be embodied in program code and may be transformed to hardware as part of the production of MEMS devices.