Patent ID: 7261826

Claim:
A method for fabricating a microelectromechanical apparatus comprising: forming a layer of dielectric material on a first side of the substrate; forming on the first side of the substrate vertical isolation trenches containing dielectric material; patterning a masking layer on a second side of the substrate that is opposite to the first side of the substrate; forming vias on the first side of the substrate; metallizing the first side of the substrate; forming second trenches on the first side of the substrate to define structures; deeply etching the second side of the substrate to form narrow blades; after forming the narrow blades, bonding a base wafer to the second side of the substrate; etching through the vias on the first side of the substrate to release the structures and to provide electrical isolation, wherein at least one of the narrow blades is isolated by one of the vertical isolation trenches, and wherein at least one of the narrow blades is coupled to one of the structures.