EP4554891A1 - Verfahren zur herstellung eines schichtaufbaus für eine mems-vorrichtung und mems-vorrichtung mit einem derartigen schichtaufbau - Google Patents
Verfahren zur herstellung eines schichtaufbaus für eine mems-vorrichtung und mems-vorrichtung mit einem derartigen schichtaufbauInfo
- Publication number
- EP4554891A1 EP4554891A1 EP23742038.5A EP23742038A EP4554891A1 EP 4554891 A1 EP4554891 A1 EP 4554891A1 EP 23742038 A EP23742038 A EP 23742038A EP 4554891 A1 EP4554891 A1 EP 4554891A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- layer
- functional layer
- structured
- areas
- structured areas
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
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Classifications
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B81—MICROSTRUCTURAL TECHNOLOGY
- B81B—MICROSTRUCTURAL DEVICES OR SYSTEMS, e.g. MICROMECHANICAL DEVICES
- B81B3/00—Devices comprising flexible or deformable elements, e.g. comprising elastic tongues or membranes
- B81B3/0035—Constitution or structural means for controlling the movement of the flexible or deformable elements
- B81B3/004—Angular deflection
- B81B3/0045—Improve properties related to angular swinging, e.g. control resonance frequency
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B81—MICROSTRUCTURAL TECHNOLOGY
- B81C—PROCESSES OR APPARATUS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR THE MANUFACTURE OR TREATMENT OF MICROSTRUCTURAL DEVICES OR SYSTEMS
- B81C1/00—Manufacture or treatment of devices or systems in or on a substrate
- B81C1/00642—Manufacture or treatment of devices or systems in or on a substrate for improving the physical properties of a device
- B81C1/0065—Mechanical properties
- B81C1/00666—Treatments for controlling internal stress or strain in MEMS structures
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B81—MICROSTRUCTURAL TECHNOLOGY
- B81C—PROCESSES OR APPARATUS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR THE MANUFACTURE OR TREATMENT OF MICROSTRUCTURAL DEVICES OR SYSTEMS
- B81C1/00—Manufacture or treatment of devices or systems in or on a substrate
- B81C1/00015—Manufacture or treatment of devices or systems in or on a substrate for manufacturing microsystems
- B81C1/00023—Manufacture or treatment of devices or systems in or on a substrate for manufacturing microsystems without movable or flexible elements
- B81C1/00055—Grooves
- B81C1/00063—Trenches
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B81—MICROSTRUCTURAL TECHNOLOGY
- B81C—PROCESSES OR APPARATUS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR THE MANUFACTURE OR TREATMENT OF MICROSTRUCTURAL DEVICES OR SYSTEMS
- B81C1/00—Manufacture or treatment of devices or systems in or on a substrate
- B81C1/00436—Shaping materials, i.e. techniques for structuring the substrate or the layers on the substrate
- B81C1/005—Bulk micromachining
- B81C1/00515—Bulk micromachining techniques not provided for in B81C1/00507
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- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B26/00—Optical devices or arrangements for the control of light using movable or deformable optical elements
- G02B26/08—Optical devices or arrangements for the control of light using movable or deformable optical elements for controlling the direction of light
- G02B26/0816—Optical devices or arrangements for the control of light using movable or deformable optical elements for controlling the direction of light by means of one or more reflecting elements
- G02B26/0833—Optical devices or arrangements for the control of light using movable or deformable optical elements for controlling the direction of light by means of one or more reflecting elements the reflecting element being a micromechanical device, e.g. a MEMS mirror, DMD
- G02B26/0858—Optical devices or arrangements for the control of light using movable or deformable optical elements for controlling the direction of light by means of one or more reflecting elements the reflecting element being a micromechanical device, e.g. a MEMS mirror, DMD the reflecting means being moved or deformed by piezoelectric means
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B81—MICROSTRUCTURAL TECHNOLOGY
- B81B—MICROSTRUCTURAL DEVICES OR SYSTEMS, e.g. MICROMECHANICAL DEVICES
- B81B2201/00—Specific applications of microelectromechanical systems
- B81B2201/03—Microengines and actuators
- B81B2201/032—Bimorph and unimorph actuators, e.g. piezo and thermo
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B81—MICROSTRUCTURAL TECHNOLOGY
- B81B—MICROSTRUCTURAL DEVICES OR SYSTEMS, e.g. MICROMECHANICAL DEVICES
- B81B2201/00—Specific applications of microelectromechanical systems
- B81B2201/04—Optical MEMS
- B81B2201/042—Micromirrors, not used as optical switches
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B81—MICROSTRUCTURAL TECHNOLOGY
- B81B—MICROSTRUCTURAL DEVICES OR SYSTEMS, e.g. MICROMECHANICAL DEVICES
- B81B2203/00—Basic microelectromechanical structures
- B81B2203/01—Suspended structures, i.e. structures allowing a movement
- B81B2203/0109—Bridges
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B81—MICROSTRUCTURAL TECHNOLOGY
- B81B—MICROSTRUCTURAL DEVICES OR SYSTEMS, e.g. MICROMECHANICAL DEVICES
- B81B2203/00—Basic microelectromechanical structures
- B81B2203/01—Suspended structures, i.e. structures allowing a movement
- B81B2203/0145—Flexible holders
- B81B2203/0154—Torsion bars
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B81—MICROSTRUCTURAL TECHNOLOGY
- B81B—MICROSTRUCTURAL DEVICES OR SYSTEMS, e.g. MICROMECHANICAL DEVICES
- B81B2203/00—Basic microelectromechanical structures
- B81B2203/01—Suspended structures, i.e. structures allowing a movement
- B81B2203/0145—Flexible holders
- B81B2203/0163—Spring holders
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B81—MICROSTRUCTURAL TECHNOLOGY
- B81C—PROCESSES OR APPARATUS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR THE MANUFACTURE OR TREATMENT OF MICROSTRUCTURAL DEVICES OR SYSTEMS
- B81C2201/00—Manufacture or treatment of microstructural devices or systems
- B81C2201/01—Manufacture or treatment of microstructural devices or systems in or on a substrate
- B81C2201/0101—Shaping material; Structuring the bulk substrate or layers on the substrate; Film patterning
- B81C2201/0111—Bulk micromachining
- B81C2201/0112—Bosch process
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B81—MICROSTRUCTURAL TECHNOLOGY
- B81C—PROCESSES OR APPARATUS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR THE MANUFACTURE OR TREATMENT OF MICROSTRUCTURAL DEVICES OR SYSTEMS
- B81C2201/00—Manufacture or treatment of microstructural devices or systems
- B81C2201/01—Manufacture or treatment of microstructural devices or systems in or on a substrate
- B81C2201/0101—Shaping material; Structuring the bulk substrate or layers on the substrate; Film patterning
- B81C2201/0111—Bulk micromachining
- B81C2201/0116—Thermal treatment for structural rearrangement of substrate atoms, e.g. for making buried cavities
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B81—MICROSTRUCTURAL TECHNOLOGY
- B81C—PROCESSES OR APPARATUS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR THE MANUFACTURE OR TREATMENT OF MICROSTRUCTURAL DEVICES OR SYSTEMS
- B81C2201/00—Manufacture or treatment of microstructural devices or systems
- B81C2201/01—Manufacture or treatment of microstructural devices or systems in or on a substrate
- B81C2201/0101—Shaping material; Structuring the bulk substrate or layers on the substrate; Film patterning
- B81C2201/0118—Processes for the planarization of structures
- B81C2201/0126—Processes for the planarization of structures not provided for in B81C2201/0119 - B81C2201/0125
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B81—MICROSTRUCTURAL TECHNOLOGY
- B81C—PROCESSES OR APPARATUS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR THE MANUFACTURE OR TREATMENT OF MICROSTRUCTURAL DEVICES OR SYSTEMS
- B81C2201/00—Manufacture or treatment of microstructural devices or systems
- B81C2201/01—Manufacture or treatment of microstructural devices or systems in or on a substrate
- B81C2201/0101—Shaping material; Structuring the bulk substrate or layers on the substrate; Film patterning
- B81C2201/0128—Processes for removing material
- B81C2201/013—Etching
- B81C2201/0132—Dry etching, i.e. plasma etching, barrel etching, reactive ion etching [RIE], sputter etching or ion milling
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B81—MICROSTRUCTURAL TECHNOLOGY
- B81C—PROCESSES OR APPARATUS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR THE MANUFACTURE OR TREATMENT OF MICROSTRUCTURAL DEVICES OR SYSTEMS
- B81C2201/00—Manufacture or treatment of microstructural devices or systems
- B81C2201/01—Manufacture or treatment of microstructural devices or systems in or on a substrate
- B81C2201/0161—Controlling physical properties of the material
- B81C2201/0163—Controlling internal stress of deposited layers
- B81C2201/0169—Controlling internal stress of deposited layers by post-annealing
Definitions
- the present disclosure relates to a method for producing a layer structure for a MEMS device, a layer structure produced by the method, and a MEMS device comprising the layer structure.
- a generic method for producing a layer structure for a MEMS device and a generic MEMS device that includes the layer structure are known, for example, from US 2009/0185253 Al.
- so-called high-rate etching is usually used when structuring a mechanically effective functional layer (often referred to as a device layer) of the layer structure of the MEMS (micro-electro-mechanical system). or reactive ion deep etching (Deep Reactive Ion Etching or DRIE for short) is used to form the deep trenches in the functional layer, in particular, for example, around the movable or vibrating bodies and the corresponding spring structure that the movable or vibrating body holds, to be formed or worked out in the functional layer.
- DRIE reactive ion deep etching
- the present disclosure relates to a method for producing a layer structure for a MEMS device, a layer structure produced by the method, and a MEMS device comprising the layer structure, in particular a vacuum-packed MEMS mirror device.
- a method for producing a layer structure for a MEMS device and a layer structure that is produced by means of the method according to the independent claims as well as a MEMS device that includes the layer structure, in particular a vacuum-packed MEMS Mirror device proposed.
- the dependent claims relate to some exemplary preferred embodiments.
- a method for producing a layer structure for a MEMS device comprising: providing a layer structure that includes a substrate layer and/or a functional layer ; Application of a piezoelectric layer, for example on and/or above the functional layer, in particular on a side opposite the substrate layer the functional layer, ie particularly preferably on a side of the functional layer opposite the substrate layer; and/or structuring the piezoelectric layer, in particular for forming structured areas of the piezoelectric layer.
- an electrode layer (bottom electrode layer) can also be provided between the functional layer and the piezoelectric layer, which can form a bottom electrode, for example made of metal (e.g. molybdenum), which electrically contacts the piezoelectric layer from below.
- the method can also include applying an electrode layer to the functional layer before applying the piezoelectric layer, wherein the piezoelectric layer can be applied to the electrode layer.
- the functional layer e.g. in doped regions
- the functional layer can be at least partially electrically conductive, so that the functional layer can at least partially provide a bottom electrode for the piezoelectric layer.
