Abstract:
A method of manufacturing a MEMS structure including forming a porous layer having a predetermined thickness on the top surface of a substrate over an area where a cavity is to be formed; forming the cavity by etching the substrate below the porous layer; forming a membrane layer on the top surface to seal the cavity; and forming a structure on the upper side of the membrane layer. After forming a cantilever structure on the membrane layer and etching the membrane layer, a cantilever structure is produced in a floating state over the cavity. Also, at least one inlet hole and outlet hole can be formed in the porous layer and the membrane, thereby providing a sealed fluidic channel.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119 from Korean Patent Application No. 2005-06283, filed on Jan. 24, 2005, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a micro electro mechanical system structure, a cantilever-type micro electro mechanical system structure, and a sealed fluidic channel. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a micro electro mechanical system structure, a cantilever-type micro electro mechanical system structure, and a sealed fluidic channel that eliminates the necessity of using a sacrificial layer provided at a predetermined interval from a substrate. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     According to a surface micro-machining technology which is based on a semiconductor integrated circuit manufacturing process for machining a thin film element, it is possible to manufacture a minute structure on a silicon substrate and to couple it with semiconductor circuitry, so that a micro electro mechanical system (hereinafter, referred to as “MEMS”) element such as a micro-sensor can be manufactured. Here, in the remaining portion of the minute structure, excepting one side or both sides thereof, it is necessary to form a space so as to float the minute structure over the substrate. Therefore, in order to form the minute structure, a method of using a sacrificial layer has been adopted, and materials which have a good etching selectivity to the structure material have been used as the sacrificial layer. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,762,471 discloses an example of forming a minute structure by using a sacrificial layer as discussed above. 
       FIG. 1  shows a known minute thin film resonator, which illustrates the construction of the thin film resonator disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,762,471. 
     In its construction, the thin film resonator  100  is provided with a supporting member (e.g. supporting layer)  155 , posts  140  and  141 , a first electrode  165 , an insulating film  175 , and a second electrode  185 . The thin film resonator  100  is formed with a predetermined gap (e.g., air gap) on the substrate  110 . On the substrate  110 , a circuit  105  is present, to which the second electrode  175  and the circuit  105  are connected through a connecting member  220 . 
       FIGS. 2A to 2G  illustrate the process used to form the thin film resonator shown in  FIG. 1  with a predetermined gap on the substrate, in which a first electrode  165 , an insulating film  175 , and a second electrode  185  forming a floating structure with a predetermined gap D will be discussed. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2A , the sacrificial layer  120  is deposited on the substrate  110 , and then holes  130  and  131  are formed. Next, referring to  FIG. 2B , a BPSG (borophosphosilicate glass) layer  135  is deposited. Here, the BPSG layer  135  is embedded through holes  130  and  131  to form posts  140  and  141 , which support the thin film resonator  100  that will be formed in the subsequent step. As shown in  FIG. 2C , BPSG layer  135 , which is deposited on the sacrificial layer  120 , is polished. Subsequently, referring to  FIG. 2D , in the upper side of the sacrificial layer  120  in which posts  140  and  141  are embedded via holes  130  and  131 , a silicon nitride layer  150  is deposited, which becomes a support layer  155 . Next, a first metal layer  160  which forms the first electrode  165  is deposited, and a second metal layer  180  which forms the second electrode  185  is deposited. Referring to  FIG. 2E , the second metal layer  180 , the insulating layer  170 , and the first metal layer  160  are patterned sequentially in a shape of the thin film resonator  100 . Referring to  FIG. 2F , a silicon nitride film  150  is patterned in a shape of the support layer  155 , in which openings  195  and  196  are formed. Referring to  FIG. 2G , an etching solution containing a hydrofluoric (hereinafter, referred to as “HF”) acid solution moves through the openings  195  and  196  to remove the sacrificial layer  120 . Thereafter, washing and drying steps are carried out to form the thin film resonator  100 . 
