CA2219945A1 - Electrostatically operated, micromechanical capacitor - Google Patents
Electrostatically operated, micromechanical capacitor Download PDFInfo
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- CA2219945A1 CA2219945A1 CA002219945A CA2219945A CA2219945A1 CA 2219945 A1 CA2219945 A1 CA 2219945A1 CA 002219945 A CA002219945 A CA 002219945A CA 2219945 A CA2219945 A CA 2219945A CA 2219945 A1 CA2219945 A1 CA 2219945A1
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01G—CAPACITORS; CAPACITORS, RECTIFIERS, DETECTORS, SWITCHING DEVICES OR LIGHT-SENSITIVE DEVICES, OF THE ELECTROLYTIC TYPE
- H01G5/00—Capacitors in which the capacitance is varied by mechanical means, e.g. by turning a shaft; Processes of their manufacture
- H01G5/04—Capacitors in which the capacitance is varied by mechanical means, e.g. by turning a shaft; Processes of their manufacture using variation of effective area of electrode
- H01G5/06—Capacitors in which the capacitance is varied by mechanical means, e.g. by turning a shaft; Processes of their manufacture using variation of effective area of electrode due to rotation of flat or substantially flat electrodes
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01G—CAPACITORS; CAPACITORS, RECTIFIERS, DETECTORS, SWITCHING DEVICES OR LIGHT-SENSITIVE DEVICES, OF THE ELECTROLYTIC TYPE
- H01G5/00—Capacitors in which the capacitance is varied by mechanical means, e.g. by turning a shaft; Processes of their manufacture
- H01G5/04—Capacitors in which the capacitance is varied by mechanical means, e.g. by turning a shaft; Processes of their manufacture using variation of effective area of electrode
Abstract
An electrostatically controlled, micromachined micromechanical capacitor having an adjustable, extensive tuning range. One configuration of the microcapacitor consists of a set of rotatable plates (14) adjacent to each other. Another configuration consists of a set of various sized beams or plates adjacent to a common plate or plates. The pairs of plates are rotated or linearly moved relative to each other to provide an adjustable capacitance.
The rotation or movement of the plates is caused electrostatically by an application of a DC or low frequency voltage to the respective plates. The signals that are processed by these micromechanical capacitors are typically in the megahertz range and higher. The process for micromachining the micromechanical capacitor is similar to the process utilized in integrated circuit fabrication.
The rotation or movement of the plates is caused electrostatically by an application of a DC or low frequency voltage to the respective plates. The signals that are processed by these micromechanical capacitors are typically in the megahertz range and higher. The process for micromachining the micromechanical capacitor is similar to the process utilized in integrated circuit fabrication.
Description
CA 0221994~ 1997-10-31 WO 97/07517 PCI~/US96/13576 ELECTROSTATICALLY OPERATED, MICROMECHANICAL CAPACITOR
BACKGROUND
The invention pertains to microm~chine-l devices and particularly to micromechanical capacitors on a substrate. The invention more particularly pertains to 5 such capacitors having an adjustable c~p~cit~nce.
SUMM~RY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is an elecrostatically conkolled~ microm~hined microcapacitor having a widely adjustable tuning range. This device has no sliding contacts like the-capacitors of the related art, such as those that capacitor plates on an 0 axis that move parallel to each other. The process of microm~hining for making the micromechanical mech~ni~m, i.e., the capacitor, is essentially the same as common integrated circuit processes. However, the skesses are more significant and critical in microm~cllinin~ than in integrated circuit technology. These capacitors may be fabricated in an integrated circuit with the same process that is used to fabricated the integrated circuit itself.
The present invention has at least two configurations. One is a set of rotatableplates next to each other which increase or decrease their overlap and resultingcapacitance, by the rotation of the plates relative to each other. Another configuration is a digitally tuned capacitor having a set of beams or plates of various widths placed adjacent to a common plate. The plates are selectively and eleckostatically rotated or linearly moved in combination to or from the common plate to provide a desired capacitance which can be adjusted.
The invention has application in tunable radio frequency and microwave circuits.It also has application to devices used for impedance-m~trhing integrated circuits to ç~t.?rn~l circuits that operate at various frequencies. The invention may be used in an amplifier for providing an adjustable bandwidth for amplifying signals for maximum gain at certain frequencies or for adjusting other eleckonic characteristics. For instance, it may be used for a tunable oscillator.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
Figure 1 is a diagram of a rotary-tuned micromechanical capacitor.
Figures 2a-2c are section views of the capacitor in figure 1, having various eleckode connections.
CA 0221994~ lss7-l0-3l Figure 3a shows a digitally-tuned micromechanical capacitor.
Figure 3b is a s~hem~tic of the capacitor in figuTe 3a.
Figures 4a-4i illustTate a series of process steps for making rotary-tuned and digitally-tuned micromeçh~nic~l capacitors.
