Patent Abstract:
A microelectromechanical system is fabricated from a substrate having a handle layer, a silicon sacrificial layer and a device layer. A micromechanical structure is etched in the device layer and the underlying silicon sacrificial layer is etched away to release the micromechanical structure for movement. One particular micromechanical structure described is a micromirror.

Full Description:
PRIORITY INFORMATION 
   This application claims priority from provisional application Ser. No. 60/222,751 filed Aug. 3, 2000. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The invention relates to the field of microfabricated devices, and in particular to microfabricated devices released to move by removal of a sacrificial layer. 
   Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) have a broad range of applications such as, accelerometers, gyroscopes, visual displays and micro-optical systems for fiber-optic communications. The techniques used to form the micromechanical structures, such as surface micromachining, borrow technologies like thin film deposition and photolithography from the microelectronics fabrication industry. 
   In surface micromachining, thin films of material are typically deposited on a surface (typically known as the handle layer) using a variety of methods to form a device layer of material on a sacrificial layer of material. The micromechanical structure is then formed by patterning and etching the device layer. After the micromechanical structure is formed, a release etch is performed to remove the sacrificial material so that the micromechanical structure is released, allowing it to move and perform mechanical functions. 
   One actuation scheme used to move the micromechanical structure or otherwise cause it to perform its mechanical function is electrostatic actuation. Electrostatic actuation is commonly used because it does not require complicated fabrication techniques or abnormal materials, such as piezoelectric materials. Electrostatic actuation moves the micromechanical structure by electrostatic attraction between two structures with different voltages applied thereto. When the voltages are applied, the structures move to increase their capacitance by increasing the overlap area of overlapping features, or by closing the gap between the overlapping features. 
   Because surface micromachining lends itself naturally to creating overlapping surfaces coupled, at least in part, with the common use of electrostatic actuation has resulted in the development of a micromechanical structure used in a number of diverse applications, such as micromirrors, accelerometers, gyroscopes, etc. This structure comprises a plate formed in the device layer that is coupled via flexure assemblies to a frame formed in the device layer. The plate is released to suspend above the handle layer by the removal of the sacrificial layer underlying the plate. 
   The distance between the plate and the handle layer, however, limits the actuation range of the plate in this structure. This distance directly corresponds to the thickness of the sacrificial layer. An oxide, such as silicon dioxide is typically used as the sacrificial layer. An oxide, however, cannot be grown sufficiently thick to provide the desired actuation range for some applications of this structure. 
   One such application is micro-optical structures, such as micromirrors. While small deflections suffice for some micromirrors, large micromirrors (greater than about 300 um in diameter) require mirror rotations in the tens of microns (e.g., between about 50–80 um) to be useful. An oxide generally cannot provide for the needed separation between the device layer and the handle layer for such mirror rotations. Therefore, most large micromirrors are not made using the above-described structure. Alternative structures for large micromirrors, such as assembled, hinged or bimorph pop-up structures, have a number of disadvantages. They are often difficult to fabricate, are unreliable, provide low-yield and are many times unmanufacturable devices. 
   Prior art processes for forming micromirrors also suffer from other disadvantages. For example, many require a through-wafer etch to access the backside of structure. These through-wafer etches create fragile final chips. Etch holes through the mirror surface are often required for the release etch. These etch holes increase signal loss due to scattering. In addition, the prior art processes are not easily integrated with foundry electronics and cannot provide a single chip solution, i.e. one where no assembly is required of separate mirror and electronics chips. The prior art forms micro-optic MEMS systems by constructing the mirror structure on one chip, the electronics on a second chip and then using wire bonding to interface the two components to form the micro-optic system. Integration of active electronics on the same wafer as a micro-optical structure would provide a number of advantages. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In one aspect of the present invention, a method of fabricating a microelectromechanical system is provided. First, a substrate is provided that comprised a handle layer of silicon, a device layer of silicon and a sacrificial layer of silicon disposed between the handle layer and the device layer. Next, a micromechanical structure is formed in the device layer. Then, at least a portion of the sacrificial layer of silicon underlying the micromechanical structure is removed to release the micromechanical structure for movement. 