- the method may include structuring the functional layer, particularly preferably for forming structured areas and/or trenches (i.e., for example, trenches surrounding the structured areas) in the functional layer, in particular preferably, if appropriate, using high-rate etching or deep reactive ion etching Ion Etching or DRIE for short).
- structuring the functional layer particularly preferably for forming structured areas and/or trenches (i.e., for example, trenches surrounding the structured areas) in the functional layer, in particular preferably, if appropriate, using high-rate etching or deep reactive ion etching Ion Etching or DRIE for short).
- the method can preferably further comprise annealing of structured areas of the functional layer or of trenches in the structured areas (e.g. particularly preferably for at least partial smoothing of side walls of the trenches in the functional layer and/or for rounding off corners of the trenches in the functional layer), preferably at temperatures essentially greater than or equal to 700 ° C.
- the annealing of structured areas of the functional layer can be carried out to at least partially smooth side walls of the trenches in the functional layer and/or to round off corners of the trenches in the functional layer.
- the term smoothing of side walls of the trenches in the structured areas of the functional layer means in particular that the unevenness and/or surface effects or defects that occur on the side walls during the structuring of the Functional layer arise due to the process, are reduced, so that relative to the state of the side wall surfaces after structuring of the functional layer, seen after healing, there are smoother side wall surfaces, up to a possibly completely smooth and / or crystal defect-free side wall.
- the side wall surfaces can preferably have a roughness essentially less than or equal to 50 nm, preferably in particular a roughness essentially less than or equal to 30 nm and particularly preferably in particular a roughness essentially less than or equal to 1Onm.
- the annealing of structured areas of the functional layer can preferably be carried out at temperatures substantially greater than or equal to 800 ° C. In some preferred embodiments, the annealing of structured areas of the functional layer can be carried out at temperatures substantially less than or equal to 1400°C, particularly preferably at temperatures substantially less than or equal to 1350°C, particularly preferably at temperatures substantially less than or equal to 1250°C or substantially less than or equal to 1200°C.
- the temperatures in the annealing step or preferably in the entire production process should not exceed 1400 ° C, particularly preferably 1350 ° C, since the melting point of silicon is approximately 1410 ° C, as the substrate layer and / or the functional layer typically May include silicon.
- a high-temperature annealing step e.g. by hydrogen annealing and/or by sacrificial oxidation according to exemplary embodiments
- a high-temperature annealing step makes it possible to successfully and advantageously at least partially smooth any structured or possibly deeply etched side walls of the structured functional layer in order to avoid any damage during the etching process (e.g. DRIE) to smooth out defects and roughness (e.g. superficial scallops, superficial nose structures, surface corrugations, side wall breakthroughs and atomic defects, etc.) on the surface of the side walls and/or to round off any right-angled corners created during etching.
- DRIE etching process
- defects and roughness e.g. superficial scallops, superficial nose structures, surface corrugations, side wall breakthroughs and atomic defects, etc.
- this advantageously leads to a significantly increased stability or fracture stability of the movable elements of the layer structure and / or the MEMS device, which comprises such a layer structure, with higher breaking limits and in particular the spring structure formed from the functional layer with increased Break limits, which means that early breaks can be avoided overall.
- the breaking limits of the movable or vibrating parts of the functional layer or in particular of the spring structure formed in the functional layer can be at least doubled, or even increased fivefold or tenfold.
- the occurrence of fractures in the deflection structures or the spring structure can advantageously be significantly reduced and in particular larger deflection angles or deflection amplitudes can be made possible, at which breaks in the deflection structures or the spring structure would already occur in components manufactured according to the prior art.
- the annealing of structured areas of the functional layer may preferably include hydrogen annealing, particularly preferably at temperatures of substantially greater than or equal to 900° C. and/or substantially less than or equal to 1350° C., particularly preferably at temperatures of im Substantially greater than or equal to 1000°C and/or substantially less than or equal to 1250°C (or, for example, substantially less than or equal to 1200°C).
- the annealing of structured areas of the functional layer may preferably include oxidizing side walls of the trenches in the functional layer, preferably at temperatures substantially greater than or equal to 700° C., in particular at substantially greater than or equal to 800° C., and/or or at substantially less than or equal to 1250°C (or, for example, substantially less than or equal to 1200°C).
- the annealing of structured areas of the functional layer can preferably further comprise removing an oxidation layer formed on side walls of the trenches in the functional layer, for example in particular removing an oxidation layer that is formed on side walls of the trenches in the functional layer, particularly preferably by etching ( e.g. etching back the sacrificial oxidation layer).
- the method may preferably further comprise: applying an electrode layer, preferably after annealing of structured areas of the functional layer to form an electrode structure for the structured areas of the piezoelectric layer and / or to form a mirror and / or a mirror layer on one or more structured areas of the functional layer.
- the electrode layer can serve as a top electrode of the piezoelectric layer.
- the electrode layer can also be used as rewiring (routing) and/or as a bond pad (e.g. for electrical connection to a bottom electrode).
- the high-temperature-stable electrode layer can serve as a top electrode of the piezoelectric layer.
- the high-temperature-stable electrode layer can also be used as rewiring (routing) and/or as a bond pad (e.g. for electrical connection to a bottom electrode).
- the material of the electrode layer or the high-temperature-stable electrode layer may comprise an electrically conductively doped silicon, in particular doped polycrystalline silicon.
- the material of the electrode layer or high-temperature-stable electrode layer can be a high-temperature-stable metal, a high-temperature-stable metal alloy or metal compound, particularly preferably a high-melting metal, particularly preferably platinum, molybdenum (melting point at approximately 2623 ° C) and / or a high-temperature stable molybdenum alloy and / or molybdenum compound, tungsten (melting point at approximately 3422 ° C) and / or a high-temperature stable tungsten alloy and / or tungsten compound, in particular tungsten titanium and / or tungsten carbide.
- a high-melting metal particularly preferably platinum, molybdenum (melting point at approximately 2623 ° C) and / or a high-temperature stable molybdenum alloy and / or molybdenum compound, tungsten (melting point at approximately 3422 ° C) and / or a high-temperature stable tungsten alloy and / or
- the method may preferably further comprise: applying a further layer, preferably after annealing structured areas of the functional layer, to form a mirror and/or a mirror layer on one or more structured areas of the functional layer.
- the method may preferably further comprise: applying a dielectric layer, in particular at least on the structured areas of the piezoelectric layer.
- the dielectric layer can be applied after applying and/or structuring the piezoelectric layer.
- the application of the dielectric layer can preferably take place before the annealing of structured areas of the functional layer.
- the application of the dielectric layer can also take place after structured areas of the functional layer have healed.
- the structured areas of the piezoelectric layer can preferably be encapsulated between the functional layer and the dielectric layer applied to the structured areas of the piezoelectric layer, particularly preferably if the application of the dielectric layer takes place before the annealing of structured areas of the functional layer .
- a layer structure according to exemplary embodiments with structured areas of the piezoelectric layer encapsulated under a high-temperature stable layer requires the integration of one or more high-temperature annealing steps (such as hydrogen annealing of deeply etched surfaces ( e.g. at approx. 1000 ° C - 1250 ° C) and / or sacrificial oxidation, e.g. at approx.
- 800 ° C - 1250 ° C, with etching back of the sacrificial oxide layer can be improved, in particular also with less high-temperature stable piezoelectric materials and in particular also with less chemically resistant piezoelectric materials that can be protected by encapsulating aggressive media, such as oxygen (e.g. in a sacrificial oxidation annealing step) and/or hydrogen (e.g. in a hydrogen annealing annealing step).
- aggressive media such as oxygen (e.g. in a sacrificial oxidation annealing step) and/or hydrogen (e.g. in a hydrogen annealing annealing step).
- the method can preferably further comprise: applying a dielectric layer at least on the structured areas of the piezoelectric layer, before annealing structured areas of the functional layer and particularly preferably before applying an electrode layer, preferably such that the structured areas of the piezoelectric Layer can be encapsulated between the functional layer and the dielectric layer applied to the structured areas of the piezoelectric layer.
- the piezoelectric layer can also be protected by encapsulation under the electrode layer made of high-temperature-stable material or high-temperature-stable metal (see versions with exemplary high-temperature-stable electrode layer).
- the structured areas of the piezoelectric layer can preferably be encapsulated between the functional layer and the high-temperature-stable electrode layer applied to the structured areas of the piezoelectric layer (optionally with an intermediate or partially intermediate dielectric layer), particularly preferably when the application of the high-temperature stable Electrode layer takes place before the healing of structured areas of the functional layer.
- the method can preferably further comprise: applying and/or structuring the high-temperature-stable electrode layer, particularly preferably before the annealing of structured areas of the functional layer, preferably in such a way that the structured areas of the piezoelectric layer are between the functional layer and the applied high-temperature-stable electrode layer (optionally with an intermediate or partially intermediate dielectric layer) can be encapsulated.
- the method may preferably further comprise: structuring and/or opening areas of the dielectric layer, preferably during or before structuring the functional layer, in particular preferably such that the structured areas of the piezoelectric layer are between the functional layer and the structured areas remain encapsulated in the dielectric layer applied to the piezoelectric layer.
- the material of the piezoelectric layer can comprise a ferroelectric and/or piezoelectric material, particularly preferably aluminum nitride (AIN), aluminum scandium nitride (AlScN), lead zirconate titanate (PZT) and/or niobium doped PZT (PZT-Nb).
- AIN aluminum nitride
- AlScN aluminum scandium nitride
- PZT lead zirconate titanate
- PZT-Nb niobium doped PZT
- the method may preferably further comprise: applying a dielectric layer at least to the structured areas of the piezoelectric layer after the annealing of structured areas of the functional layer. In some preferred embodiments, the method may preferably further comprise: patterning and/or opening regions of the dielectric layer.
- the material of the piezoelectric layer can comprise a high-temperature stable ferroelectric and/or piezoelectric material, particularly preferably aluminum nitride (AIN) and/or aluminum scandium nitride (AlScN).
- AIN aluminum nitride
- AlScN aluminum scandium nitride
- the structured areas of the functional layer may comprise one or more movable elements, which are preferably formed in the functional layer, and/or a spring structure, which is preferably formed in the functional layer, the spring structure particularly preferably comprising the one or more movable ones can hold elements.
- the one or more movable elements of the structured areas of the functional layer can comprise a mirror support element, wherein the mirror can preferably be arranged on the mirror support element.
- the spring structure of the structured areas of the functional layer can hold the mirror support element with mirror.
- the spring structure in the functional layer can preferably be designed such that the mirror support element with mirror is held swingable about one or two axes, in particular oscillation and/or torsion axes, particularly preferably for a two-dimensional Lissajous scanning movement of the mirror support element with mirror.