DESCRIPTION QF THE EMBO~IMENTS s Figures 1 and 2a-2c show views of the electTostatically operated, micromechanical capacitor 10 having a broad tuning range. Capacitor 10 has a micromechanical varactor design that incorporates a wide tuning range of a variable capacitor having overlapping or interleaved capacitor plates 12 and 14 with the reproducible motion of watch-like springs 16 which are spiral metallic or dielectric arms. A fixed center post 18 supports rotatable capacitor plates 14 via springs 16. Post 18 and c~r~c.itor plates 14 are formed on and supported by substrate 20. In a quiescent state, plates 14 are symmetrically rotationally located between the two pairs of plates 12. When the plates overlap, each plate 14 is sandwiched between a pair of plates 12.
Plates 14 form one electrode of variable capacitor 10 and the pairs of plates 12form the other electrode of s~r~citor 10, according to the configuration of figure 2a.
When no signal is applied to plates 12 and 14, each plate 14 is rotationally situated and symmetrically located between the respective pairs of plates 12. This is the position of equilibrium of plates 14 relative to plates 12, which is provided by springs 16. A
voltage applied across plates 12 and 14 results in an electrostatic torque that changes the rotational position of plates 14 in relation to plates 12, and consequently changes the value of capacitor 10. The equilibrium position of the plates 14 relative to plates 12, in absence of an ext~rn~l or electrostatic force, results in a minimum value of capacitance of c.~r~c.itor 10.
The electrostatic force used for causing an adjusting or l~;."",i"p movement of plates 14 relative to plates 12 may be from an electrical signal having a low frequency (relative to the frequency of the signal that the capacitance of the plates is to affect) or by a direct curTent (DC). The s~r~citQr-plate-position-controlling signal (i.e., the capacitance ll ;.. ,i"g or adj--~tTnent signal) to capacitor 10 may be superimposed on the 30 signal to be processed or affected by capacitor 10. On the other hand, the signal that is to be processed or affected may be superimposed on the capacitance-controlling DC or lower frequency signal (e.g., one kilohertz). The signal to be processed may be in the CA 0221994~ 1997-10-31 megahertz to gigahertz range. The voltages of the signals may range from microvolts to tens of volts.
By supporting the center plate 14 with spiral dielectric or metallic arms 16, the torque required to rotate the structure is minim~l and easily effected with an electrostatic force of the low frequency or DC signal present on plates 12 and 14. Springs 16 are typically made from the same metal as plate 14. Plates 12 and 14 are made from metal such as nickel with a gold flash on it or copper with a gold flash. Plates 12 and 14 may have a diameter from 200 to 400 microns. The distance between plates 12 and adjacent plate 14 is from-one to two microns. Springs 16 are of the same thickness of plate 0 because they are of the same layer used for plate 14. Springs 16 are about 0.5 micron wide and from one to two microns thick.
The Q of capacitor 10 is in the hundreds. The switching or adjustment speeds of capacitor 10 is the milli.~econd or less range, which is sufficient for nearly all applications of the capacitor.
The capacitance between a set of plates 12 and 14 is in the picofarad range.
Capacitors 10 can be connected in parallel with one another into an array for larger capacitances and/or greater adjustment of capacitance.
Several configurations are possible with structure 10 as shown in figures 2a-2c.For the first one noted above in figure 2a, metallic spiral arms 16 are employed and the center support post 18 provides the connection to one side of the capacitor giving a larger value of capacitance than that of the other configurations. Plates 12 are one electrode and plates 14 are the other electrode of capacitor 10. The electrode connections are shown by wiring 13. For a second configuration shown in figure 2b, dielectric spiral arms 16 are used and the diametrically opposite plates 14 are connected together through a radial metallic ring 38, without an external connection needed. Each pair of plates 12 is an electrode of capacitor 10. The electrode connections are shown by wiring 15. With two variable capacitors in series with each other, the overall capacitance is lower than that of the first configuration. However, the series inductance is lower than that of the first configuration since the conductive path through the spiral of springs 16 is elimin~tefl A third configuration is shown in figure 2c. Each plate of the pairs of adjacent plates 12 are insulated from each other by insulator 19. The diametrically positioned plates 14 are respectively connected to each other. One CA 0221994~ 1997-10-31 electrode is top plates 12 and the other electrode is bottom plates 12. The electrode connections are shown by wiring 17. The electrical characteristics of the capacitor in figure 2c are like those of the capacitor in figure 2b.
Figure 3a shows a digitally tunable capacitor 11 which has bearns 21, 22 and 23 of various widths 39. Capacitor 11 may be a binary tunable capacitor. Each beam has a portion 24 which is naturally positioned several microns apart from the surface of dielectric 25. Beams 21, 22 and 23 are spring-like and are secured to the dielectric at portion 37. A voltage applied between electrode 27 and end 28 of beam 21, end 29 of beam 22, or end-30 of beam 23, causes portion 24 to be moved in contact with the0 surface of dielectric 25 which effectively closes a capacitive switch 31 figure 3b, respectively, for connecting capacitance 32, 33 or 34 between electrodes or terminals 26 and 27. Portion 35 of each beam is a resistor 35 which is in series between t~rmin~l 28, 29 or 30 and capacitive switch 31. Portion 36 of beam 21, 22 or 23 may be a capacitive connection between the beam and electrode 26 or there may be a via in the dielectric 1S with a conductive m~tenPIl such as a metal between portion 36 and electrode 21. On the other hand~ end 28, 29 or 30 may serve as an electrode in lieu of connection 26 of capacitor 32, 33 or 34, respectively, although the series resistor 35 reduces the Q of the capacitor. The Q of such configuration may be increased by replacing resistor 35 with a highly conductive material such as a metal. For either connection configuration, the control signals and capacitively processed signals are combined like those for capacitor 10. If connection 26 is an electrode, then the capacitance between portion 36 and electrode 26 is effectively in series with capacitance 32, 33 or 34. The latter connection configuration results in less capacitance than the former connection configuration noted above.
