Patent ID: 7265019

Claim:
A method of fabricating a micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) variable capacitor comprising the steps of: a) depositing a first dielectric layer on a substrate, said first dielectric layer having at least one cavity etched therein; b) forming an actuation electrode by filling with metal followed by planarizing said at least one cavity; c) depositing a second dielectric layer on said first dielectric layer, and etching at least one cavity therein; d) filling and planarizing said at least one cavity in said second dielectric layer with sacrificial material; e) depositing a third dielectric layer on said second dielectric layer and etching at least one cavity therein; f) forming a ground plane electrode by filling with metal and then planarizing said cavity in said third dielectric layer; g) forming a plurality metal lines on top of said third dielectric layer, said plurality of metal lines being interconnected therebetween and to the ground plane electrode by way of conductive vias; h) embedding elastomeric material between said conductive vias; and i) selectively removing portions of said third dielectric layer surrounding said metal lines and said ground plane electrode, and etching away said sacrificial material.