- the spring structure can comprise springs, particularly preferably bending and/or torsion springs, which are preferably designed to hold the mirror support element in such a way that the mirror support element has an oscillating rotational movement about the respective oscillation and/or torsion axis (e.g. torsional vibrations).
- springs particularly preferably bending and/or torsion springs, which are preferably designed to hold the mirror support element in such a way that the mirror support element has an oscillating rotational movement about the respective oscillation and/or torsion axis (e.g. torsional vibrations).
- patterning the functional layer may include high rate etching and/or deep reactive ion etching.
- a layer structure produced by means of the method according to at least one of the above exemplary embodiments is further proposed.
- the layer structure may comprise: a substrate layer, a structured functional layer, a structured piezoelectric layer preferably on a side of the functional layer that is opposite the substrate layer, i.e. in particular on a side of the functional layer opposite the substrate layer, and / or a dielectric layer preferably at least on the structured areas of the piezoelectric layer.
- the structured areas of the piezoelectric layer can preferably be encapsulated between the functional layer and the dielectric layer, which is preferably applied to the structured areas of the piezoelectric layer.
- an electrode layer can also be provided between the functional layer and the piezoelectric layer, which can form a bottom electrode, for example made of metal (e.g. molybdenum), which electrically contacts the piezoelectric layer from below.
- metal e.g. molybdenum
- trenches in the functional layer can preferably be healed in structured areas of the functional layer, in particular on side walls of the trenches, and in particular preferably have smoothed side walls and/or rounded corners.
- trenches in the functional layer in structured areas of the functional layer may preferably have smoothed side walls and/or rounded corners and/or the side walls and/or structured areas of the functional layer may have rounded corners.
- a surface roughness of side walls of the trenches in the functional layer in structured areas of the functional layer can be substantially less than or equal to 50 nm, in particular substantially less than or equal to 30 nm, particularly preferably less than or equal to 1Onm
- a MEMS device in particular a MEMS mirror device or vacuum-packed MEMS mirror device, is further proposed, comprising a layer structure produced by the method according to at least one of the above exemplary embodiments.
- FIG. 1 shows an exemplary flowchart of a method for producing a layer structure for a MEMS device according to a background example
- Figs. 2A-2C show exemplary sectional views of the layer structure during the manufacturing process according to an exemplary manufacturing sequence based on the method according to FIG. 1,
- FIG. 3 shows an exemplary flowchart of a method for producing a layer structure for a MEMS device according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure
- Figs. 4A-4B show exemplary sectional views of the layer structure during the manufacturing process according to an exemplary manufacturing sequence based on the method according to FIG. 3,
- FIG. 5 shows an exemplary sectional view of a MEMS device manufactured according to the exemplary manufacturing sequence of FIGS. 4A-4B,
- Figs. 6A-6B show exemplary sectional views of the layer structure during the manufacturing process according to a further exemplary manufacturing sequence based on the method according to FIG. 3,
- Fig. 7 shows an exemplary sectional view of one according to the exemplary manufacturing sequence of Figs. 6A-6B manufactured MEMS device
- FIG. 8 shows an exemplary flowchart of a method for producing a layer structure for a MEMS device according to further exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure
- Figs. 9A-9B show exemplary sectional views of the layer structure during the manufacturing process according to an exemplary manufacturing sequence based on the method according to FIG. 8, 10 shows an exemplary sectional view of one according to the exemplary manufacturing sequence of FIGS. 9A-9B manufactured MEMS device,
- FIG. 11 shows an exemplary flowchart of a method for producing a layer structure for a MEMS device according to further exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure
- Figs. 12A-12B show exemplary sectional views of the layer structure during the manufacturing process according to an exemplary manufacturing sequence based on the method according to FIG. 11, and
- high-temperature stable materials or a material property “high-temperature stable”.
- high-temperature stable material or a material property “high-temperature stable”.
- the term “high-temperature stable” material or the material property “high-temperature stable” is intended to mean that such materials have temperatures greater than or equal to substantially 1200° C., particularly preferably greater than or equal to substantially 1250° C. or substantially greater 1250 ° C, and in particular a melting point greater than or equal to essentially 1200 ° C, in particular greater than or equal to substantially 1250°C or substantially greater than 1250°C, particularly preferably greater than or equal to substantially 1400°C.
- FIGS. 1 and figs. 2A-2C describes a background example that is intended to facilitate understanding of the exemplary embodiments described below and the advantages.
- Figs. 1 and Figs. 2A-2C is not actually state of the art that is already publicly known.
- a generic method from the prior art can be found, for example, in US 2009/0185253 Al.
- any described technical details and/or features of the method, the manufacturing sequence, the layer structure and in particular regarding individual steps and/or layers of the layer structure and/or their possible materials can also contain corresponding details and /or features of the exemplary embodiments described below, unless a difference is explicitly pointed out.
- steps S101 to S104 of FIG. 1 as well as the manufacturing sequence (i) to (iv) of FIG. 2A and their description are always for the exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 3 to 10 are to be used and the steps S101 to S103 of FIG. 1 as well as the manufacturing sequence (i) to (iii) of FIG. 2A and their description also for the exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 11 to 13 should be used.
- FIG. 1 shows an exemplary flowchart of a method for producing a layer structure for a MEMS device according to a background example and FIGS. 2A-2C show exemplary sectional views of the layer structure during the manufacturing process according to an exemplary manufacturing sequence based on the method according to FIG. 1.
- a layer structure which includes a substrate layer 1 and a functional layer 3 (often referred to as a device layer).
- a corresponding exemplary layer structure also underlies the layer structure shown in FIG. 2A (i).
- the layer structure according to FIG. 2A (i) includes, for example, an intermediate layer 2 (eg a passivation layer), which is arranged, for example, between the substrate layer 1 and the functional layer 3, with the functional layer 3 being formed on the intermediate layer 2, for example.
- a piezoelectric layer 4 is applied to the functional layer 3.
- 2A (i) thus comprises, for example, a piezoelectric layer 4, which is formed on the functional layer 3, according to steps S101 and S102, with the piezoelectric layer 4, for example, in step S102 according to Fig. 1 on the layer structure above the functional layer 3 is applied.
- the piezoelectric layer 4, which is applied on or above the functional layer 3, is structured by way of example; see also Fig. 2A (ii).
- a dielectric layer 5 is applied by way of example; see also Fig. 2A (iii). 2A (iii), the dielectric layer 5 is applied, for example, to areas of the piezoelectric layer 4 and is further applied, for example, to areas of the functional layer 3 that are open after the piezoelectric layer 4 has been structured.
- the applied dielectric layer 5 can be opened in selected areas. According to Fig. 2A (iv), for example, in area 5b, the dielectric layer 5 is opened towards the functional layer 3, in particular before application of an electrode layer (see below), in order to provide an area 5b intended for a later bond pad.
- an electrode layer 6 is applied to the dielectric layer 5, which can optionally have been previously opened in areas (eg opened area 5b for a later bond pad); see also Fig. 2A (v).
- the electrode layer 6 is applied, the area 5b previously opened in the dielectric layer 5 is also filled with the material of the electrode layer 6 to form a bond pad.
- the electrode layer 6, which is applied on or above the dielectric layer 5, is structured by way of example; see also Fig. 2A (vi).
- a bond pad 6b is formed with the material of the electrode layer 6, which has electrical contact to the top of the functional layer 3 (and / or in exemplary embodiments to a bottom electrode, which with the underside of the structured areas of the piezoelectric layer 4 can be electrically connected).
- step S106 of structuring the electrode layer 6 the desired structure of the upper electrode (top electrode) for the upper electrical contacting of the piezoelectric layer 4 is formed. Furthermore, by way of example, in step S106 of structuring the electrode layer 6, a mirror 6a (mirror layer with a reflective surface) is formed in the middle of the layer structure according to FIG. 2A (vi) using the material of the electrode layer 6.
- a mirror 6a mirror layer with a reflective surface
- the electrode layer can comprise metal, in particular aluminum, so that the surface of the electrode layer 6 already has a reflective surface and is suitable for forming the mirror 6a.
- a non-reflective or a non-metallic electrode layer e.g. doped polycrystalline silicon
- a further, for example metallic, mirror layer e.g. as a thin-layer metal film, e.g. with a layer thickness of essentially greater than or equal to 100 nm and/or substantially less than or equal to 2000 nm
- a further, for example metallic, mirror layer e.g. as a thin-layer metal film, e.g. with a layer thickness of essentially greater than or equal to 100 nm and/or substantially less than or equal to 2000 nm
- the dielectric layer 5 is opened in areas 5a towards the functional layer 3, see also FIG. 2B (vii). These are in particular areas 5a of the dielectric layer 5 that can be opened, in which the underlying functional layer 3 is structured to form the mechanically effective structures of the MEMS device.
- mechanically effective is to be understood here in particular as meaning that the mechanically effective layer or the at least one mechanically effective functional layer (device layer) of the MEMS layer structure preferably forms the layer that is designed for this purpose in accordance with its structuring or is formed, an oscillatory movement, in particular a one-dimensional or two-dimensional one Oscillatory movement, or in such a way that one or more structures or bodies formed in the mechanically effective layer or mechanically effective functional layer can carry out an oscillatory movement, in particular a one-dimensional or two-dimensional oscillation movement (e.g. around an oscillation/torsion axis or around two, preferably transverse or, in particular, perpendicular to one another, oscillation/torsion axes, in particular, for example, for Lissajous scanning movements).
- a one-dimensional or two-dimensional oscillation movement e.g. around an oscillation/torsion axis or around two, preferably transverse or, in particular, perpendicular to one another, oscillation/tor
- the holding and/or spring structure for the movable structures or bodies of the mechanically effective layer or mechanically effective functional layer can preferably also be formed in this mechanically effective layer or mechanically effective functional layer.
- the spring structure can comprise springs, particularly preferably bending and/or torsion springs, which are preferably designed to hold the mirror support element in such a way that the mirror support element has an oscillating rotational movement about the respective oscillation and/or torsion axis (e.g. torsional vibrations).
- the formation of the mechanically effective layer or mechanically effective functional layer can preferably include the resonance frequency or resonance frequencies of the MEMS, the deflection amplitudes and / or any dynamic deformations (e.g. in a holding and / or formed in the mechanically effective layer or mechanically effective functional layer determine spring structure).
- the functional layer 3 is structured in areas 3a, see also FIG. 2B (viii).
- the mechanically effective structures of the MEMS device are formed in the functional layer.
- so-called high-rate etching or deep reactive ion etching is usually used when structuring the functional layer 3 in step S108 in order to create the deep trenches the functional layer 3 (e.g. areas 3a in Fig. 2B (viii)) to train.
- DRIE deep reactive ion etching
- process-related damage or unevenness occurs on the etched side walls in the structured areas of the functional layer, in particular so-called scallops (i.e. e.g. surface corrugations, surface nose structures, etc.); see, for example, the unevenness indicated by black dots in the areas 3a in Fig. 2B (ix)) or, for example, any side wall breakthroughs and/or atomic defects.