   In another aspect of the present invention, a method of releasing a micromechanical structure for movement is provided. The micromechanical structure is etched in a silicon device layer and a silicon sacrificial layer disposed between said micromechanical structure and a silicon handle layer is etched. 
   Another aspect of the present invention provides a microfabricated device. The microfabricated device comprises a substrate having a device layer; a least one micro-optical device etched on the device layer and released for movement by removal of an underlying sacrificial layer of silicon; and active electronics formed on the device layer. 
   Provided in another aspect of the present invention is a microelectromechanical device. The device comprises a handle layer of silicon having actuation electrodes formed thereon, a device layer of silicon having a micromechanical structure formed thereon and a sacrificial layer of silicon disposed between the handle layer and the device layer of silicon. The sacrificial layer of silicon has a portion underlying the micromechanical structure removed to form an actuation cavity below the micromechanical structure. 
   In another aspect, a micromirror device is provided. The micromirror device comprises a substrate having a device layer, a handle layer and a sacrificial layer made of silicon disposed between the device layer and the handle layer and an isolation trench extending through the device layer and the sacrificial layer. The isolation trench defines a mirror region and electrically isolates the mirror region. The micromirror device also comprises a mirror formed from the device layer in the mirror region above actuation electrodes formed on said handle layer. In addition, a cavity is formed below the mirror by removing a portion of said sacrificial layer of silicon. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIGS. 1   a – 1   d  illustrate a preferred micromirror structure constructed according to the principles of the present invention in which single crystal silicon is used as the device layer; 
       FIGS. 2   a – 2   j  illustrate the fabrication steps of the micromirror structure of  FIGS. 1   a – 1   c;    
       FIG. 3  illustrates another embodiment of a micromirror structure constructed according to the principles of the present invention in which polycrystalline silicon is used as the device layer; and 
       FIGS. 4   a–   4   m  illustrate the fabrication steps of the micromirror structure of  FIG. 3 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   While the various embodiments of the present invention are described with respect to, and some embodiments are particularly advantageous for, the production of micromirrors, the present invention is not limited thereto. As will be appreciated by one of skill in the art, the principles of the present invention are applicable to a number of other devices, such as inertial sensors, pressure sensors, and actuators. 
     FIGS. 1   a ,  1   b  and  1   c  illustrate a preferred micromirror structure  100  constructed according to the principles of the present invention.  FIGS. 1   a  and  1   b  illustrate top planar views of different layers of preferred micromirror structure  100 .  FIG. 1   a  illustrates a top planar view of the device layer of micromirror structure  100 .  FIG. 1   b  illustrates a top planar view of the handle layer of micromirror structure  100 .  FIG. 1   c  illustrates a side view of micromirror structure  100 . 
   Micromirror structure  100  is created from a substrate having a handle layer  120 , a sacrificial layer  122  and a device layer  124 , each separated by a dielectric, such as silicon dioxide. Single crystal silicon is used as sacrificial layer  122  in order to provide for greater distances between mirror  110  and handle layer  120 , and, in turn, a greater actuation range. Handle layer  120  and device layer  124  are also single crystal silicon. Significant advantages are obtained with device layer  124  being single crystal silicon. The use of single crystal silicon as device layer  124  provides for larger, flatter mirrors and provides a substrate that is compatible with traditional CMOS fabrication techniques. This allows for control and processing electronics  132  to be formed directly on the substrate. Therefore, it is possible to integrate active electronics on the same wafer as a micro-optical structure. 
   As illustrated, a mirror  110 , formed from device layer  124 , is suspended over a cavity created by the removal of sacrificial layer  122  underlying mirror  110 . Mirror  110  has a coating  130  thereon to increase the reflectivity. Mirror  110  is suspended by flexure connections  112 . Preferably, mirror  110  is connected to a concentric suspension ring  114  via a first set of flexures  112   a  and concentric suspension ring  114  is connected to frame  118  via a second set of orthogonally oriented flexures  112   b . Preferably, flexures  112  are serpentine structures as illustrated in  FIG. 1   d,  which shows a close-up of one of the set of flexures  112   b.    