2s The control signal to lead 28, 29 or 30 may be a low frequency (e.g., 1 KHz) or DC voltage logic signal (having an amplitude of five to twenty volts) to pull portion 24 of the respective beam 28, 29 or 30, against dielectric 25 to close the capacitive switch that exists in effect between portion 24 and a dielectric 25.
Beams 21, 22 or 23 may be 1 to 200 microns wide. Portion 24 may be from 100 to 500 microns long, portion 36 may be from 500 to 1000 microns and resistor 35 may be from 10 to 100 microns long. Portion 24 of beam 21, 22 or 23 may be one to two microns thick. The adjacent beams of the digitally tunable capacitor may have relative CA 0221994~ lss7-l0-3l wO 97/07517 PCT/US96/13576 widths 39 that are a factor of two smaller or larger. For instance. in a binary capacitor 11, width 39 of beam 22 is one-half of the size of width 39 of beam 21, width 39 of beam 23 is one-half of the size of width 39 of beam 22, and so on. A desired capacitance can be selected by logic voltage signals applied across 27 and 28, 29, and/or s 30, and so on. In a six beam capacitor, assuming the largest beam 21 to have an "on"
capacitance value of one unit across terminals 26 and 27 (figures 3a and 3b), capacitor 11 can have a value selected from zero to one-and-31/32 units which can be varied in increments of l/32nd-sized units with least-significant bit value changes of an applied six bit logic signal.
0 Digitally tunable capacitor 11 has lower losses than a solid state capacitor.
Some of the solid state capacitor losses are due to a nonlinearity caused by a change in amplitude of the signal in the device, such as a reverse-biased diode functioning as a solid state capacitor wherein the depletion width is changed to change the capacitance.
The Q of the solid state device having a change of capacitance ratio of 10/1, may be very low such as 1 -3. However, for a solid state eapacitor having a smaller eapaeitanee ehange ratio, the Q ean be as high as 20. A solid state capacitor can tune to a selected value of capacitance within a microsecond, which is a speed not typically needed in most applications. The present digitally tunable capacitor can be tuned to a selected value of capacitance within hundreds of microseconds, which is a sufficient speed for nearly all applications. Further, the digitally tunable capacitor, e.g., the binary tunable capacitor, can have both a Q value greater than 100 and a capacitance change ratio greater than 100.
The process for fabricating digitally tunable capacitor 11 can involve the same and simultaneous process as that for rotary-tunable capacitor 10, on the same substrate.
One may start with a substrate 40 of GaAs, sapphire, quartz or semiin~nl~ting silicon shown in figure 4a. Substrate 40 may be about 625 microns thick. A layer 41 of dielectric composition of silicon dioxide, silicon nitride or other dielectric material at a thickness of 1 -2 microns is formed on substrate 40 in figure 4b. Then layer 41 is 5~ m~k~-l with a photo resist, exposed to a metal layer, and then the photo resist is 30 removed. The photo resist material is a common and commercially available material.
Alternatively, one may deposit the metal on first, mask the metal layer, remove or etch the llnm~cked portions of the metal, and then remove photo resist. The metal layer may CA 0221994~ 1997-10-31 be formed at a thicknes~ from S00 to 4000 angstroms. The metal may be nickel, nichrome, gold-copper, or nickel-copper. Either process results in metal islands 42 of figure 4c. The process is repeated for making a resistor island 43 in figure 4c. Resistor island 43 may be of nichrome, tantalum-nitride, chrome-silicon or other like s composition. The thickness of resistor 43 is about 2000 angstroms. About 2000 angstroms of a dielectric layer is deposited after resistor 43 and portions of some metal islands 42 are masked; or the dielectric is deposited on all exposed surfaces in figure 3c, then much of the area is m~eke~l except resistor 43 and portions of islands 42, and etching is performed in the llnm~cked areas. The m~cking is removed resulting in the o ~ i"i.~g dielectric layers 44 as shown in figure 4d.
Next, a photo resist is applied on a portion of resistor 43, all of dielectric areas or islands 44 except for a portion of one dielectric area 44. A sacrificial layer of two to three microns is deposited on everything covered and not covered by the photo resist layer. The sacrificial layer is composed of an easy to etch material such as a bias sputtered quartz (SiO2) or polymide. The photo resist is removed along with the sacrificial material formed on the photo resist, or the sacrificial layer may be applied, the sacrificial layer masked, and portions of the sacrificial layer then etched away before the removal of the photo resist. This results in islands 45 of sacrificial material on a portion of resistor 43 and on most of dielectric islands or areas 44 as shown in figure 4e.