- the mask used for structuring causes a direct transfer into the material of the functional layer 3 (usually silicon) and therefore the structures created usually have right-angled corners.
- the occurrence of fractures in the deflection structures or the spring structure can advantageously be significantly reduced and in particular larger deflection angles or deflection amplitudes can be made possible, at which breaks in the deflection structures or the spring structure would already occur in components manufactured according to the prior art.
- the layer structure is opened at the back in order to expose the functional layer 3 on the side that is opposite the piezoelectric layer 4; see also Fig. 2B (ix), in which, for example, the substrate layer 1 is opened at the back towards the intermediate layer 2, and Fig. 2B (x), in which, for example, the intermediate layer 2 is opened at the back towards the functional layer 3.
- the layer structure produced is provided as an example in a vacuum-packed MEMS device 100 according to FIG. 2B (xi).
- the layer structure was hermetically sealed from above with a translucent dome element 7 (eg a glass dome) and from below with a base body element 8 under a vacuum atmosphere.
- a vacuum-packed MEMS mirror device 100 e.g. a MEMS mirror scanner
- a MEMS mirror scanner which includes the layer structure produced
- piezoelectrically deflectable or controllable mirror 6a see e.g. Fig. 2B (xi).
- exemplary embodiments preferably provide a healing step, in particular for annealing structured areas of the functional layer, at temperatures essentially greater than or equal to 700 ° C.
- the annealing of structured areas of the functional layer can be carried out to at least partially smooth side walls of the trenches in the functional layer and/or to round off corners of the trenches in the functional layer.
- Smoothing of side walls of the trenches in the structured areas of the functional layer is to be understood here in particular as meaning that the unevenness and/or surface effects or defects that arise on the side walls as a result of the process when structuring the functional layer are reduced, so that relative to the state of the side wall surfaces after structuring the functional layer seen after annealing, smoother side wall surfaces are present, up to a possibly completely smooth and / or crystal defect-free side wall.
- the side wall surfaces can have a substantially roughness after annealing less than or equal to 50nm, preferably in particular essentially less than or equal to 30nm and particularly preferably in particular essentially less than or equal to 1Onm.
- the annealing of structured areas of the functional layer can preferably be carried out at temperatures substantially greater than or equal to 800 ° C. In some preferred embodiments, the annealing of structured areas of the functional layer can be carried out at temperatures substantially less than or equal to 1400°C, particularly preferably at temperatures substantially less than or equal to 1350°C. In some exemplary embodiments, the temperatures in the annealing step or preferably in the entire production process should not exceed 1400 ° C, particularly preferably 1350 ° C, since the melting point of silicon is approximately 1410 ° C, as the substrate layer and / or the functional layer typically May include silicon.
- FIG. 3 shows an exemplary flowchart of a method for producing a layer structure for a MEMS device according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.
- the first steps of the method according to FIG. 3 correspond, for example, to steps S101 to S104 of the method according to FIG. 1 or to the exemplary production sequence (i) to (v) according to FIG. 2A.
- the following Figs. 4A-4B exemplary sectional views of the layer structure during the manufacturing process according to an exemplary manufacturing sequence based on the method according to FIG. 3.
- a layer structure that includes the substrate layer 1 and the functional layer 3 is provided in an exemplary step S301 (e.g. analogous to S101 in Fig. 1).
- the piezoelectric layer 4 is applied to the functional layer 3.
- the substrate layer 1 can be made of silicon or comprise silicon, for example.
- the substrate layer 1 can be provided, for example, as an SCS wafer (SCS, English: single-crystal silicon), that is, for example, as a crystalline bulk silicon substrate.
- the substrate layer can also be provided by means of an SOI wafer, which can already include the substrate layer 1 and, for example, also the functional layer 3 and/or the intermediate layer(s) 2.
- SOI wafers can include a handling wafer, which is made, for example, from crystalline bulk Silicon substrate can consist, for example, followed by an intermediate layer (typically, for example, a silicon oxide with approx. 100 - 2000 nm), but can also consist of other preferably dielectric layers, such as silicon nitride, silicon oxynitride or aluminum oxide.
- different intermediate layers can consist of different materials.
- the functional layer 3 can, for example, be made of silicon or include silicon.
- the functional layer 3 can have a layer thickness of essentially 5-300 ⁇ m.
- the functional layer 3 can be present as a pure crystalline substrate, particularly preferably as a single crystal (e.g. SCS), or in further exemplary embodiments it can be applied using epitaxial deposition processes, in particular in polycrystalline form (polycrystal).
- an electrode layer can also be provided between the functional layer 3 and the piezoelectric layer 4, which can form a bottom electrode, for example made of metal (e.g. molybdenum), which electrically contacts the piezoelectric layer from below.
- metal e.g. molybdenum
- Such an exemplary bottom electrode layer under the piezoelectric layer 4 can, in preferred embodiments, be designed to be stable at high temperatures, for example as doped polycrystalline silicon.
- the functional layer 3 can comprise self-doped polycrystalline silicon or be formed from doped polycrystalline silicon, at least in the areas of the later structured piezoelectric layer 4.
- the functional layer 3 can, on the one hand, form the mechanically active elements (e.g. mirror support element and/or holding and spring structure) and can also serve as a high-temperature-stable bottom electrode for the piezoelectric layer 4.
- the piezoelectric layer 4 can preferably comprise piezoelectric material or be formed from piezoelectric material, which preferably has high piezoelectric, pyroelectric and/or ferroelectric constants.
- the piezoelectric layer 4 may comprise, for example, aluminum nitride (AIN), aluminum scandium nitride (AlScN), lead zirconate titanate (PZT) and/or niobium doped PZT (PZT-Nb).
- the piezoelectric layer 4 can also include semi-crystalline polymer materials such as PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride (CF2-CH2)n).
- the piezoelectric layer 4, which is applied on or above the functional layer 3, is structured, particularly preferably by means of a wet and/or dry etching process.
- the remaining areas of the piezoelectric layer 4 define the piezoelectric elements and/or drive and/or detection elements (e.g. actuator and/or sensor surfaces) for generating, driving, controlling and/or detecting the movements or Vibrations of the movably held components or elements of the MEMS.
- drive and/or detection elements e.g. actuator and/or sensor surfaces
- the dielectric layer 5 is applied as an example.
- the dielectric layer 5 is applied, for example, to areas of the piezoelectric layer 4 and is further applied, for example, to areas of the functional layer 3 that are open after the piezoelectric layer 4 has been structured.
- the dielectric layer 5 can, for example, comprise silicon oxide, in particular SiO2, or be formed from silicon oxide, in particular SiO2.
- the dielectric layer 5 can comprise or be formed from silicon nitride (eg Si 3 N 4 ) and/or aluminum oxide (Al 2 O 3 ), oxynitride and/or silicon nitride (eg SiON).
- the applied dielectric layer 5 can be opened in selected areas, for example by wet and/or dry etching, for example to provide an area 5b that can be intended for a later bond pad.
- the applied dielectric layer 5 can also be opened or partially opened over the structured areas of the piezoelectric layer 4.
- the applied dielectric layer 5 can also be opened or partially opened over the structured areas of the piezoelectric layer 4.
- the dielectric layer 5 is opened towards the functional layer 3 in areas 5a. These are in particular areas 5a of the dielectric layer 5 that can be opened, in which the underlying functional layer 3 is structured to form the mechanically effective structures of the MEMS device.
- the remaining areas of the piezoelectric layer 4 remain completely encapsulated by the dielectric layer 5 (see, for example, Fig. 4A (v) and also Fig. 6A (v)), i.e. the remaining areas of the piezoelectric layer 4 are or remain particularly preferably, for example, completely encapsulated between the functional layer 3 and the dielectric layer 5.
- the layer structure can still be subjected to high-temperature processes (e.g. at over approximately 700 ° C to 1250 ° C) without adversely affecting the encapsulated areas of the piezoelectric layer 4.
- high-temperature processes e.g. at over approximately 700 ° C to 1250 ° C
- This advantageously enables, for example, further exemplary embodiments with one or more annealing steps at high temperatures greater than or equal to 700 ° C, such as the processes of sacrificial oxidation described below at, for example, approximately 800 ° C - 1250 ° C (see, for example, the exemplary production sequence according to Fig. 4A -4B) and/or hydrogen annealing, for example at approximately 1000°C-1250°C (see, for example, the exemplary manufacturing sequence according to FIGS. 6A-6B).
- this encapsulation of the structured areas of the piezoelectric layer 4, for example by means of the dielectric layer, advantageously protects the structured areas of the piezoelectric layer 4 despite the high temperatures in the annealing step and despite the chemically aggressive media (e.g. oxygen or hydrogen). , so that they are not even stable at high temperatures or chemically Resistant piezoelectric materials, such as PZT, can still be used as piezoelectric material (encapsulated in the annealing step). In embodiments using high-temperature stable and/or chemically resistant piezoelectric materials, it is not necessary to encapsulate the structured areas of the piezoelectric layer 4.
- the functional layer 3 is structured in areas 3a, see also FIG. 4A (v).
- the mechanically effective structures of the MEMS device are formed in the functional layer 3, preferably by high-rate etching or deep reactive ion etching or DRIE for short.
- Structuring the functional layer 3 includes, for example, the formation or exposing of the mirror support element formed from the functional layer 3 (under the later applied mirror layer 6a, see e.g. Fig. 5) as well as the holding webs (spring structure), which are formed from the functional layer 3 and as holding Spring structure act, and which can hold the mirror support element so that it can oscillate about one, two or more oscillation and / or torsion axes.
- the spring structure can comprise springs, particularly preferably bending and/or torsion springs, which are preferably designed to hold the mirror support element in such a way that the mirror support element has an oscillating rotational movement about the respective oscillation and/or torsion axis (e.g. torsional vibrations).
- the deep reactive ion etching for patterning the functional layer 3 can be performed, for example, using a photolithography mask.
- the partial opening of the dielectric layer 5 can be carried out separately beforehand or in the same step using the same photolithography mask.
- the photolithography mask can, for example, then be removed using a plasma or a wet chemical process.
- all of the patterning steps of the present disclosure can be performed using photolithography masks that can be removed using a plasma or wet chemical process.
- an annealing step at high temperatures is essentially greater than or equal to 700 ° C carried out to smooth the side walls of the areas 3a of the functional layer 3, which was deep-etched in step S306, and to round off corners of the areas 3a of the functional layer 3.
- the annealing step S307 may include a step in which the surface of the regions 3a of the functional layer 3 is heated at oxidation temperatures (e.g. temperatures of substantially greater than or equal to 700° C., in particular substantially greater than or equal to 800° C. or more, if necessary. preferably substantially less than or equal to 1250 ° C) are oxidized; see, for example, the oxidation layer 11 shown as an example in Fig. 4A (vi).