     The sacrificial layer is generally removed by a wet etching process, i.e., the process of etching after immersing the wafer into a chemical solution containing a HF solution, and then washing and drying. 
     However, in the above-mentioned conventional method, an undesirable stiction phenomenon occurs, in which the minute structure (e.g., thin film resonator  100 ) moves down in a space C from which the sacrificial layer is removed due to a capillary force as a result of surface tension during the drying step after washing. 
     Such stiction phenomenon deteriorates the performance of the minute structure, which leads to a decrease in yield due to failure of the element during manufacturing. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In order to overcome the problems described above, a primary object of the present invention is to provide a method of manufacturing the minute structure without using a sacrificial layer. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a method of manufacturing a cantilever-type MEMS structure based on the manufacturing process of a minute structure. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide a method of manufacturing a sealed fluidic channel based on the above-mentioned manufacturing process of a minute structure. 
     In order to accomplish the objects described above, according to a first aspect of the present invention, a method of manufacturing a MEMS structure is provided which comprises: forming a trench in a P-type silicon substrate; forming an oxide film (e.g., SiO 2 ) on a P-type silicon substrate to form a barrier by embedding the trench with the oxide film; removing the oxide film formed on the substrate, except for the barrier embedded in the trench; forming a mask layer on the substrate where the oxide film has been removed and removing a portion corresponding to an inside of the barrier; forming a porous layer having a predetermined thickness on the upper side of the substrate corresponding to the inside of the barrier; removing the substrate corresponding to the lower area of the porous layer to form a cavity; removing the mask layer formed outside the barrier, sealing the upper side of the cavity with a membrane layer; and then forming a structure on the upper side of the membrane layer. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the trench is formed by deep reactive ion etching (deep RIE). 
     In another preferred embodiment, the oxide film is formed by thermal oxidation of the silicon substrate or by thin film deposition on the silicon substrate. 
     The step of removing the oxide film formed on the substrate except for the barrier embedded in the trench is preferably carried out by chemical mechanical polishing. 
     In another preferred embodiment, the mask layer is preferably formed of a silicon nitride film, the deposition of the mask layer is performed by chemical vapor deposition, and the etching of the mask layer is performed by reactive ion etching. 
     In the step of forming the porous layer, preferably the P-type silicon substrate is immersed into a chemical solution to treat it electrochemically, in which an electric current lower than a critical current value is applied. 
     In the step of forming the cavity, preferably the P-type silicon substrate is immersed into a chemical solution to treat it electrochemically, in which an electric current larger than a critical current value is applied. 
     In the step of forming the membrane layer, the membrane layer is preferably formed of an insulating material, and the insulating material includes an oxide film such as SiO 2 , a silicon nitride film such as Si 3 N 4 , and a polysilicon film. 
     Here, the oxide film can be formed by thermal oxidation or thin film deposition such as chemical vapor deposition; and the silicon nitride film can be formed by thin film deposition such as chemical vapor deposition. 
     The polysilicon film can be deposited by physical vapor deposition, and the like. 
     According to a second aspect, the present invention provides a method of manufacturing a MEMS structure which comprises depositing a mask layer for cavity formation on an N-type silicon substrate and removing an area where a cavity is to be formed; doping a P-type material on the substrate where the mask layer has been removed to form a P-type silicon layer; forming a porous layer having a predetermined thickness on the upper side of the P-type silicon layer; removing the P-type silicon layer corresponding to the lower area of the porous layer to form a cavity; removing the mask layer formed on the substrate; sealing the upper part of the cavity with a membrane layer; and forming a structure on the upper side of the membrane layer. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the mask layer is preferably formed of silicon nitride, and the etching of the mask layer is formed by reactive ion etching. 
     In the step of forming the porous layer, preferably the silicon substrate is immersed into a chemical solution to treat it electrochemically, in which an electric current smaller than a critical current value is applied. 
