Patent ID: 8557698

Claim:
A method for producing a micromechanical and/or nano-mechanical device comprising: partial etching of at least one sacrificial layer arranged between a first layer and a substrate, forming at least one cavity in which is arranged at least one portion of the sacrificial layer in contact with the first layer and/or the substrate, chemically transforming: (i) at least a portion of a front face of the first layer, (ii) at least a portion of a wall defining an opening formed in the first layer, and (iii) at least one wall of the first layer, the substrate, or of both the first layer and the substrate defining an interior of the at least one cavity to form a protective layer covering the portion of the front face and the at least one wall facing the interior of the at least one cavity between the first layer and the substrate, delimiting at least one stop in the first layer and/or the substrate at a level of the portion of the sacrificial layer, wherein formation of the protective layer by said chemically transforming comprises thermal oxidation of the portion of the front face and the at least one wall, or deposition of a metal layer on the portion of the front face and the wall and a siliciding of the metal layer, and subsequent to the chemically transforming the portion of the front face and the at least one wall, eliminating said portion of the sacrificial layer and removing the protective layer covering the portion of the front face and the at least one wall to expose a smooth surface of the front face and the at least one wall and free the stop.