- oxidation temperatures e.g. temperatures of substantially greater than or equal to 700° C., in particular substantially greater than or equal to 800° C. or more, if necessary. preferably substantially less than or equal to 1250 ° C
- a sacrificial oxidation is carried out as a healing step according to S307 (see, for example, FIG. 4A (vi)).
- This oxidation or sacrificial oxidation in such exemplary embodiments of the annealing step S307 can cause the surface effects or surface defects created during etching (e.g. unevenness, such as formed noses, waves, so-called scallops, as well as any other surface defects such as crystal defects, etching, side wall breakthroughs and atomic ones Defects, etc.) on the side walls of the deeply etched side walls of the areas 3a of the functional layer 3 are oxidized.
- unevenness such as formed noses, waves, so-called scallops, as well as any other surface defects such as crystal defects, etching, side wall breakthroughs and atomic ones Defects, etc.
- the sacrificial oxidation layer 11 can preferably be selectively removed in exemplary embodiments of the annealing step S307 and in such exemplary embodiments of the annealing step S307, after selective removal of the sacrificial oxidation layer 11, advantageously smoothed side walls of the regions 3a of the functional layer 3 remain with reduced unevenness of the side walls and rounded corners; see e.g. Fig. 4A (vii).
- any etching scallops as well as any other surface defects can be reduced or eliminated, so that smoothed side walls are formed, up to the complete conversion into a completely smooth and/or crystal defect-free side wall .
- the rectangular structural corners that were created during the structuring of the functional layer can be rounded off (rounded or rounded structural corners).
- the corresponding layer structure or the MEMS device that comprises the layer structure has advantageously been smoothed after the corresponding annealing step S307 Side walls with reduced unevenness or even smooth and/or crystal defect-free (e.g. completely smoothed) side walls and rounded corners on the structured areas and trenches of the functional layer, so that breaking limits of the movable or vibrating parts of the functional layer or in particular spring structure formed in the functional layer can be significantly increased and the occurrence of early breaks in the spring structure can be successfully reduced.
- the occurrence of fractures in the deflection structures or the spring structure can advantageously be significantly reduced and in particular larger deflection angles or deflection amplitudes can be made possible, at which breaks in the deflection structures or the spring structure would already occur in components manufactured according to the prior art.
- the electrode layer 6 is applied, for example, after the annealing step S307; see also Fig.4A (viii).
- the area 5b, which was previously opened in the dielectric layer 5 is filled with the material of the electrode layer, in particular to form a bond pad.
- a top electrode layer 6 can be deposited over the entire surface, for example made of metal, in particular aluminum, for example.
- high-temperature-stable materials in particular, for example, high-temperature-stable metals, can also be used for the electrode layer.
- the healing step can also take place after the application and/or structuring of the electrode layer and optionally after the rear opening of the layer structure, which preferably comprises high-temperature stable and chemically resistant materials; see, for example, the exemplary embodiments described below according to Figs. 8 to 10.
- the electrode layer 6, which is applied on or above the dielectric layer 5, is structured by way of example; see also Fig. 4B (ix).
- a bond pad 6b can be formed with the material of the electrode layer 6, which has electrical contact with the top of the functional layer 3 (and/or in exemplary embodiments with a bottom electrode, the one with the Underside of the structured areas of the piezoelectric layer 4 can be electrically connected).
- step S309 of structuring the electrode layer 6 the desired structure of the upper electrode (top electrode) for the upper electrical contacting of the piezoelectric layer 4 is formed. Furthermore, in step S309 of structuring the electrode layer 6, a mirror 6a (mirror layer with a reflective surface) is formed, for example, in the middle of the layer structure according to FIG. 4B (iv) using the material of the electrode layer 6.
- the electrode layer can comprise metal, in particular aluminum, so that the surface of the electrode layer 6 already has a reflective surface and is suitable for forming the mirror 6a.
- a top electrode layer deposited over the entire surface for example made of metal, in particular for example aluminum, can be structured wet and/or dry chemically via photolithographic steps, for example using spray-coat lithography or alternatively via a lift-off process in which the lithography takes place before the metal deposition.
- the electrode layer can also be applied using a shadow mask deposition.
- a non-reflective or a non-metallic electrode layer e.g. doped polycrystalline silicon
- a further, for example metallic, mirror layer e.g. as a thin-layer metal film, e.g. with a layer thickness of essentially greater than or equal to 100 nm and/or substantially less than or equal to 2000 nm
- the material of the metallic mirror layer can be selected depending on the desired application for the respective wavelength range, in particular with very good reflection behavior in the wavelength range of the desired application, for example aluminum or silver for visible light (e.g. essentially at wavelengths of 400-700 nm ) or gold for infrared light or infrared radiation (e.g. essentially at wavelengths of 850-2000nm).
- step S310 of the method according to FIG. 3 (eg analogous to S109 in FIG. 1), the layer structure is opened on the back, for example, in order to expose the functional layer 3 on the side that is opposite the piezoelectric layer 4; see also Fig. 4B (x), in which the substrate layer 1 is an example of the intermediate layer -TI-
- Fig. 4B (xi) in which, for example, the intermediate layer 2 is opened on the back towards the functional layer 3.
- the layer structure produced is provided as an example in a vacuum-packed MEMS device 200 according to FIG. 5.
- the layer structure was hermetically sealed from above with a translucent cover element 7 (e.g. a translucent dome element or a glass dome) and from below with a base body element 8 under a vacuum atmosphere (e.g. vacuum encapsulation).
- a translucent cover element 7 e.g. a translucent dome element or a glass dome
- a base body element 8 under a vacuum atmosphere (e.g. vacuum encapsulation).
- a vacuum atmosphere e.g. vacuum encapsulation
- differently shaped cover elements or 3D-shaped cover elements are also possible (e.g. angular or planar).
- the material of the cover elements is preferably translucent, for example glass or other optically transparent materials (e.g. approx. 400-2500 nm), such as borosilicate glass (e.g. Borofloat® BF33 from SCHOTT).
- Fig. 5 shows an exemplary sectional view of one according to the exemplary manufacturing sequence of Figs. 4A-4B manufactured MEMS device 200. Consequently, a vacuum-packed MEMS mirror device 200 (eg a MEMS mirror scanner), which includes the produced layer structure, with piezoelectrically deflectable or controllable mirror 6a can be provided, the corresponding layer structure or the MEMS - Device 200, which comprises the layer structure, advantageously has smooth or smooth and/or crystal defect-free side walls and rounded corners on the structured areas and trenches of the functional layer, so that breaking limits of the movable or vibrating parts of the functional layer or in particular of the spring structure, which is formed in the functional layer, can be significantly increased and the occurrence of early breaks in the spring structure can be successfully reduced.
- a vacuum-packed MEMS mirror device 200 eg a MEMS mirror scanner
- the corresponding layer structure or the MEMS - Device 200 which comprises the layer structure
- advantageously has smooth or smooth and/or crystal defect-free side walls and rounded corners on the
- FIGS. 6A-6B show exemplary sectional views of the layer structure during the manufacturing process according to a further exemplary manufacturing sequence based on the method according to FIG. 3. Consequently, the exemplary sequence according to FIGS. 6A-6B is a further exemplary embodiment of the method according to FIG. 3.
- the first steps of the method according to FIG. 3 again correspond, by way of example, to steps S101 to S104 of the method according to FIG. 1 or to the exemplary production sequence (i) to (v) according to FIG. 2A.
- Figs. 6A-6B the exemplary manufacturing sequence based on further exemplary embodiments of the method according to FIG. 3.
- the application of the electrode layer has not yet been carried out, for example, before structuring the functional layer 3, in order to preferably enable a healing step following the structuring of the functional layer 3 at high temperatures above or equal to 700 ° C, which is followed by an electrode layer that has already been applied in the usual way, e.g. made of aluminum, could not withstand.
- step S306 of the method according to FIG. 3 e.g. analogous to step S108 in FIG. 1
- the manufacturing sequence according to FIGS. 6A-6B exemplarily structures the functional layer 3 in areas 3a, see Fig. 6A (v).
- the mechanically effective structures of the MEMS device are formed in the functional layer, preferably by high-rate etching or deep reactive ion etching or DRIE for short.
- Structuring the functional layer 3 includes, for example, forming or exposing the mirror carrier element under the mirror layer 6a, the mirror carrier element being formed from the functional layer 3, as well as the holding webs (spring structure), which can be formed from the functional layer 3 and can act as a spring system, and which can hold the mirror support element so that it can oscillate about one, two or more oscillation and/or torsion axes.
- the spring structure can comprise springs, particularly preferably bending and/or torsion springs, which are preferably designed to hold the mirror support element in such a way that the mirror support element has an oscillating rotational movement about the respective oscillation and/or torsion axis (e.g. torsional vibrations).
- springs particularly preferably bending and/or torsion springs, which are preferably designed to hold the mirror support element in such a way that the mirror support element has an oscillating rotational movement about the respective oscillation and/or torsion axis (e.g. torsional vibrations).
- an annealing step is carried out at high temperatures essentially greater than or equal to 700° C. in order to smooth the side walls of the areas 3a of the functional layer 3 that were deeply etched in step S306 and to round off corners of the areas 3a of the functional layer 3.
- the annealing step S307 may include a step in which the surface of the regions 3a of the functional layer 3 is subjected to a step of hydrogen annealing or hydrogen annealing at temperatures of substantially greater than or equal to 1000 ° C and preferably substantially less than or equal to 1250 ° C. Annealing (hydrogen annealing) is subjected (alternatively or in addition to the sacrificial oxidation described above).
- the surface of the areas 3a of the functional layer 3 at temperatures of substantially greater than or equal to 900 ° C, in particular substantially greater than or equal to 1000 ° C, and preferably substantially smaller or equal to 1350 ° C, in particular substantially less than or equal to 1250 ° C, subjected to a hydrogen annealing step (see e.g. Fig. 6A (vi)).
- any etching scallops as well as any other surface defects can be reduced or eliminated, so that smoothed side walls are formed, up to the complete conversion into a completely smooth and/or crystal defect-free side wall .
- the rectangular structural corners that were created during the structuring of the functional layer can be rounded off (rounded or rounded structural corners).
- the corresponding layer structure or the MEMS device that comprises the layer structure advantageously has smoothed or smooth and/or crystal defect-free side walls and rounded corners on the structured areas and trenches of the functional layer, so that breaking limits of the movable or vibrating parts of the functional layer or in particular the spring structure that is formed in the functional layer can be significantly increased and the occurrence of early breaks in the spring structure can be successfully reduced.
- the occurrence of fractures in the deflection structures or the spring structure can advantageously be significantly reduced and in particular larger deflection angles or deflection amplitudes can be made possible, at which breaks in the deflection structures or the spring structure would already occur in components manufactured according to the prior art.
- the electrode layer 6 is applied, for example, after the annealing step S307; see also Fig. 6A (vii).
- the area 5b previously opened in the dielectric layer 5 is also filled with the material of the electrode layer, in particular, for example, to form a bond pad.
