Patent ID: 8343806

Claim:
A method for forming a hermetically-packaged integrated circuit, comprising: using a thermal process to transform a portion of a first substrate layer into a dielectric region, the dielectric region disposed proximate an outer surface of the first substrate layer and forming an intermediary layer between a first metal layer of a capacitor and a second metal layer of the capacitor, the first metal layer of the capacitor disposed proximate the outer surface of the first substrate layer, the second metal layer of the capacitor disposed proximate an underside surface of the first substrate layer; providing an integrated circuit device proximate the outer surface of the first substrate layer, the integrated circuit device operable to transmit or receive electrical signals via the first metal layer, the second metal layer, and the dielectric region of the capacitor; forming one or more additional dielectric layers proximate the outer surface of the first substrate layer to increase the thickness of the dielectric region; and disposing a second substrate layer proximate to the outer surface of the first substrate layer to enclose the integrated circuit device in a hermetic environment.