   An isolation trench  104  extends down to handle layer  120  from device layer  124  and surrounds the area containing mirror  110  and associated frame  118 . Isolation trench  104  electrically isolates micromirror structure  100  from the rest of the wafer. Further, as will be seen below, isolation trench  104  also acts as a lateral etch stop for the sacrificial layer etch and provides a mechanical anchor for mirror  110 . 
   Similar to isolation trench  104 , via posts  109 , filled with a conductive material such as doped polysilicon, extend through contact holes  108  down to handle layer  120  from device layer  124 . Via posts  109  connect to interconnects  106  formed on handle layer  120 . Interconnects  106  have pads at one end for connection to via posts  109  and are connected at the other end to actuation electrodes  121  formed on handle layer  120 . An electrical interconnection  116  formed on top of the device layer is used to apply a first voltage to the device layer of micromirror structure  100 . Electrical interconnections  134  connected to via posts  109  are then used to apply a second voltage to actuation electrodes  121  to move mirror  110 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 2   a  and  2   b , the fabrication process for micromirror structure  100  begins with a single crystal silicon wafer  222  bonded using wafer bonding to a single crystal silicon wafer  220 , which has interconnects and actuation electrodes  206  formed thereon. Interconnects and actuation electrodes  206  are preferably formed using patterned polysilicon. However, other manners of forming interconnects and actuation electrodes  206 , such as patterned diffusions into wafer  220 , are possible. Alternatively, interconnects and electrodes  206  may be formed on the bottom of wafer  222 . Wafer  222  is ground to the desired sacrificial layer thickness (e.g., 50 um) using, for example, a combination of mechanical and chemical-mechanical polishing (CMP). A second wafer  224  is then bonded, also using wafer bonding, to wafer  222  and ground to the desired thickness (e.g., 10 um) of the mechanical structure and the circuits, also using, for example, a combination of mechanical and chemical-mechanical polishing (CMP). 
   This results in a substrate  200  comprised of a handle layer  220  of single crystal silicon, a sacrificial layer  222  of single crystal silicon and a device layer  224  of single crystal silicon. A first dielectric layer  203  separates sacrificial layer  222  and handle layer  220  and a second dielectric layer  205  separates device layer  224  from sacrificial layer  222 . 
   While described as being formed from three bonded silicon wafers, alternative techniques of forming three-layer substrate  200  are possible. One possible alternative entails wafer bonding a single silicon-on-insulator (SOI) wafer to dielectric layer  203  on wafer  220 . In this case, the silicon layer of the SOI wafer above the insulator is made to be the appropriate thickness before bonding and is sacrificial layer  222 . The handle layer of the SOI wafer is device layer  224  and is ground to the appropriate thickness after bonding. 
   Another possible alternative entails double bonding of two SOI wafers to wafer  220 . For this technique, a SOI wafer is bonded to wafer  220  and the handle layer of the SOI wafer is removed. This leaves sacrificial layer  222  and dielectric  205 . A second SOI wafer is then wafer bonded on top of dielectric  205 . The handle layer and insulator layer of the second SOI wafer is then removed to leave device layer  224 . 
   Referring next to  FIGS. 2   b  and  2   c , after the fabrication of three-layer substrate  200 , isolation trench  204  and contact holes  208  are etched through device layer  224  and sacrificial layer  222 , stopping at electrodes  206 . While shown as a single isolation trench  204  extending through both the sacrificial layer  222  and device layer  224 , the present invention is not limited thereto. For instance, an isolation trench may be formed in sacrificial layer  222 , but not device layer  224  and, likewise, an isolation trench may be formed in device layer  224 , but not sacrificial layer  222 . Or, two trenches that are not coincident may be formed in each of device layer  224  and sacrificial layer  222 . 
   Isolation trench  204  and contact holes  208  are lined with a dielectric  211 , such as a thermal oxide, and back-filled with conductive material, such as doped polysilicon. The doped polysilicon in contact holes  208  forms via posts  209 . In addition to providing electrical conductivity, the use of doped polysilicon also provides mechanical stiffness to micromirror structure  100 . 