- an electrode layer 6 (top electrode layer) can be deposited over the entire surface, for example made of metal, in particular aluminum, for example.
- high-temperature-stable materials in particular, for example, high-temperature-stable metals, can also be used for the electrode layer.
- the healing step can also take place after the application and/or structuring of the electrode layer and optionally also after the rear opening of the layer structure, which preferably comprises high-temperature stable and chemically resistant materials; see, for example, the exemplary embodiments described below according to Figs. 8 to 10.
- the electrode layer 6, which is applied on or above the dielectric layer 5, is structured as an example; see also Fig. 6B (viii).
- a bonding pad 6b is formed with the material of the electrode layer formed, which can provide electrical contact to the top of the functional layer 3.
- the layer structure is opened on the back, for example, in order to expose the functional layer 3 on the side that is opposite the piezoelectric layer 4; see also Fig. 6B (ix), in which, for example, the substrate layer 1 is opened at the back towards the intermediate layer 2, and Fig. 6B (x), in which, for example, the intermediate layer 2 is opened at the back towards the functional layer 3.
- the layer structure produced is provided as an example in a vacuum-packed MEMS device 300 according to FIG. 6.
- the layer structure was hermetically sealed from above with a translucent cover element 7 (e.g. a translucent dome element or a glass dome) (see e.g. Fig. 6B (xi)) and hermetically sealed from below with a base body element 8 under a vacuum atmosphere (e.g. vacuum encapsulation).
- a translucent cover element 7 e.g. a translucent dome element or a glass dome
- a base body element 8 under a vacuum atmosphere
- differently shaped cover elements or 3D-shaped cover elements are also possible (e.g. angular or planar).
- the material of the cover elements is preferably translucent, for example glass or other optically transparent materials (e.g. approx. 400-2500 nm), such as borosilicate glass (e.g. Borofloat® BF33 from SCHOTT).
- steps S308 to S311 from above also apply to the manufacturing sequence according to Figs. 6A-6B applicable.
- FIG. 7 shows an exemplary sectional view of a MEMS device 300, which is constructed according to the exemplary manufacturing sequence of FIGS. 6A-6B can be made. Consequently, a vacuum-packed MEMS mirror device 300 (eg a MEMS mirror scanner), which comprises the layer structure produced, can be provided with piezoelectrically deflectable or controllable mirror 6a, the corresponding layer structure or the MEMS device 300 comprising the layer structure, advantageously has smoothed or smooth and / or crystal defect-free side walls and rounded corners on the structured areas and trenches of the functional layer, so that breaking limits of the movable or vibrating parts of the functional layer or in particular of the spring structure formed in the functional layer are significantly increased and the occurrence of early breaks in the spring structure can be successfully reduced.
- a vacuum-packed MEMS mirror device 300 eg a MEMS mirror scanner
- the corresponding layer structure or the MEMS device 300 comprising the layer structure advantageously has smoothed or smooth and / or crystal defect-free side walls and rounded corners on the structured
- the occurrence of fractures in the deflection structures or The spring structure can advantageously be significantly reduced and in particular larger deflection angles or deflection amplitudes can be made possible, at which breaks in the deflection structures or the spring structure would already occur in components manufactured according to the prior art.
- FIG. 8 shows an exemplary flowchart of a method for producing a layer structure for a MEMS device according to further exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.
- Figs. 9A-9B show exemplary sectional views of the layer structure during the manufacturing process according to an exemplary manufacturing sequence based on the method according to FIG. 8.
- the first steps of the method according to FIG. 8 initially correspond, by way of example, to steps S101 to S104 of the method according to FIG. 1 or to the exemplary production sequence (i) to (v) according to FIG. 2A.
- steps S101 to S104 of the method according to FIG. 1 or to the exemplary production sequence (i) to (v) according to FIG. 2A.
- Fig. 2A (v) the following Figs. 9A-9B exemplary sectional views of the layer structure during the manufacturing process according to an exemplary manufacturing sequence based on the method according to FIG. 8.
- a layer structure is provided which, for example, already includes the substrate layer 1 and the functional layer 3.
- the piezoelectric layer 4 is applied to the functional layer 3.
- the piezoelectric layer 4, which is applied on or above the functional layer 3, is structured as an example.
- the dielectric layer 5 is applied by way of example.
- the dielectric layer 5 is applied, for example, to areas of the piezoelectric layer 4 and is further applied, for example, to areas of the functional layer 3 that are opened after the piezoelectric layer 4 has been structured.
- the applied dielectric layer 5 can be opened in selected areas, for example by one to provide the area 5b intended for a later bond pad.
- the applied dielectric layer 5 can also be opened or partially opened over the structured areas of the piezoelectric layer 4.
- steps S301 to S304 from above are also exemplary for the manufacturing sequence according to Figs. 9A-9B can be applied in connection with steps S801 to S804 according to FIG.
- an electrode layer 9, which can optionally be previously opened in areas, is applied, for example, on the dielectric layer 5; see also Fig. 9A (v).
- a high-temperature-stable, electrically conductive material is used in step S805 when applying the electrode layer 9.
- a high-temperature stable material can be used (instead of, for example, aluminum of the electrode layer 6 in FIGS. 2A to 2C) that can withstand temperatures essentially greater than or equal to 700 ° C, in further exemplary embodiments preferably essentially greater than or equal to 800 ° C and preferably can withstand greater than or equal to 1000°C, and in further exemplary embodiments particularly preferably can withstand substantially greater than or equal to 1250°C.
- a conductive silicon layer can be used as the high-temperature-stable material of the high-temperature-stable electrode layer 9 (e.g. deposited by physical vapor deposition, PVD, deposited by chemical vapor deposition, CVD, or . through plasma-assisted chemical vapor deposition or plasma-enhanced chemical, vapor deposition PECVD, etc.).
- a doped polysilicon as a (non-metallic) high-temperature-stable material for the high-temperature-stable electrode layer 9 is particularly preferred.
- a high-temperature-stable metal can alternatively or additionally be used as the material of the high-temperature-stable electrode layer 9 (e.g. molybdenum, platinum, tungsten, tungsten titanium or WTi, tungsten carbide or WC, etc.).
- Such high-temperature-stable materials for use as the material of the high-temperature-stable electrode layer 9 enable the layer structure to continue to be compatible with a high-temperature-stable process sequence at temperatures essentially greater than or equal to 700 ° C or essentially greater than or equal to 800 ° C, in particular the one already applied Electrode layer 9 can also withstand a later annealing step (eg sacrificial oxidation and/or hydrogen annealing according to the above exemplary embodiments) at temperatures essentially greater than or equal to 700°C, in particular between essentially 700°C and 1250°C.
- a later annealing step eg sacrificial oxidation and/or hydrogen annealing according to the above exemplary embodiments
- the dielectric layer 5 is opened in areas 5a towards the functional layer 3, see also FIG. 9A (vii). These are in particular openable areas 5a of the dielectric layer 5, in which the underlying functional layer 3 is structured to form the mechanically effective structures (e.g. the spring structure) of the MEMS device.
- the mechanically effective structures e.g. the spring structure
- the remaining areas of the piezoelectric layer 4 remain completely encapsulated by the dielectric layer 5 (see, for example, FIG. 9A (vii)), ie the remaining areas of the piezoelectric layer 4 are or remain particularly preferably exemplary completely encapsulated between the functional layer 3 and the dielectric layer 5.
- This has the advantage that the layer structure can still be subjected to high-temperature processes at temperatures essentially greater than or equal to 700 ° C, for example at over approximately 700 ° C to 1250 ° C, without affecting the encapsulated areas of the piezoelectric layer 4.
- This encapsulation of the structured areas of the piezoelectric layer 4, for example by means of the dielectric layer, is able to advantageously protect the structured areas of the piezoelectric layer 4 despite the high temperatures in the annealing step and despite the chemically aggressive media (e.g. oxygen or hydrogen). that even piezoelectric materials that are not stable at high temperatures or not as chemically resistant, such as PZT, can still be used as piezoelectric material (encapsulated in the annealing step). In embodiments using high-temperature stable and/or chemically resistant piezoelectric materials, it is not necessary to encapsulate the structured areas of the piezoelectric layer 4.
- the chemically aggressive media e.g. oxygen or hydrogen
- the high-temperature stable electrode layer 9 can also be used to encapsulate the structured regions of the piezoelectric layer 4.
- the remaining areas of the piezoelectric layer 4 are or remain completely encapsulated by the high-temperature stable electrode layer 9, i.e. the remaining areas of the piezoelectric layer 4 are or remain, particularly preferably, completely between the functional layer 3 and the high-temperature-stable electrode layer 9 (optionally with an intermediate or partially intermediate dielectric layer 5).
- the layer structure can still be subjected to high-temperature processes at essentially greater than or equal to 700 ° C, for example at over approximately 700 ° C to 1250 ° C, without affecting the encapsulated areas of the piezoelectric layer 4, in particular also Any less chemically resistant piezoelectric materials can be protected by encapsulating aggressive media, such as oxygen (e.g. in a sacrificial oxidation annealing step) and/or hydrogen (e.g. in a hydrogen annealing annealing step).
- oxygen e.g. in a sacrificial oxidation annealing step
- hydrogen e.g. in a hydrogen annealing annealing step
- step S808 of the method according to FIG. 8 e.g. analogous to S108 in FIG. 1
- the functional layer 3 is structured in areas 3a, see also FIG. 9A (viii).
- the mechanically effective structures of the MEMS device are formed in the functional layer, preferably by high-rate etching or deep reactive ion etching or DRIE for short.
- Structuring the functional layer 3 includes, for example, forming or exposing the mirror support element, which is formed from the functional layer 3, as well as the holding webs (spring structure), which are formed from the functional layer 3 and act as a spring system, and which move the mirror support element by one or two or can hold several oscillation and/or torsion axes so that they can oscillate.
- the spring structure can comprise springs, particularly preferably bending and/or torsion springs, which are preferably designed to hold the mirror support element in such a way that the mirror support element has an oscillating rotational movement about the respective oscillation and/or torsion axis (e.g. torsional vibrations).
- springs particularly preferably bending and/or torsion springs, which are preferably designed to hold the mirror support element in such a way that the mirror support element has an oscillating rotational movement about the respective oscillation and/or torsion axis (e.g. torsional vibrations).
- a healing step is carried out at high temperatures essentially greater than or equal to 700 ° C, in particular in order to smooth the side walls of the areas 3a of the functional layer 3 that were deeply etched in step S808 and to round off corners of the areas 3a of the functional layer 3.
- the annealing step S809 may include a step in which the surface of the regions 3a of the functional layer 3 is at temperatures substantially greater than or equal to 700° C., preferably at temperatures substantially greater than or equal to 800° C. (e.g. at approx. 800°C-1250°C) are oxidized.