     In the step of forming the cavity, preferably the silicon substrate is immersed into a chemical solution to treat it electrochemically, in which an electric current larger than a critical current value is applied. 
     In the step of forming the membrane layer, the membrane layer is preferably formed of an insulating material, and the insulating material may include an oxide film such as SiO 2 , a silicon nitride film such as Si 3 N 4 , and a polysilicon film. 
     Here, the oxide film can be formed by thermal oxidation or thin film deposition such as chemical vapor deposition. 
     The silicon nitride is preferably formed by thin film deposition such as chemical vapor deposition. 
     The polysilicon film can be formed by, for example, chemical vapor deposition or physical vapor deposition, and the like. 
     The doping of a P-type material can be performed by ion implantation or thermal diffusion. 
     According to a third aspect, the present invention provides a method of manufacturing a cantilever-type MEMS structure which comprises forming a trench in a P-type silicon substrate; forming an oxide film (e.g., SiO 2 ) on the P-type silicon substrate to form a barrier by embedding the trench with the oxide film; removing the oxide film formed on the substrate except for the barrier embedded in the trench; forming a mask layer on the substrate where the oxide film has been removed and removing a portion corresponding to an inside of the barrier; forming a porous layer having a predetermined thickness on the upper part of the substrate corresponding to the inside of the barrier; etching the substrate corresponding to the lower area of the porous layer to form a cavity; removing the mask layer formed outside the barrier; forming a membrane layer on the substrate and the porous layer; forming a cantilever-type structure on the upper side of the membrane layer and patterning it in a shape of the cantilever-type structure; and etching the membrane layer including the porous layer so as to float one end of the cantilever-type structure over the cavity. 
     According to a fourth aspect, the present invention provides a method of manufacturing a cantilever-type MEMS structure which comprises forming a trench in a P-type silicon substrate; forming an oxide film (e.g., SiO 2 ) on the P-type silicon substrate to form a barrier by embedding the trench with the oxide film; removing the oxide film formed on the substrate except for the barrier embedded in the trench; forming a mask layer on the substrate where the oxide film has been removed and removing a portion corresponding to an inside of the barrier; forming a porous layer having a predetermined thickness on the upper part of the substrate corresponding to the inside of the barrier; etching the substrate corresponding to the lower area of the porous layer to form a cavity; removing the mask layer formed outside the barrier; forming a cantilever-type structure on the substrate and the porous layer, and patterning it in a shape of the cantilever-type structure; and etching the porous layer so as to float one end of the cantilever-type structure over the cavity. 
     According to a fifth aspect, the present invention provides a method of manufacturing a cantilever-type MEMS structure which comprises depositing a mask layer for cavity formation on a N-type substrate and removing an area where the cavity is to be formed; doping a P-type material into the substrate where the mask layer has been removed, to form a P-type silicon layer; forming a porous layer in a predetermined thickness on the upper part of the P-type silicon layer; removing the P-type silicon layer corresponding to the lower area of the porous layer to form a cavity; removing the mask layer formed on the substrate; forming a membrane layer on the substrate and the porous layer; forming a cantilever-type structure on the upper side of membrane layer and patterning it in a shape of the cantilever-type structure; and etching the membrane layer including the porous layer to float one end of the cantilever-type structure on the cavity. 
     According to a sixth aspect, the present invention provides a method of manufacturing a cantilever-type MEMS structure which comprises depositing a mask layer for cavity formation on an N-type silicon substrate and removing an area where the cavity is to be formed; doping a P-type material into the substrate in those areas where the mask layer has been removed to form a P-type silicon layer; forming a porous layer having a predetermined thickness on the upper part of the P-type silicon layer; removing the P-type silicon layer corresponding to the lower area of the porous layer to form a cavity; removing the mask layer formed on the substrate; forming a cantilever-type structure on the substrate and the porous layer, and patterning it in a shape of the cantilever-type structure; and etching the porous layer so as to float one end of the cantilever-type structure on the cavity. 
