Patent ID: 8713788

Claim:
A method of forming a three-dimensional structure, comprising: (A) forming a plurality of successively formed layers, wherein each successive layer comprises at least two materials and is formed on and adhered to a previously formed layer, one of the at least two materials is a structural material and the other of the at least two materials is a sacrificial material, and wherein each successive layer defines a successive cross-section of the three-dimensional structure, and wherein the forming of each of the plurality of successive layers comprises: (i) depositing a first of the at least two materials; (ii) depositing a second of the at least two materials; (iii) planarizing the at least two materials to set an upper boundary level for the layer; and (B) after the forming of the plurality of successive layers, separating at least a portion of the sacrificial material from multiple layers of the structural material to reveal the three-dimensional structure, wherein during formation of at least one given layer, the at least two materials comprise at least three materials, and the process comprises depositing a third of the at least three materials, and wherein the planarizing of the at least two materials comprises planarizing the at least three materials to set an upper boundary level for the layer, and wherein a prior planarization step is performed before the depositing of the third material wherein the prior planarization step sets a planarized height to a level that is above the upper boundary level for the given layer.