- a sacrificial oxidation can be carried out as a healing step according to S809. This oxidation can cause the surface effects created during etching (e.g.
- the sacrificial oxidation layer 11 can preferably be removed selectively and, in particular, any etching scallop as well as any surface defects (e.g. crystal defects, etching, side wall breakthroughs and atomic defects, etc.) can be reduced or eliminated, so that smoothed side walls are formed, up to complete transformation into a completely smooth and/or crystal defect-free sidewall.
- any etching scallop as well as any surface defects (e.g. crystal defects, etching, side wall breakthroughs and atomic defects, etc.) can be reduced or eliminated, so that smoothed side walls are formed, up to complete transformation into a completely smooth and/or crystal defect-free sidewall.
- the rectangular structural corners that were created during the structuring of the functional layer can be rounded off (rounded or rounded structural corners).
- advantageously smoothed side walls and rounded structural corners of the side walls of the regions 3a of the functional layer 3 remain; see e.g. Fig. 9B (ix).
- the annealing step S809 can also again comprise a step in which the surface of the regions 3a of the functional layer 3, for example at temperatures substantially greater than or equal to 1000° C., for example of approximately 1000° C to 1250 ° C, is subjected to a hydrogen annealing step.
- a step of hydrogen annealing (hydrogen annealing).
- any etching scallops as well as any surface defects can be reduced or eliminated, so that smoothed side walls are formed, even completely Conversion to a completely smooth and/or crystal defect-free sidewall; see e.g. Fig.
- the surface effects or surface defects created during etching e.g. formed noses, waves, so-called scallops, etc.
- the side walls of the deeply etched Side walls of the areas 3a of the functional layer 3 are smoothed (analogous to S307 according to FIG. 3).
- any etching scallops as well as any other surface defects can be reduced or eliminated, so that smoothed side walls are formed, up to the complete conversion into a completely smooth and/or crystal defect-free side wall .
- the rectangular structural corners that were created during the structuring of the functional layer can be rounded off (rounded or rounded structural corners).
- the corresponding layer structure or the MEMS device that comprises the layer structure advantageously has smoothed or smooth and/or crystal defect-free side walls and rounded corners on the structured areas and trenches of the functional layer, so that breaking limits of the movable or vibrating parts of the functional layer or in particular the spring structure formed in the functional layer can be significantly increased and the occurrence of early breaks in the spring structure can be successfully reduced.
- the occurrence of fractures in the deflection structures or the spring structure can advantageously be significantly reduced and in particular larger deflection angles or deflection amplitudes can be made possible, at which breaks in the deflection structures or the spring structure would already occur in components manufactured according to the prior art
- the method according to FIG. 8 can therefore include, by way of example, a further step S810 of applying a mirror layer 10 to form the mirror 10a on the mirror carrier element of the functional layer 3; see also, for example, Fig. 9B (x).
- a simple metal such as aluminum
- the material of the metallic mirror layer can be selected depending on the desired application for the respective wavelength range, in particular with very good reflection behavior in the wavelength range of the desired application, for example aluminum or silver for visible light (e.g. essentially at wavelengths of 400-700 nm ) or gold for infrared light or infrared radiation (e.g. essentially at wavelengths of 850-2000nm).
- a conductive material this can also be used, for example, to form the bond pad 10b; see also, for example, Fig. 9B (x).
- the layer structure is opened at the back, in particular in order to expose the functional layer 3 on the side that is opposite the piezoelectric layer 4; see also Fig. 9B (xi), in which, for example, the substrate layer 1 and the intermediate layer 2 are opened at the back towards the functional layer 3.
- the layer structure produced is provided as an example in a vacuum-packed MEMS device 400 according to FIG.
- the layer structure was hermetically sealed from above with a translucent cover element 7 (e.g. a translucent dome element or a glass dome) and hermetically sealed from below with a base body element 8 under a vacuum atmosphere (e.g. vacuum encapsulation).
- a translucent cover element 7 e.g. a translucent dome element or a glass dome
- a vacuum atmosphere e.g. vacuum encapsulation
- cover elements or 3D-shaped cover elements are also possible (eg angular or planar).
- the material of the cover elements is preferably translucent, for example glass or other optically transparent ones Materials (e.g. approx. 400-2500 nm), such as borosilicate glass (e.g. Borofloat® BF33 from SCHOTT).
- FIGS. 9A-9B shows an exemplary sectional view of a MEMS device 400 constructed according to the exemplary manufacturing sequence of FIGS. 9A-9B is made. Consequently, a vacuum-packed MEMS mirror device 400 (e.g. a MEMS mirror scanner) can be provided, which comprises the layer structure produced, e.g.
- the corresponding layer structure or the MEMS device 400 comprising the layer structure , advantageously smoothed or smooth and / or crystal defect-free side walls and rounded corners on the structured areas and trenches of the functional layer, so that breaking limits of the movable or vibrating parts of the functional layer or in particular of the spring structure that is formed in the functional layer are significantly increased and the occurrence of early breaks in the spring structure can be successfully reduced.
- the breaking limits of the movable or vibrating parts of the functional layer or in particular of the spring structure formed in the functional layer can be at least doubled, or even increased fivefold or tenfold.
- the occurrence of fractures in the deflection structures or the spring structure can advantageously be significantly reduced and in particular larger deflection angles or deflection amplitudes can be made possible, at which breaks in the deflection structures or the spring structure would already occur in components manufactured according to the prior art.
- FIG. 11 shows an exemplary flowchart of a method for producing a layer structure for a MEMS device according to further exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.
- Figs. 12A-12B show exemplary sectional views of the layer structure during the manufacturing process according to an exemplary manufacturing sequence based on the method according to FIG. 11.
- the layer structure is provided, which exemplarily includes the substrate layer 1 and the functional layer 3.
- the piezoelectric layer 4 is applied to the functional layer 3.
- the piezoelectric layer 4, which is applied on or above the functional layer 3, is structured as an example.
- steps S301 to S303 from above are also exemplary for the manufacturing sequence according to Figs. 12A-12C can be applied in connection with steps S1101 to S1104 according to FIG. 11.
- the functional layer 3 is now structured directly before the dielectric layer 5 is applied (step S1104 of FIG. 11) and then, for example, the annealing step S1105 takes place in a state of the layer structure in which in structured areas of the piezoelectric layer 4 are open at the top.
- a piezoelectric layer 4 made of a high-temperature stable and/or chemically resistant piezoelectric material can preferably be applied in step S1102.
- the high-temperature stable and/or chemically resistant piezoelectric layer 4 may comprise, for example, aluminum nitride (AIN) and/or aluminum scandium nitride (AlScN).
- the functional layer 3 is structured in areas 3a, see also FIG. 12A (iii).
- the mechanically effective structures of the MEMS device are formed in the functional layer, preferably by high-rate etching or deep reactive ion etching or DRIE for short.
- Structuring the functional layer 3 includes, for example, the formation or exposing of the mirror carrier element (under the later applied mirror layer 6a, see for example FIG. 13), which is formed from the functional layer 3 as an example, as well as the Holding webs (spring structure), which are formed by way of example from the functional layer 3 and can act as a holding spring structure, and which can hold the mirror support element so that it can oscillate about one, two or more oscillation and/or torsion axes.
- the mirror carrier element under the later applied mirror layer 6a, see for example FIG. 13
- the Holding webs spring structure
- the spring structure can comprise springs, particularly preferably bending and/or torsion springs, which are preferably designed to hold the mirror support element in such a way that the mirror support element has an oscillating rotational movement about the respective oscillation and/or torsion axis (e.g. torsional vibrations).
- springs particularly preferably bending and/or torsion springs, which are preferably designed to hold the mirror support element in such a way that the mirror support element has an oscillating rotational movement about the respective oscillation and/or torsion axis (e.g. torsional vibrations).
- the deep reactive ion etching for patterning the functional layer 3 can be performed, for example, using a photolithography mask.
- a healing step is carried out at high temperatures essentially greater than or equal to 700 ° C, in particular in order to smooth the side walls of the areas 3a of the functional layer 3 that were deeply etched in step S1104 and to round off corners of the areas 3a of the functional layer 3.
- the annealing step S1105 may include a step in which the surface of the regions 3a of the functional layer 3 is at temperatures substantially greater than or equal to 700° C., preferably at temperatures substantially greater than or equal to 800° C. (e.g. at approx. 800°C to 1250°C) are oxidized.
- a sacrificial oxidation can be carried out as a healing step according to S1105.
- This oxidation can cause the surface effects created during etching (e.g. unevenness, such as formed noses, waves, so-called scallops, as well as any other surface defects such as crystal defects, etching, side wall breakthroughs and atomic defects, etc.) on the side walls of the deeply etched side walls of the Areas 3a of the functional layer 3 are oxidized.
- the sacrificial oxidation layer can preferably be removed selectively and, in particular, any etching scallops as well as any surface defects (e.g.
- crystal defects, etching, side wall breakthroughs and atomic defects, etc. can be reduced or eliminated, so that smoothed side walls are formed, even completely Conversion into one completely smooth and/or crystal defect-free sidewall.
- the rectangular structural corners that were created during the structuring of the functional layer can be rounded off (rounded or rounded structural corners).
- advantageously smoothed side walls and rounded structural corners of the side walls of the regions 3a of the functional layer 3 remain; see, for example, Fig. 12A (iv).
- the annealing step S1105 can in some exemplary embodiments (alternatively or in addition to the surface oxidation) also comprise a step in which the surface of the regions 3a of the functional layer 3, for example at temperatures substantially greater than or equal to 1000° C., for example of approximately 1000° C to 1250 ° C, is subjected to a hydrogen annealing step.
- An example can be after structuring
- any etching scallops as well as any surface defects can be reduced or eliminated, so that smoothed side walls are formed, up to the complete transformation into a completely smooth and/or crystal defect-free side wall; see e.g. Fig. 12A (iv).
- the surface effects or surface defects created during etching e.g. side wall breakthroughs and atomic defects, or also formed noses, waves, so-called scallops, etc.
- the healing step S1105 advantageously smoothed side walls of the areas 3a of the functional layer 3 with rounded corners remain; see e.g. Fig. 12A (iv).
- the occurrence of fractures in the deflection structures or the spring structure can advantageously be significantly reduced and in particular larger deflection angles or deflection amplitudes can be made possible, at which breaks in the deflection structures or the spring structure would already occur in components manufactured according to the prior art.
- a dielectric layer 5 is applied by way of example; see also Fig. 12B (v). 12B (v), the dielectric layer 5 is applied, for example, to areas of the piezoelectric layer 4 and further, for example, to areas of the functional layer 3 that are open after the piezoelectric layer 4 has been structured.
- an electrode layer 6 is applied, for example, to the dielectric layer 5, which was optionally previously opened in areas; see also Fig.12B (vii).
- the area 5b, which was previously opened in the dielectric layer 5, is also used, in particular to form a Bond pads, and open areas 3a of the trenches of the functional layer 3 are at least partially filled with the material of the electrode layer 6.