   At this point substrate  200  is compatible with traditional CMOS circuit fabrication processes. For a typical CMOS fabrication process, the only differences between substrate  200  and normal starting material is that substrate  200  has trench isolation and comprises bonded wafers. Trench isolation and bonded wafers, however, are well-established processes in IC manufacturing. Therefore, standard processing with alignment to the trench features is preferably performed to form the integrated electronics  232 . Metal interconnects  216  and  234  are formed to connect to via posts  209  and the mirror region. At the completion of circuit formation, the substrate has a passivation layer  213  covering device layer  224 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 2   e  and  2   f , this passivation layer is next removed from the mirror area and the mirror  210 , concentric suspension ring  214 , frame  218  and flexures are patterned and etched in device layer  224 . Mirror  210 , concentric suspension ring  214 , frame  218  and flexures are etched in device layer  224 , for example, using a deep reactive ion etch stopping on second dielectric layer  205   
   Next, as shown in  FIG. 2   g , a photoresist coating  207  is applied to substrate  200  and patterned. Release holes  215  are etched through photoresist coating  207  and second dielectric  205  to expose the silicon of sacrificial layer  222 . 
   As illustrated in  FIG. 2   h , the silicon of sacrificial layer  222  bound by first dielectric layer  203 , second dielectric layer  205  and the dielectric lining isolation trench  204  is then isotropically etched through release holes  215  using, for example, a Xenon Diflouride (XeF 2 ) dry etch. Etching sacrificial layer  222  forms a cavity  217  underneath mirror  210 , concentric suspension ring  214 , frame  218  and the flexures. Formation of cavity  217  releases mirror  210 , concentric suspension ring  214 , frame  218  and the flexures for movement. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 2   i  and  2   j , the dielectric in cavity  217  is next removed by, for example, an oxide etch using Hydroflouric Acid (HF). This is followed by an oxygen plasma resist strip to remove photoresist coating  207 , which results in the structure as shown in  FIG. 2   j . Finally, a layer of reflective material, preferably gold, is deposited and patterned on mirror  210  to complete the structure as shown in  FIG. 1   c.    
   While it is preferable to place the coating on mirror  210  as the last step in fabrication, the reflective material can be deposited and etched on mirror  210  or mirror region during other times of the fabrication process. For instance, the reflective material can be placed on the mirror region of device layer  224  prior to the etching of mirror  210 , concentric suspension ring  214  and frame  218  and flexures. In this case, after circuit fabrication, part of passivation layer  213  is removed above the mirror region. A thin layer of reflective material, preferably gold, is deposited and patterned on the mirror region. Next, mirror  210 , concentric suspension ring  214  and frame  218  and flexures are patterned and etched in device layer  224 . The rest of the fabrication continues as previously described to the formation of cavity  217  and the corresponding oxide etch and photoresist strip. 
     FIG. 3  illustrates another embodiment of a micromirror structure  300  constructed according to the principles of the present invention. In the embodiment of  FIG. 3 , polycrystalline silicon (“polysilicon”) is used as a device layer  324  instead of single crystal silicon. It should be noted that using polysilicon to form a micromirror will increase mirror roughness while reducing compatibility with standard CMOS fabrication. Polysilicon also increases mirror curvature because of stress gradients in the polysilicon. However, the use of polysilicon is advantageous at times because using polysilicon decreases the cost of fabricating the device. 
   As described, micromirror structure  300  is similar to micromirror structure  100 . Micromirror structure  300  is formed from a substrate having a handle layer  320 , a sacrificial layer  322  and device layer  324 . Handle layer is separated from sacrificial layer  322  by a first dielectric  303 , such as silicon dioxide. Polysilicon device layer  324  is separated from sacrificial layer  322  by a second dielectric  305 , such as silicon dioxide. Handle layer  320  and sacrificial layer  322  comprise single crystal silicon, while, as described above, device layer  324  comprises polysilicon. 