     According to a seventh aspect, the present invention provides a method of manufacturing a sealed fluidic channel which comprises forming a trench in a P-type silicon substrate; forming an oxide film (e.g., SiO 2 ) on the P-type silicon substrate to form a barrier by embedding the trench with the oxide film; removing the oxide film formed on the substrate except for the barrier embedded in the trench; forming a mask layer on the portion of the substrate where the oxide film has been removed and removing a portion corresponding to the inside of the barrier; forming a porous layer having a predetermined thickness on the upper part of the substrate corresponding to the inside of the barrier; etching the substrate corresponding to the lower area of the porous layer to form a cavity; removing the mask layer formed outside the barrier; forming a membrane layer on the substrate and the porous layer; and forming at least one inlet hole for inflow of the fluid and at least one outlet hole for discharge of the fluid in the porous layer and the membrane layer. 
     According to an eighth aspect, the present invention provides a method of manufacturing a sealed fluidic channel which comprises depositing a mask layer for cavity formation on an N-type silicon substrate and removing an area where the cavity is to be formed; doping a P-type material into the substrate in those areas where the mask layer has been removed to form a P-type silicon layer; forming a porous layer having a predetermined thickness on the upper part of the P-type silicon layer; removing the P-type silicon layer corresponding to the lower area of the porous layer to form a cavity; removing the mask layer formed on the substrate; forming a membrane layer on the substrate and the porous layer; and forming at least one inlet hole for inflow of the fluid and at least one outlet hole for discharge of the fluid in the porous layer and the membrane layer. 
     According to the method of manufacturing the MEMS structure, in fabricating a cantilever-type MEMS structure and a fluidic channel, by previously forming the cavity before manufacturing the structure and forming the membrane layer for sealing the cavity, an unnecessary process for forming and removing the sacrificial layer can be eliminated. 
     Also, according to the present invention, since the structure protection apparatus is not necessary, it is possible to prevent breakdown of the structure. 
     Further, according to the present invention, a MEMS element based on a new concept can be designed. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above aspects and features of the present invention will be more apparent by describing certain embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  shows a thin film resonator disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,762,471, as a minute resonator in the prior art; 
         FIGS. 2A to 2G  show the process used to form the thin film resonator shown in  FIG. 1  with a predetermined gap on the substrate, more particularly, a process in which a first electrode, an insulating film, and a second electrode form a floating structure with a predetermined gap, together; 
         FIGS. 3A to 3G  show a process for forming a resonator, more particularly, a process in which a minute structure is formed so as to float from the substrate according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 4A to 4E  show a process for forming the resonator, more particularly, a process in which a MEMS structure is formed so as to float from the substrate according to another embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 5A to 5C  show a process in which a cantilever-type structure is formed on the membrane based on the process shown in  FIGS. 3A to 3F ; 
         FIGS. 6A to 6C  show a process in which a cantilever-type structure is formed on the porous layer based on the process shown in  FIGS. 3A to 3D ; 
         FIGS. 7A to 7C  show a process in which a cantilever-type structure is formed on the membrane based on the process shown in  FIGS. 4A to 4D ; 
         FIGS. 8A to 8C  show a process in which a cantilever-type structure is formed on the porous layer based on the process shown in  FIGS. 4A to 4D ; 
         FIG. 9A  shows an example in which a sealed fluidic channel is formed based on  FIGS. 3A to 3F ; and 
         FIG. 9B  shows an example in which the sealed fluidic channel is formed based on  FIGS. 4A to 4D . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Certain embodiments of the present invention will be described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention should not be construed as being limited thereto. 
     In the following description, the same reference numerals are used for the same elements in different drawings. The following detailed description of construction and elements is provided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of the invention. Thus, it is apparent that the present invention can be carried out in various embodiments without being limited thereto. Also, well-known functions of constructions are not described in detail since they would obscure the invention in unnecessary detail. 