- the electrode layer 6, which is applied on or above the dielectric layer 5, is structured by way of example; see also Fig. 12B (viii).
- a bond pad 6b is formed with the material of the electrode layer, which provides electrical contact to the top of the functional layer 3.
- any material of the electrode layer 6 can be removed again from the opened areas 3a of the trenches of the functional layer 3.
- step S1109 of structuring the electrode layer 6 the desired structure of the upper electrode (top electrode) for the upper electrical contacting of the piezoelectric layer 4 is formed. Furthermore, by way of example, in step S1109 of structuring the electrode layer 6, for example in the middle of the layer structure, according to FIG. 12B (viii), a mirror 6a (mirror layer with a reflective surface) is formed using the material of the electrode layer 6.
- the electrode layer can comprise metal, in particular aluminum, so that the surface of the electrode layer 6 already has a reflective surface and is suitable for forming the mirror 6a.
- a non-reflective or a non-metallic electrode layer e.g. doped polycrystalline silicon
- a further, for example metallic, mirror layer e.g. as a thin-layer metal film, e.g. with a layer thickness of essentially greater than or equal to 100 nm and/or substantially less than or equal to 2000 nm
- a further, for example metallic, mirror layer e.g. as a thin-layer metal film, e.g. with a layer thickness of essentially greater than or equal to 100 nm and/or substantially less than or equal to 2000 nm
- the material of the metallic mirror layer can be selected depending on the desired application for the respective wavelength range, in particular with very good reflection behavior in the wavelength range of the desired application, for example aluminum or silver for visible light (e.g. essentially at wavelengths of 400-700 nm ) or gold for infrared light or infrared radiation (e.g. essentially at wavelengths of 850-2000nm).
- the layer structure is opened at the back, in particular in order to expose the functional layer 3 on the side that is opposite the piezoelectric layer 4; see also Fig. 12C (ix), in which, by way of example, the substrate layer 1 is opened at the back towards the intermediate layer 2, and Fig. 12C (x), in which, by way of example, the intermediate layer 2 is opened at the back towards the functional layer 3.
- the layer structure produced is provided as an example in a vacuum-packed MEMS device 500 according to FIG. 13.
- the layer structure was hermetically sealed from above with a translucent cover element 7 (e.g. a translucent dome element or a glass dome) and from below with a base body element 8 under a vacuum atmosphere (e.g. vacuum encapsulation).
- a translucent cover element 7 e.g. a translucent dome element or a glass dome
- a base body element 8 under a vacuum atmosphere (e.g. vacuum encapsulation).
- a vacuum atmosphere e.g. vacuum encapsulation
- differently shaped cover elements or 3D-shaped cover elements are also possible (e.g. angular or planar).
- the material of the cover elements is preferably translucent, for example glass or other optically transparent materials (e.g. approx. 400-2500 nm), such as borosilicate glass (e.g. Borofloat® BF33 from SCHOTT).
- steps S1106 and S1107 in particular can be carried out analogously to steps S304 and S305 and corresponding descriptions of FIG. 3 and the associated exemplary manufacturing sequences can be applicable by way of example.
- steps S1108 to Sllll in particular can be carried out analogously to steps S308 to S311 and corresponding descriptions of FIG. 3 and the associated exemplary manufacturing sequences can be applicable by way of example.
- FIG. 13 shows an exemplary sectional view of a MEMS device 500 constructed according to the exemplary manufacturing sequence of FIGS. 12A-12C is made. Consequently, a vacuum-packed MEMS mirror device 500 (eg a MEMS mirror scanner), which comprises the layer structure produced, in particular with piezoelectrically deflectable or controllable mirror 6a, can be provided, the corresponding layer structure or the MEMS device 500 comprising the layer structure , advantageously smoothed or smooth and / or crystal defect-free side walls and rounded corners on the structured areas and trenches of the functional layer, so that breaking limits of the movable or vibrating parts of the functional layer or in particular of the spring structure that is formed in the functional layer are significantly increased and the occurrence of early breaks in the spring structure can be successfully reduced.
- a vacuum-packed MEMS mirror device 500 eg a MEMS mirror scanner
- the corresponding layer structure or the MEMS device 500 comprising the layer structure , advantageously smoothed or smooth and / or crystal defect-free side walls and rounded corners on
- the breaking limits of the movable or vibrating parts of the functional layer or in particular the spring structure formed in the functional layer can be at least doubled, or even increased fivefold or tenfold.
- the occurrence of fractures in the deflection structures or the spring structure can advantageously be significantly reduced and in particular larger deflection angles or deflection amplitudes can be made possible, at which breaks in the deflection structures or the spring structure would already occur in components manufactured according to the prior art.
- a layer structure according to exemplary embodiments with structured areas of the piezoelectric layer encapsulated under a high-temperature stable layer e.g. under a dielectric layer
- a high-temperature stable layer e.g. under a dielectric layer
- annealing steps such as hydrogen annealing of deeply etched surfaces, e.g. at approx . 1000°C-1250°C, and/or sacrificial oxidation, e.g. at approx. 800°C-1250°C, with etching back of the sacrificial oxide layer
- less high-temperature stable and/or less chemically resistant materials are used under the encapsulation (e.g.
- high-temperature stable and/or chemically resistant materials can also be used for the bottom electrode and/or for the piezoelectric layer, so that such healing steps can also take place without encapsulation.
- a high-temperature annealing step e.g. by hydrogen annealing and/or by sacrificial oxidation according to exemplary embodiments
- a high-temperature annealing step makes it possible to successfully and advantageously smooth the deeply etched side walls of the structured functional layer in order to avoid the damage during the etching process (e.g. DRIE) caused errors and roughness (e.g Scallops, side wall breakthroughs and atomic defects, etc.) on the surface and also to round off rectangular corners created during etching.
- DRIE damage during the etching process
- roughness e.g Scallops, side wall breakthroughs and atomic defects, etc.
- roughness values of up to 200 nm and generally over 50 nm usually occur on the deeply etched side walls of the structured functional layer, which are caused by annealing according to the above exemplary embodiments (e.g. by hydrogen annealing and/or by sacrificial oxidation according to exemplary embodiments).
- annealing e.g. by hydrogen annealing and/or by sacrificial oxidation according to exemplary embodiments
- the 90° Corners on the deeply etched side walls of the structured functional layer are rounded off (finite corner radius).
- this advantageously leads to a significantly increased stability or fracture stability of the movable elements of the MEMS device and in particular of the spring structure, which is formed from the functional layer, with increased fracture limits, whereby premature breaks of the spring structure or breaks of the spring structure at low deflection angles are avoided can be.
- the breaking limits of the movable or vibrating parts of the functional layer or in particular of the spring structure formed in the functional layer can be at least doubled, or even increased fivefold or tenfold.
- components are manufactured without healed side walls (i.e.
- the occurrence of fractures in the deflection structures or the spring structure can advantageously be significantly reduced and in particular larger deflection angles or deflection amplitudes can be made possible, at which breaks in the deflection structures or the spring structure would already occur in components manufactured according to the prior art.
- the layer structure according to exemplary embodiments with advantageously smoothed side walls of the areas 3a of the functional layer 3 with rounded corners has increased resilience and stability or fracture stability. It could be proven that the layers of the layer structure, including the Functional layer 3 with advantageously smoothed side walls and rounded corners lead to the functional layer having improved breaking limits.
- the original fracture behavior e.g. of silicon
- the original fracture behavior e.g. of silicon
- a high elastic modulus value >160 GPa
- a high hardness ⁇ 10 GPa
- the higher mechanical breaking limits of the layer structure of the MEMS device advantageously make it possible to increase larger deflection amplitudes of the movable elements (e.g. scanning amplitudes of the oscillating mirror surface).
- this in turn has an advantage that the MEMS devices according to exemplary embodiments can be dimensioned differently or smaller, i.e. with a more compact design, which in turn enables significant cost savings.
- higher stress values can advantageously be permitted in the springs, which, according to further exemplary embodiments, advantageously makes it possible to use shortened springs. This means, for example, that with the chip size remaining the same, more space is advantageously available for the mirror plate, so that larger mirror plates can be made possible, whereby higher optical resolutions can be provided.
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Abstract
Description
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Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| DE102022117679.7A DE102022117679A1 (de) | 2022-07-14 | 2022-07-14 | Verfahren zur herstellung eines schichtaufbaus für eine mems-vorrichtung und mems-vorrichtung mit einem derartigen schichtaufbau |
| PCT/EP2023/069360 WO2024013250A1 (de) | 2022-07-14 | 2023-07-12 | Verfahren zur herstellung eines schichtaufbaus für eine mems-vorrichtung und mems-vorrichtung mit einem derartigen schichtaufbau |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
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| EP4554891A1 true EP4554891A1 (de) | 2025-05-21 |
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| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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| EP23742038.5A Withdrawn EP4554891A1 (de) | 2022-07-14 | 2023-07-12 | Verfahren zur herstellung eines schichtaufbaus für eine mems-vorrichtung und mems-vorrichtung mit einem derartigen schichtaufbau |
Country Status (5)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US20260054980A1 (de) |
| EP (1) | EP4554891A1 (de) |
| CN (1) | CN119522189A (de) |
| DE (1) | DE102022117679A1 (de) |
| WO (1) | WO2024013250A1 (de) |
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| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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| JP2002231945A (ja) * | 2001-02-06 | 2002-08-16 | Denso Corp | 半導体装置の製造方法 |
| US7605966B2 (en) | 2008-01-21 | 2009-10-20 | Stanley Electric Co., Ltd. | Optical deflector |
| EP2449670B1 (de) * | 2009-06-29 | 2015-01-21 | Freescale Semiconductor, Inc. | Verfahren zur formung einer elektromechanischen wandlervorrichtung |
| US9102519B2 (en) * | 2013-03-14 | 2015-08-11 | Infineon Technologies Ag | Semiconductor devices and methods of forming thereof |
| DE102019220132B4 (de) * | 2019-12-19 | 2022-01-13 | Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung e.V. | Piezoelektrisches Element und Verfahren zum Herstellen eines piezoelektrischen Elements |
-
2022
- 2022-07-14 DE DE102022117679.7A patent/DE102022117679A1/de not_active Withdrawn
-
2023
- 2023-07-12 EP EP23742038.5A patent/EP4554891A1/de not_active Withdrawn
- 2023-07-12 CN CN202380053835.0A patent/CN119522189A/zh active Pending
- 2023-07-12 WO PCT/EP2023/069360 patent/WO2024013250A1/de not_active Ceased
- 2023-07-12 US US18/994,529 patent/US20260054980A1/en active Pending
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| US20260054980A1 (en) | 2026-02-26 |
| DE102022117679A1 (de) | 2024-01-25 |
| CN119522189A (zh) | 2025-02-25 |
| WO2024013250A1 (de) | 2024-01-18 |
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