Patent ID: 7732302

Claim:
A process of forming a micromachined sensor comprising a sensing structure and circuitry electrically coupled to the sensing structure, the process comprising: processing a first wafer comprising at least first and second layers, the first wafer being processed to incompletely define the sensing structure in the first layer at a first surface of the first wafer; processing a second wafer to define the circuitry on a surface thereof; bonding the first and second wafers together so that first portions of the first layer are not bonded to the second wafer and second portions of the first layer are bonded to the second wafer and support the second layer on the second wafer; and then etching the first wafer to complete the sensing structure by removing first portions of the second layer of the first wafer at a second surface thereof opposite the first surface to define a member that is a movable part of the sensing structure and defined by at least second portions of the second layer, the etching step releasing the member relative to the second wafer while the first portions of the first layer remain physically connected by the second portions of the second layer; wherein the step of processing the first wafer comprises forming in the first and second portions of the first layer at least first and second elements spaced apart to define a gap therebetween, and forming in the second portion of the first layer means for supporting the member at oppositely-disposed ends thereof; and wherein the first and second elements and the supporting means are formed entirely in the first layer of the first wafer, and the member is formed in the first portion of the first layer, the second portion of the second layer, and an insulator layer therebetween.