     Example 1 
       FIGS. 3A to 3G  show a process used for forming the resonator, more particularly, the process in which a minute structure is formed so as to float from the substrate according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3A , a trench  1   a  is formed in a P-type silicon substrate  1  and an oxide film  3  such as SiO 2  is formed therein. The trench  1   a  is etched by a deep reactive ion etching technique. Deep RIE is used to etch deep cavities in substrates with a relatively high aspect ratio. Often, a fluoropolymer is used to passivate the etching of the sidewalls. Also, the oxide film  3  can be formed by thin film deposition or thermal oxidation to the P-type silicon substrate  1 . As the thin film deposition, chemical vapor deposition (hereinafter, referred to as “CVD”) or physical vapor deposition (hereinafter, referred to as “PVD”), and the like can be performed. Then, the oxide film  3  is embedded into the trench  1   a,  in which a barrier  5  for forming a cavity  4  (not shown), which will be discussed later, can be formed. According to another embodiment, Ta 2 O 5  and Al 2 O 3  may be used as the oxide film instead of SiO 2 . Another insulating material such as SiN may also be used instead of the oxide film. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3B , the oxide film  3  formed on the P-type silicon substrate  1  is removed, leaving only the barrier  5  embedded in the trench  1   a.  The oxide film  3  can be removed by, for example, chemical mechanical polishing using a planarization method. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3C , a silicon nitride layer  7  is deposited on the upper side of the P-type silicon substrate from which the oxide film  3  has been removed. A mask to form the cavity  4  (as shown in  FIG. 3E ), in the central portion of silicon nitride layer  7 , opening  7   a  is etched to expose an internal area defined by the barriers  5 . Then, the silicon nitride layer  7  is formed by, for example, CVD, particularly low pressure chemical vapor deposition, and etched by reactive ion etching. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3D , the upper side of the P-type silicon substrate  1  exposed via the opening  7   a  of silicon nitride layer  7  is electrochemically treated to form a silicon porous layer  9  having a predetermined thickness t. Then, the silicon porous layer  9  is subjected to a moderate electrochemical treatment after immersing the P-type silicon substrate  1  into a chemical solution, for example, HF solution, at an applied current which is lower than a critical current value. Also, the thickness can be controlled by adjusting the time of the applied current. Porous Si manufacturing technology is also described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,355,498 and 6,060,818, incorporated herein by reference. 
     A hole is an important factor in manufacturing the porous Si (2hole + +6HF+Si→SiF 6   2− +H 2 +4H + ). More specifically, a hole is supplied by applying +bias to a Si substrate and a polishing mode changes according to a current density J. If a small amount of hole is supplied (low J), there is a limitation to amount of hole required for a polishing and thus the polishing proceeds to form pores (porous Si), and, if a large amount of hole is supplied (high J), a polishing actively proceeds so that an electrochemical polishing occurs. If the current density reaches a certain value, a polishing rate abruptly increases. The certain value is referred to as a critical current density. The polishing mode changes from the critical current density. The critical current density is different depending on a doping material and density. The above-described porous Si manufacturing technology is a well-known technology and is disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,355,498 and 6,060,818. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3E , a portion corresponding to the lower area of silicon porous layer  9  is removed to form the cavity  4 . Then, the cavity can be treated electrochemically after immersing into the chemical solution, for example, a HF solution, similar to the step of forming the silicon porous layer  9 . The applied current is larger than a critical current value. Accordingly, the silicon porous layer  9  formed at the upper side of the substrate remains without etching. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3F , a membrane layer  11  for sealing the cavity  4  is formed, in which the membrane layer  11  is preferably formed of an insulating material, such as an oxide film (e.g., SiO 2 ), silicon nitride film (e.g., Si 3 N 4 ), and polysilicon film. Then, the oxide film is formed by thermal oxidation. In the oxidation process, since the oxide film is formed while consuming the porous silicon, the silicon porous layer  9  is changed into an oxide film. Also, the oxide film and nitride film are formed by thin film deposition. The thin film deposition can be performed by, for example, CVD, while the polysilicon can be formed by CVD or PVD.  FIG. 3F  shows an example for forming membrane layer by a thermal oxidation process. If a deposition method is used, a thin film such as silicon nitride film or polysilicon film is mainly deposited on the silicon porous layer to form a membrane layer (not shown) which is comprised of the dual film of thin film/polysilicon porous layer  9 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 3G , a structure  12  is formed on the membrane layer  11 . Then, the resulting structure  12  forms a resonator and includes a first electrode layer  12   a,  a piezoelectric layer  12   b,  and a second electrode layer  12   c.    