A photo resist is applied on only certain portions of sacrificial layer areas or islands 45.
A plating base is applied on everything covered and not covered by the photo resist.
The plating base is about 600 angstroms thick and is gold, Lil~iulll-gold or titanium.
The plating base is an adhesion layer for the metal plating to follow. The metal plating is deposited at about 1 to 2 microns thick on the plating base layer. The metal of the 2s plating may be nickel, gold, copper, or nickel-copper. The photo resist along with the plating base and metal plating on the photo resist is removed resulting in areas or islands 46. The removed photo resist also results in spring-like spirals in regions S l of the second largest island at the right of figure 4f. Photo resist is applied on two smaller islands 46, the first and third from the left in figure 4f. Then a second sacrificial layer of 2 to 3 microns is applied. The photo resist is removed resulting in relatively large islands 48 in figure 4g. A photo resist 49 is applied on all of left island 48 and on only a middle portion of right island 48 of figure 4g. A plating base is applied followed by a CA 0221994~ 1997-10-31 wo 97/07517 PCT/US96/13576 plating of a third metal layer on the base. The base and metal are the same as above.
The photo resist is removed along with the metal plate and base on the photo resist, which leaves the metal islands 50 in figure 4h. Finally, sacrificial layers 49, 48 and 45 are removed or etched away, with a solvent such as buffered HF or a commercial 5 substance for removal of the sacrificial m~teri~l . The result is a digitally tuned capacitor 1 1 and rotary tuned capacitor 10.
BACKGROUND
The invention pertains to microm~chine-l devices and particularly to micromechanical capacitors on a substrate. The invention more particularly pertains to 5 such capacitors having an adjustable c~p~cit~nce.
SUMM~RY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is an elecrostatically conkolled~ microm~hined microcapacitor having a widely adjustable tuning range. This device has no sliding contacts like the-capacitors of the related art, such as those that capacitor plates on an 0 axis that move parallel to each other. The process of microm~hining for making the micromechanical mech~ni~m, i.e., the capacitor, is essentially the same as common integrated circuit processes. However, the skesses are more significant and critical in microm~cllinin~ than in integrated circuit technology. These capacitors may be fabricated in an integrated circuit with the same process that is used to fabricated the integrated circuit itself.
The present invention has at least two configurations. One is a set of rotatableplates next to each other which increase or decrease their overlap and resultingcapacitance, by the rotation of the plates relative to each other. Another configuration is a digitally tuned capacitor having a set of beams or plates of various widths placed adjacent to a common plate. The plates are selectively and eleckostatically rotated or linearly moved in combination to or from the common plate to provide a desired capacitance which can be adjusted.
The invention has application in tunable radio frequency and microwave circuits.It also has application to devices used for impedance-m~trhing integrated circuits to ç~t.?rn~l circuits that operate at various frequencies. The invention may be used in an amplifier for providing an adjustable bandwidth for amplifying signals for maximum gain at certain frequencies or for adjusting other eleckonic characteristics. For instance, it may be used for a tunable oscillator.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
Figure 1 is a diagram of a rotary-tuned micromechanical capacitor.
Figures 2a-2c are section views of the capacitor in figure 1, having various eleckode connections.
CA 0221994~ lss7-l0-3l Figure 3a shows a digitally-tuned micromechanical capacitor.
Figure 3b is a s~hem~tic of the capacitor in figuTe 3a.
Figures 4a-4i illustTate a series of process steps for making rotary-tuned and digitally-tuned micromeçh~nic~l capacitors.
DESCRIPTION QF THE EMBO~IMENTS s Figures 1 and 2a-2c show views of the electTostatically operated, micromechanical capacitor 10 having a broad tuning range. Capacitor 10 has a micromechanical varactor design that incorporates a wide tuning range of a variable capacitor having overlapping or interleaved capacitor plates 12 and 14 with the reproducible motion of watch-like springs 16 which are spiral metallic or dielectric arms. A fixed center post 18 supports rotatable capacitor plates 14 via springs 16. Post 18 and c~r~c.itor plates 14 are formed on and supported by substrate 20. In a quiescent state, plates 14 are symmetrically rotationally located between the two pairs of plates 12. When the plates overlap, each plate 14 is sandwiched between a pair of plates 12.
Plates 14 form one electrode of variable capacitor 10 and the pairs of plates 12form the other electrode of s~r~citor 10, according to the configuration of figure 2a.
When no signal is applied to plates 12 and 14, each plate 14 is rotationally situated and symmetrically located between the respective pairs of plates 12. This is the position of equilibrium of plates 14 relative to plates 12, which is provided by springs 16. A
voltage applied across plates 12 and 14 results in an electrostatic torque that changes the rotational position of plates 14 in relation to plates 12, and consequently changes the value of capacitor 10. The equilibrium position of the plates 14 relative to plates 12, in absence of an ext~rn~l or electrostatic force, results in a minimum value of capacitance of c.~r~c.itor 10.