   As illustrated, a mirror  310  formed from polysilicon device layer  324  is suspended over a cavity created by the removal of sacrificial layer  322  underlying mirror  310 . Mirror  310  has a coating  330  thereon to increase the reflectivity. As with mirror  110 , mirror  310  is preferably connected to a concentric suspension ring  314  via a first set of flexures and concentric suspension ring  314  is connected to a frame  318  via a second set of orthogonally oriented flexures. An isolation trench  304  extends down to handle layer  320  through sacrificial layer  322  and surrounds the area containing mirror  310  and associated frame  318 . Isolation trench  304  is partially formed from a conductive material, such as doped polysilicon. 
   Similar to isolation trench  304 , via posts  309 , filled with a conductive material such as doped polysilicon, extend down through sacrificial layer  322 . Via posts  309  connect to interconnects  306  formed on handle layer  320 . Electrical interconnections  316  and  334  are formed on top of the device layer to apply the appropriate actuation voltages. 
   Fabrication of micromirror structure  300  is similar to the fabrication of micromirror structure  100 . Referring to  FIGS. 4   a ,  4   b ,  4   c  and  4   d , the fabrication process for micromirror structure  300  begins with interconnects and actuation electrodes  406  formed on a single crystal silicon wafer  420 . Interconnects and actuation electrodes  406  illustrated are formed using patterned deposits of polysilicon. However, as described above, other manners of forming interconnects and actuation electrodes  406 , such as patterned diffusions into silicon wafer  420 , are possible. A single crystal wafer  422  is bonded to wafer  420  using wafer bonding. Wafer  422  is ground to the desired sacrificial layer thickness using, for example, a combination of mechanical and chemical-mechanical polishing (CMP). Alternative techniques, similar to those described above may also be used to form two-layer substrate  400 . 
   Next, isolation trench  404  and via holes  408  are etched through wafer  422 , stopping at interconnects  406 . A dielectric, such as a thermal oxide, is grown on top of wafer  422  forming dielectric layer  405  and on the walls of isolation trench  404  and via holes  408  forming linings  411 . Anchor holes  421 , which will be used provide support to the mirror, are patterned and etched in dielectric layer  405 . 
   As illustrated in  FIG. 4   e , a device layer  424  and via posts  409  are formed and isolation trenches are filled from polysilicon deposition on top of second dielectric layer  405 . Polysilicon forming the device layer is deposited to the desired device thickness. As shown in  FIG. 4   f , device layer  424  is then etched to form interconnect features  419  and anchor features  423 . 
   A pre-metal dielectric deposition and contact etch is next performed, followed by a metal deposition and etch step and a passivation deposition step. As shown in  FIG. 4   g , these steps form metal interconnects  416  and  434  covered by a passivation layer  413 . 
   As illustrated in  FIGS. 4   h  and  4   i,  this passivation layer is next removed from the mirror area and the mirror  410 , concentric suspension ring  414 , frame  418  and flexures are patterned and etched in device layer  424 . Mirror  410 , concentric suspension ring  414 , frame  418  and flexures are etched in device layer  424 , for example, using a deep reactive ion etch stopping on second dielectric layer  405 . 
   Next, as shown in  FIG. 4   j,  a photoresist coating  407  is applied to substrate  400  and patterned. Release holes  415  are etched through photoresist coating  407  and second dielectric  405  to expose the silicon of sacrificial layer  422 . 
   As illustrated in  FIG. 4   k , the silicon of sacrificial layer  422  bound by first dielectric layer  403 , second dielectric layer  405  and the dielectric lining isolation trench  404  is then isotropically etched through release holes  415  using, for example, a Xenon Diflouride (XeF 2 ) dry etch. Etching sacrificial layer  422  forms a cavity  417  underneath mirror  410 , frame  418  and the flexures. Formation of cavity  417  releases mirror  410  and the flexures for movement. 
   As illustrated in  FIG. 4   l , the dielectric in cavity  417  is next removed by, for example, an oxide etch using hydrofluoric acid (HF). This is followed by an oxygen plasma resist strip to remove photoresist coating  407  to complete the structure as shown in  FIG. 4   m.  Finally, a layer of reflective material, preferably gold, is deposited and patterned on mirror  410  to complete the structure shown in  FIG. 3 . 
   Although the present invention has been shown and described with respect to several preferred embodiments thereof, various changes, omissions and additions to the form and detail thereof, may be made therein, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Technology Classification (CPC): 1