Patent ID: 7730615

Claim:
A method for producing a micro-machined structure including a supported beam mounted on a substrate such that an air gap is defined between the substrate and the beam, the method comprising: forming a release layer over the substrate; patterning the release layer to define a wedge-shaped release structure including a diagonal surface extending from the substrate to a horizontal upper surface; forming the beam over the wedge-shaped release structure such that the beam includes side edges extending upward from the substrate and an upper surface facing away from the substrate; forming an encapsulation structure on at least the side edges of the beam such that encapsulation material forming said encapsulation structure extends from the release structure to the upper surface of the beam, whereby said encapsulation structure entirely covers the side edges of the beam, wherein said encapsulation structure comprises an encapsulation material plated onto the beam; and removing the wedge-shaped release structure located under the beam using an etchant selected such that the encapsulation structure prevents etching of at least the side edges of the beam, whereby an air gap is formed between the beam and the substrate.