The electrostatic force used for causing an adjusting or l~;."",i"p movement of plates 14 relative to plates 12 may be from an electrical signal having a low frequency (relative to the frequency of the signal that the capacitance of the plates is to affect) or by a direct curTent (DC). The s~r~citQr-plate-position-controlling signal (i.e., the capacitance ll ;.. ,i"g or adj--~tTnent signal) to capacitor 10 may be superimposed on the 30 signal to be processed or affected by capacitor 10. On the other hand, the signal that is to be processed or affected may be superimposed on the capacitance-controlling DC or lower frequency signal (e.g., one kilohertz). The signal to be processed may be in the CA 0221994~ 1997-10-31 megahertz to gigahertz range. The voltages of the signals may range from microvolts to tens of volts.
By supporting the center plate 14 with spiral dielectric or metallic arms 16, the torque required to rotate the structure is minim~l and easily effected with an electrostatic force of the low frequency or DC signal present on plates 12 and 14. Springs 16 are typically made from the same metal as plate 14. Plates 12 and 14 are made from metal such as nickel with a gold flash on it or copper with a gold flash. Plates 12 and 14 may have a diameter from 200 to 400 microns. The distance between plates 12 and adjacent plate 14 is from-one to two microns. Springs 16 are of the same thickness of plate 0 because they are of the same layer used for plate 14. Springs 16 are about 0.5 micron wide and from one to two microns thick.
The Q of capacitor 10 is in the hundreds. The switching or adjustment speeds of capacitor 10 is the milli.~econd or less range, which is sufficient for nearly all applications of the capacitor.
The capacitance between a set of plates 12 and 14 is in the picofarad range.
Capacitors 10 can be connected in parallel with one another into an array for larger capacitances and/or greater adjustment of capacitance.
Several configurations are possible with structure 10 as shown in figures 2a-2c.For the first one noted above in figure 2a, metallic spiral arms 16 are employed and the center support post 18 provides the connection to one side of the capacitor giving a larger value of capacitance than that of the other configurations. Plates 12 are one electrode and plates 14 are the other electrode of capacitor 10. The electrode connections are shown by wiring 13. For a second configuration shown in figure 2b, dielectric spiral arms 16 are used and the diametrically opposite plates 14 are connected together through a radial metallic ring 38, without an external connection needed. Each pair of plates 12 is an electrode of capacitor 10. The electrode connections are shown by wiring 15. With two variable capacitors in series with each other, the overall capacitance is lower than that of the first configuration. However, the series inductance is lower than that of the first configuration since the conductive path through the spiral of springs 16 is elimin~tefl A third configuration is shown in figure 2c. Each plate of the pairs of adjacent plates 12 are insulated from each other by insulator 19. The diametrically positioned plates 14 are respectively connected to each other. One CA 0221994~ 1997-10-31 electrode is top plates 12 and the other electrode is bottom plates 12. The electrode connections are shown by wiring 17. The electrical characteristics of the capacitor in figure 2c are like those of the capacitor in figure 2b.
Figure 3a shows a digitally tunable capacitor 11 which has bearns 21, 22 and 23 of various widths 39. Capacitor 11 may be a binary tunable capacitor. Each beam has a portion 24 which is naturally positioned several microns apart from the surface of dielectric 25. Beams 21, 22 and 23 are spring-like and are secured to the dielectric at portion 37. A voltage applied between electrode 27 and end 28 of beam 21, end 29 of beam 22, or end-30 of beam 23, causes portion 24 to be moved in contact with the0 surface of dielectric 25 which effectively closes a capacitive switch 31 figure 3b, respectively, for connecting capacitance 32, 33 or 34 between electrodes or terminals 26 and 27. Portion 35 of each beam is a resistor 35 which is in series between t~rmin~l 28, 29 or 30 and capacitive switch 31. Portion 36 of beam 21, 22 or 23 may be a capacitive connection between the beam and electrode 26 or there may be a via in the dielectric 1S with a conductive m~tenPIl such as a metal between portion 36 and electrode 21. On the other hand~ end 28, 29 or 30 may serve as an electrode in lieu of connection 26 of capacitor 32, 33 or 34, respectively, although the series resistor 35 reduces the Q of the capacitor. The Q of such configuration may be increased by replacing resistor 35 with a highly conductive material such as a metal. For either connection configuration, the control signals and capacitively processed signals are combined like those for capacitor 10. If connection 26 is an electrode, then the capacitance between portion 36 and electrode 26 is effectively in series with capacitance 32, 33 or 34. The latter connection configuration results in less capacitance than the former connection configuration noted above.
2s The control signal to lead 28, 29 or 30 may be a low frequency (e.g., 1 KHz) or DC voltage logic signal (having an amplitude of five to twenty volts) to pull portion 24 of the respective beam 28, 29 or 30, against dielectric 25 to close the capacitive switch that exists in effect between portion 24 and a dielectric 25.