     Example 2 
       FIGS. 4A to 4E  show the process for forming the resonator, more particularly, the process in which a MEMS structure is formed so as to float from the substrate according to another embodiment of the present invention. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4A , an N-type silicon substrate  31  is provided, and a mask layer  35  to form the cavity, which will be described later, is deposited thereon. Then, the mask layer  35  is formed with an opening  35   a  to expose the central portion of the N-type silicon substrate  31 . The mask layer  35  is formed of an insulating material, for example, silicon nitride (e.g., Si 3 N 4 ), and is deposited by CVD. Also, etching can be performed by reactive ion etching (RIE). 
     Next, a P-type material is diffused into the central portion of the N-type silicon substrate  31  exposed via the opening  35  to form a P-type silicon layer  37 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 4B , a porous layer  38  is formed on the upper side of the P-type silicon layer  37  having a predetermined thickness. Here, since the porous layer  38  (the embodiment 1) is formed in the same manner as described in  FIG. 3D , its detailed explanation will be omitted. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4C , the lower area of the P-type silicon layer  37 , wherein the porous layer  38  is formed, is electrochemically polished to form a cavity  33 . Since the cavity  33  is formed in the same manner as shown in  FIG. 3E , its detailed explanation will be omitted. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4D , after removing the mask layer  35 , the membrane layer  39  is formed, and the cavity  33  can be sealed in this step. The membrane layer  39  is preferably formed of an insulating material such as an oxide film, silicon nitride film, polysilicon film, and the like, in the same manner as in embodiment 1. Here, since the step for forming the oxide film is the same as that shown in  FIG. 3 , its detailed explanation will be omitted. Note that  FIG. 4C  and  FIG. 4D  show that the porous layer  38  is oxidized and then changed to the membrane layer  39 , such as an oxide film. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4E , the structure  12  is formed at the upper side of the membrane layer  39 . 
     The above described embodiment 2 has an advantage in being capable of eliminating the process which forms the barrier  5  for limiting an area in which silicon porous layer  9  and cavity  4  are to be formed in the embodiment 1 (e.g., the step of forming a trench  1   a,  and the step of etching and removing the oxide film  3 ), thereby reducing the number of steps in the total process. 
     In the above explanations, the structure  12  has been described as the resonator, however, the structure  12  is not limited thereto. For instance, the structure  12  may be a pressure sensor or an actuator, as well as, a cantilever-type structure where only one end thereof is supported, or a fluidic channel, and the like. 
       FIGS. 5A to 5C  show a process where a cantilever-type structure is formed on the membrane based on the embodiment 1. In  FIGS. 5A to 5C , as the same members as in the embodiment 1 have identical reference numerals, description thereof will thus be omitted. 
     In this case, the steps of forming the cavity  4  on the substrate  1  and sealing the membrane layer  11  are identical with those shown in  FIGS. 3A to 3F . 
     Thereafter, as shown in  FIG. 5A , the cantilever structure layer is formed on the upper side of the membrane  11 , and then patterned in a cantilever-type structure  50  shape. In the drawing, reference numeral  61  designates the mask layer for forming the cantilever-type structure  50 , and it is formed of, for example, photoresist. 
