Patent ID: 6902947

Claim:
An apparatus for carrying out a method of release and passivation of a MEMS structure, which method reduces stiction in a released element of said MEMS structure, said apparatus comprising: a) a memory that stores instructions for an integrated method of release and passivation of a MEMS structure; b) a processor adapted to communicate with said memory and to execute said instructions stored by said memory; c) at least one plasma processing chamber adapted to carry out said integrated method of release and passivation of said MEMS structure in accordance with the following method, i) treating a surface of said MEMS structure by contacting said surface with a plasma generated from a first source gas comprising oxygen; ii) carrying out a release process, during which a sacrificial layer present within said MEMS structure is removed by etching; iii) an oxidation step, comprising contacting surfaces of said MEMS structure with a plasma generated from a second source gas comprising oxygen; iv) a hydrolysis step, comprising contacting surfaces of said MEMS structure with a source of hydrogen; and v) applying a reactive vapor phase precursor for a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) coating to exposed surfaces of said MEMS structure, whereby a hydrophobic SAM is produced on surfaces which were hydrolyzed in step iv); and d) a port adapted to pass communications between said processor and said at least one plasma processing chamber.