Beams 21, 22 or 23 may be 1 to 200 microns wide. Portion 24 may be from 100 to 500 microns long, portion 36 may be from 500 to 1000 microns and resistor 35 may be from 10 to 100 microns long. Portion 24 of beam 21, 22 or 23 may be one to two microns thick. The adjacent beams of the digitally tunable capacitor may have relative CA 0221994~ lss7-l0-3l wO 97/07517 PCT/US96/13576 widths 39 that are a factor of two smaller or larger. For instance. in a binary capacitor 11, width 39 of beam 22 is one-half of the size of width 39 of beam 21, width 39 of beam 23 is one-half of the size of width 39 of beam 22, and so on. A desired capacitance can be selected by logic voltage signals applied across 27 and 28, 29, and/or s 30, and so on. In a six beam capacitor, assuming the largest beam 21 to have an "on"
capacitance value of one unit across terminals 26 and 27 (figures 3a and 3b), capacitor 11 can have a value selected from zero to one-and-31/32 units which can be varied in increments of l/32nd-sized units with least-significant bit value changes of an applied six bit logic signal.
0 Digitally tunable capacitor 11 has lower losses than a solid state capacitor.
Some of the solid state capacitor losses are due to a nonlinearity caused by a change in amplitude of the signal in the device, such as a reverse-biased diode functioning as a solid state capacitor wherein the depletion width is changed to change the capacitance.
The Q of the solid state device having a change of capacitance ratio of 10/1, may be very low such as 1 -3. However, for a solid state eapacitor having a smaller eapaeitanee ehange ratio, the Q ean be as high as 20. A solid state capacitor can tune to a selected value of capacitance within a microsecond, which is a speed not typically needed in most applications. The present digitally tunable capacitor can be tuned to a selected value of capacitance within hundreds of microseconds, which is a sufficient speed for nearly all applications. Further, the digitally tunable capacitor, e.g., the binary tunable capacitor, can have both a Q value greater than 100 and a capacitance change ratio greater than 100.
The process for fabricating digitally tunable capacitor 11 can involve the same and simultaneous process as that for rotary-tunable capacitor 10, on the same substrate.
One may start with a substrate 40 of GaAs, sapphire, quartz or semiin~nl~ting silicon shown in figure 4a. Substrate 40 may be about 625 microns thick. A layer 41 of dielectric composition of silicon dioxide, silicon nitride or other dielectric material at a thickness of 1 -2 microns is formed on substrate 40 in figure 4b. Then layer 41 is 5~ m~k~-l with a photo resist, exposed to a metal layer, and then the photo resist is 30 removed. The photo resist material is a common and commercially available material.
Alternatively, one may deposit the metal on first, mask the metal layer, remove or etch the llnm~cked portions of the metal, and then remove photo resist. The metal layer may CA 0221994~ 1997-10-31 be formed at a thicknes~ from S00 to 4000 angstroms. The metal may be nickel, nichrome, gold-copper, or nickel-copper. Either process results in metal islands 42 of figure 4c. The process is repeated for making a resistor island 43 in figure 4c. Resistor island 43 may be of nichrome, tantalum-nitride, chrome-silicon or other like s composition. The thickness of resistor 43 is about 2000 angstroms. About 2000 angstroms of a dielectric layer is deposited after resistor 43 and portions of some metal islands 42 are masked; or the dielectric is deposited on all exposed surfaces in figure 3c, then much of the area is m~eke~l except resistor 43 and portions of islands 42, and etching is performed in the llnm~cked areas. The m~cking is removed resulting in the o ~ i"i.~g dielectric layers 44 as shown in figure 4d.
Next, a photo resist is applied on a portion of resistor 43, all of dielectric areas or islands 44 except for a portion of one dielectric area 44. A sacrificial layer of two to three microns is deposited on everything covered and not covered by the photo resist layer. The sacrificial layer is composed of an easy to etch material such as a bias sputtered quartz (SiO2) or polymide. The photo resist is removed along with the sacrificial material formed on the photo resist, or the sacrificial layer may be applied, the sacrificial layer masked, and portions of the sacrificial layer then etched away before the removal of the photo resist. This results in islands 45 of sacrificial material on a portion of resistor 43 and on most of dielectric islands or areas 44 as shown in figure 4e.
A photo resist is applied on only certain portions of sacrificial layer areas or islands 45.
A plating base is applied on everything covered and not covered by the photo resist.
The plating base is about 600 angstroms thick and is gold, Lil~iulll-gold or titanium.
The plating base is an adhesion layer for the metal plating to follow. The metal plating is deposited at about 1 to 2 microns thick on the plating base layer. The metal of the 2s plating may be nickel, gold, copper, or nickel-copper. The photo resist along with the plating base and metal plating on the photo resist is removed resulting in areas or islands 46. The removed photo resist also results in spring-like spirals in regions S l of the second largest island at the right of figure 4f. Photo resist is applied on two smaller islands 46, the first and third from the left in figure 4f. Then a second sacrificial layer of 2 to 3 microns is applied. The photo resist is removed resulting in relatively large islands 48 in figure 4g. A photo resist 49 is applied on all of left island 48 and on only a middle portion of right island 48 of figure 4g. A plating base is applied followed by a CA 0221994~ 1997-10-31 wo 97/07517 PCT/US96/13576 plating of a third metal layer on the base. The base and metal are the same as above.