     Then, as shown in  FIG. 5B , the membrane layer  11  is removed to float one end of the cantilever-type structure over the cavity  4 . That is, a projection portion of one end of the cantilever structure projects as an overhang over the cavity. Here, if the membrane layer  11  is made of an oxide film, it is possible to remove the oxide film by vapor phase HF etching, which is a type of dry etching. 
     Subsequently, as shown in  FIG. 5C , the photoresist layer  61  serving as the mask layer is removed, thereby fully forming the cantilever-type structure  50 . 
       FIGS. 6A to 6C  show a process where the cantilever-type structure is formed on the porous layer based on the embodiment 1. 
     In  FIGS. 6A to 6C , the cantilever-type structure is directly formed on the porous layer, in which the process for forming the cantilever-type structure is similar to the process shown  FIGS. 5A to 5C , except for the step for forming the membrane layer  11 . The difference between  FIGS. 6A to 6C  and  FIGS. 5A to 5C  is that the steps in  FIGS. 6A to 6C  are performed by an isotropic etching method to remove the porous layer  9 . 
       FIGS. 7A to 7C  show a process where the cantilever-type structure  50  is formed based on the process of embodiment 2, in which the cantilever-type structure  50  is formed on the membrane  39 . Here, the cantilever-type structure  50  is formed based on the embodiment 2. Since the same members as in the embodiment 2 have identical reference numerals, description thereof will thus be omitted. 
     In this case, the steps for forming the membrane layer  39  are performed in accordance with  FIGS. 4A to 4D . Thereafter, since the process for forming the cantilever-type structure shown in  FIGS. 7A to 7C  is identical to the process shown in  FIGS. 5A to 5C , descriptions thereof will be omitted. 
     Then,  FIGS. 8A to 8C  show a process where the cantilever-type structure  50  is formed based on the process shown in the embodiment 2, in which the cantilever-type structure  50  is formed on the porous layer  38 . 
     In this case, the steps for forming the porous layer  38  on the substrate  31  and forming the cavity  33  are identical with those steps in  FIGS. 4A to 4C . Thereafter, after removing the mask layer  35  formed on the substrate  31 , the cantilever-type structure  50  is formed on the porous layer  38 . The cantilever-type structure  50  is formed in accordance with the steps shown in  FIGS. 6A to 6C . 
     The cantilever-type structure  50  formed as described above can be applied to any storage apparatus such as a STM probe, an AFM probe, and the like. 
       FIG. 9A  shows an example in which a sealed fluidic channel is formed based on the embodiment 1, while  FIG. 9B  shows an example in which the sealed fluidic channel is formed based on the embodiment 2. Since the fluidic channel is also formed based on the embodiments 1 and 2, the same members as in the embodiments 1 and 2 have identical reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 9A and 9B , cavities  4 ,  33  are formed in the substrates  1 ,  31 , respectively, in accordance with the steps shown in  FIGS. 3A to 3F  and  FIGS. 4A to 4D , and then cavities  4 ,  33  are sealed by membrane layers  11 ,  39 . Thereafter, at least one inlet hole  11   a,    39   a  and at least one outlet hole  11   b,    39   b  is formed into membrane layer  11 ,  39  including porous layer  9 ,  38 , respectively. 
     A typical process of manufacturing the sealed fluidic channel used in a BIO MEMS, and the like comprises forming a trench serving as a fluid passage on the substrate, and coupling it with the other substrate at its upper side, or in the case of forming the trench by wet etching a channel of undercut shape, where the channel is sealed by a thin film deposition technique. As described above, according to such conventional method, a problem resides in that the process for forming the fluidic channel is complicated. 
     Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to more simply produce the fluidic channel in comparison with the conventional technique. 
     The foregoing embodiment and advantages are merely exemplary and are not to be construed as limiting the present invention. The present teachings can be readily applied to other types of apparatuses. Also, the description of the embodiments of the present invention is intended to be illustrative, and not to limit the scope of the claims, and many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.