Patent ID: 7052623

Claim:
A method for etching a silicon layered body, which has a first silicon layer ( 15 ) that is provided with an etching mask ( 10 ) for defining lateral recesses ( 21 ); work with a plasma being carried out in a first etching process, and trenches ( 21 ′) being formed by anisotropic etching in the region of the lateral recesses ( 21 ); at least one separating layer ( 12 , 14 , 14 ′, 16 ) being buried between the first silicon layer ( 15 ) and a further silicon layer ( 17 , 17 ′), and the first etching process coming at least almost to a standstill upon reaching the at least one separating layer; and the separating layer ( 12 , 14 , 14 ′, 16 ) subsequently being etched through in an exposed region ( 23 , 23 ′) by a second etching process, and a third etching process then etching the further silicon layer ( 17 , 17 ′); wherein a first and a second section ( 12 , 14 ) of the separating layer ( 12 , 14 , 14 ′, 16 ) are deposited in such a manner, that the conducting layer ( 13 ) is completely enclosed.