The photo resist is removed along with the metal plate and base on the photo resist, which leaves the metal islands 50 in figure 4h. Finally, sacrificial layers 49, 48 and 45 are removed or etched away, with a solvent such as buffered HF or a commercial 5 substance for removal of the sacrificial m~teri~l . The result is a digitally tuned capacitor 1 1 and rotary tuned capacitor 10.
Claims (12)
1. An micromechanical capacitor comprising:
a first plate formed on a surface of a substrate;
a post formed on the surface of the substrate, situated at the center of said first plate, perpendicular to the surface of the substrate and electrically insulated from said first plate;
a second plate formed around said post and physically separated from said post and said first plate;
a set of support springs connected to said post and to said second plate, for providing rotational support for said second plate at an angle parallel to the surface of the substrate, said second plate rotatable under spring tension relative to said post; and a third plate formed so as to be situated over said second plate, aligned with said first plate, and physically separated from said second plate.
a first plate formed on a surface of a substrate;
a post formed on the surface of the substrate, situated at the center of said first plate, perpendicular to the surface of the substrate and electrically insulated from said first plate;
a second plate formed around said post and physically separated from said post and said first plate;
a set of support springs connected to said post and to said second plate, for providing rotational support for said second plate at an angle parallel to the surface of the substrate, said second plate rotatable under spring tension relative to said post; and a third plate formed so as to be situated over said second plate, aligned with said first plate, and physically separated from said second plate.
2. The capacitor of claim 1 is micromachined on a substrate utilizing integrated circuit fabrication technology.
3. The capacitor of claim 1 wherein:
said first and third plates are electrically connected and form a first electrode of said capacitor;
said second plate forms a second electrode of said capacitor.
said first and third plates are electrically connected and form a first electrode of said capacitor;
said second plate forms a second electrode of said capacitor.
4. The capacitor of claim 3 wherein:
an application of a voltage to the first and second electrodes of said capacitorcauses said second plate to rotate so as to approach an alignment with said first and third plates thereby resulting in a capacitance across the first and second electrodes; and a magnitude of the voltage determines a magnitude of the capacitance.
an application of a voltage to the first and second electrodes of said capacitorcauses said second plate to rotate so as to approach an alignment with said first and third plates thereby resulting in a capacitance across the first and second electrodes; and a magnitude of the voltage determines a magnitude of the capacitance.
5. The capacitor of claim 1 wherein:
said first plate forms a first electrode of said capacitor; and said third plate forms a second electrode of said capacitor.
said first plate forms a first electrode of said capacitor; and said third plate forms a second electrode of said capacitor.
6. A micromechanical capacitor comprising:
a longitudinal plate formed on a first portion of a substrate;
a dielectric layer formed on said longitudinal plate and a second portion of thesubstrate a transversal plate formed on said dielectric layer wherein a first portion of said transversal plate is in contact with said dielectric layer formed on the second portion of the substrate, and a second portion of said transversal plate is positioned over said dielectric layer formed on said longitudinal plate; and wherein:
said longitudinal and transversal plates are electrodes of said capacitor;
and the second portion of said transversal plate is at a distance from said dielectric layer.
a longitudinal plate formed on a first portion of a substrate;
a dielectric layer formed on said longitudinal plate and a second portion of thesubstrate a transversal plate formed on said dielectric layer wherein a first portion of said transversal plate is in contact with said dielectric layer formed on the second portion of the substrate, and a second portion of said transversal plate is positioned over said dielectric layer formed on said longitudinal plate; and wherein:
said longitudinal and transversal plates are electrodes of said capacitor;
and the second portion of said transversal plate is at a distance from said dielectric layer.
7. The capacitor of claim 6 is micromachined on a substrate utilizing integrated circuit fabrication technology.
8. The capacitor of claim 6 wherein an application of a voltage across said longitudinal and transversal plates causes said transversal plate to move so as to be in contact with said dielectric layer thereby changing the capacitance of said capacitor from a negligible value to a significant value.
9. A micromechanical capacitor comprising:
a longitudinal plate formed on a first portion of a substrate;
a dielectric layer formed on said longitudinal plate and on a second portion of the substrate;
a plurality of transversal plates formed on said dielectric layer wherein a first portion of each of said plurality of transversal plates is in contact with said dielectric layer situated on the second portion of the substrate, and a second portion of each plate of said plurality of transversal plates is positioned over said dielectric layer formed on said longitudinal plate;
and wherein:
said longitudinal plate and each plate of said plurality of transversal plates are electrodes of said micromechanical capacitor; and the second portion of each plate of said plurality of transversal plates is at a distance from said dielectric layer.
a longitudinal plate formed on a first portion of a substrate;
a dielectric layer formed on said longitudinal plate and on a second portion of the substrate;
a plurality of transversal plates formed on said dielectric layer wherein a first portion of each of said plurality of transversal plates is in contact with said dielectric layer situated on the second portion of the substrate, and a second portion of each plate of said plurality of transversal plates is positioned over said dielectric layer formed on said longitudinal plate;
and wherein:
said longitudinal plate and each plate of said plurality of transversal plates are electrodes of said micromechanical capacitor; and the second portion of each plate of said plurality of transversal plates is at a distance from said dielectric layer.
10. The capacitor of claim 9 wherein an application of a voltage across said longitudinal plate and one or more plates of said plurality of transversal plates causes the one or more plates, respectively, of said plurality of transversal plates, to move so as to be in contact with said dielectric layer thereby changing the capacitance of said capacitor from a negligible value to a selected significant value.
11. A micromechanical capacitor comprising:
a substrate;
a first longitudinal plate formed on said substrate;
a second longitudinal plate formed on said substrate;
a dielectric layer formed on said first and second longitudinal plates; and at least one transversal plate having a first portion formed on said dielectric layer and having a second portion; and wherein:
the first portion of said at least one transversal plate is in contact with saiddielectric layer formed on said first longitudinal plate; and the second portion of said at least one transversal plate is situated at a distance from said dielectric layer formed on said second longitudinal plate.
a substrate;
a first longitudinal plate formed on said substrate;
a second longitudinal plate formed on said substrate;
a dielectric layer formed on said first and second longitudinal plates; and at least one transversal plate having a first portion formed on said dielectric layer and having a second portion; and wherein:
the first portion of said at least one transversal plate is in contact with saiddielectric layer formed on said first longitudinal plate; and the second portion of said at least one transversal plate is situated at a distance from said dielectric layer formed on said second longitudinal plate.
12. The capacitor of claim 11 wherein an application of a voltage from a source connected to said second longitudinal plate and said at least one transversal plate, causes the second portion of said at least one transversal plate to move so as to be in contact with said dielectric layer formed on said second longitudinal plate, thereby changing the capacitance across said first and second longitudinal plates from a negligible value to a selected significant value.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US08/517,221 | 1995-08-21 | ||
| US08/517,221 US5696662A (en) | 1995-08-21 | 1995-08-21 | Electrostatically operated micromechanical capacitor |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2219945A1 true CA2219945A1 (en) | 1997-02-27 |
Family
ID=24058889
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002219945A Abandoned CA2219945A1 (en) | 1995-08-21 | 1996-08-20 | Electrostatically operated, micromechanical capacitor |
Country Status (6)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US5696662A (en) |
| EP (2) | EP0932171B1 (en) |
| JP (2) | JP3808899B2 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2219945A1 (en) |
| DE (2) | DE69607011T2 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO1997007517A2 (en) |
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-
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- 1996-08-20 EP EP99201127A patent/EP0932171B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1996-08-20 CA CA002219945A patent/CA2219945A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 1996-08-20 DE DE69607011T patent/DE69607011T2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1996-08-20 JP JP50957397A patent/JP3808899B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1996-08-20 DE DE69633682T patent/DE69633682T2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1996-08-20 EP EP96933735A patent/EP0846328B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1996-08-20 WO PCT/US1996/013576 patent/WO1997007517A2/en active IP Right Grant
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| US10332687B2 (en) | 2017-10-23 | 2019-06-25 | Blackberry Limited | Tunable coplanar capacitor with vertical tuning and lateral RF path and methods for manufacturing thereof |
| US10497774B2 (en) | 2017-10-23 | 2019-12-03 | Blackberry Limited | Small-gap coplanar tunable capacitors and methods for manufacturing thereof |
| US10770540B2 (en) | 2017-10-23 | 2020-09-08 | Nxp Usa, Inc. | Small-gap coplanar tunable capacitors and methods for manufacturing thereof |
| US10825612B2 (en) | 2017-10-23 | 2020-11-03 | Nxp Usa, Inc. | Tunable coplanar capacitor with vertical tuning and lateral RF path and methods for manufacturing thereof |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| JP3808899B2 (en) | 2006-08-16 |
| DE69633682D1 (en) | 2004-11-25 |
| EP0932171B1 (en) | 2004-10-20 |
| DE69607011T2 (en) | 2000-09-14 |
| DE69607011D1 (en) | 2000-04-13 |
| EP0846328B1 (en) | 2000-03-08 |
| US5696662A (en) | 1997-12-09 |
| WO1997007517A3 (en) | 1997-07-31 |
| EP0932171A2 (en) | 1999-07-28 |
| EP0932171A3 (en) | 1999-08-04 |
| JPH11513193A (en) | 1999-11-09 |
| EP0846328A2 (en) | 1998-06-10 |
| DE69633682T2 (en) | 2006-02-09 |
| WO1997007517A2 (en) | 1997-02-27 |
| JP2006128721A (en) | 2006-05-18 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| FZDE | Discontinued |