U.S. patent application number 09/802260 was filed with the patent office on 2001-08-30 for microelectromechanical valves including single crystalline material components.
Invention is credited to Dhuler, Vijayakumar R., Walters, Mark David.
Application Number | 20010017358 09/802260 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 23533636 |
Filed Date | 2001-08-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010017358 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Dhuler, Vijayakumar R. ; et
al. |
August 30, 2001 |
Microelectromechanical valves including single crystalline material
components
Abstract
A microelectromechanical (MEMS) device is provided that includes
a microelectronic substrate and a thermally actuated microactuator
and associated components disposed on the substrate and formed as a
unitary structure from a single crystalline material, wherein the
associated components are actuated by the microactuator upon
thermal actuation thereof. For example, the MEMS device may be a
valve. As such, the valve may include at least one valve plate that
is controllably brought into engagement with at least one valve
opening in the microelectronic substrate by selective actuation of
the microactuator. While the MEMS device can include various
microactuators, the microactuator advantageously includes a pair of
spaced apart supports disposed on the substrate and at least one
arched beam extending therebetween. By heating the at least one
arched beam of the microactuator, the arched beams will further
arch such that the microactuator moves between a closed position in
which the valve plate sealingly engages the valve opening and an
open position in which the valve plate is at least partly
disengaged from and does not seal the valve opening. The
microactuator may further include metallization traces on distal
portions of the arched beams to constrain the thermally actuated
regions of arched beams to medial portions thereof. The valve may
also include a latch for maintaining the valve plate in a desired
position without requiring continuous energy input to the
microactuator. An advantageous method for fabricating a MEMS valve
having unitary structure single crystalline components is also
provided.
Inventors: |
Dhuler, Vijayakumar R.;
(Raleigh, NC) ; Walters, Mark David; (Durham,
NC) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MYERS BIGEL SIBLEY & SAJOVEC
PO BOX 37428
RALEIGH
NC
27627
US
|
Family ID: |
23533636 |
Appl. No.: |
09/802260 |
Filed: |
March 8, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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09802260 |
Mar 8, 2001 |
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09388321 |
Sep 1, 1999 |
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6255757 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
251/129.01 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B81B 2203/0109 20130101;
B81B 3/0051 20130101; F16K 99/0011 20130101; B81B 2201/054
20130101; B81C 2203/036 20130101; H01H 2001/0042 20130101; B81B
2201/031 20130101; F16K 99/0009 20130101; B81C 2203/031 20130101;
F16K 99/0007 20130101; F16K 2099/008 20130101; F16K 2099/0074
20130101; F15C 5/00 20130101; F16K 99/0001 20130101; F16K 99/0036
20130101; B81B 2203/051 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
251/129.01 |
International
Class: |
F16K 031/02 |
Claims
That which is claimed:
1. A microelectromechanical valve comprising: a microelectronic
substrate defining at least one opening therethrough; a thermally
actuated microactuator disposed upon the substrate and comprised of
a single crystalline material; and at least one valve plate
comprised of a single crystalline material and having at least one
valve seat, the at least one valve plate being operably engaged
with the microactuator and adapted to move the at least one valve
seat between a disengaged open position and an engaged closed
position with respect to the at least one opening upon thermal
actuation of the microactuator.
2. A microelectromechanical valve according to claim 1 wherein the
micro actuator further comprises: spaced apart supports disposed on
the substrate; and at least one arched beam extending between the
spaced apart supports and operably engaged with the at least one
valve plate.
3. A microelectromechanical valve according to claim 2 wherein the
microactuator further comprises means for heating the at least one
arched beam to cause further arching thereof such that the valve
seat moves between a first position in which the valve seat is
engaged with the at least one opening and closes the valve and a
second position in which the valve seat is disengaged from the at
least one opening and opens the valve.
4. A microelectromechanical valve according to claim 2 wherein the
microactuator further comprises an actuator member for coupling the
plurality of arched beams together.
5. A microelectromechanical valve according to claim 1 wherein the
valve plate is disposed in a normally closed position with respect
to the opening such that thermal actuation of the microactuator
displaces the valve plate and causes the valve seat to disengage
and open the opening.
6. A microelectromechanical valve according to claim 1 wherein the
valve plate is disposed in a normally open position with respect to
the opening such that thermal actuation of the microactuator
displaces the valve plate and causes the valve seat to engage and
close the opening.
7. A microelectromechanical valve according to claim 1 wherein the
microactuator is thermally actuated by internal heating
thereof.
8. A microelectromechanical valve according to claim 1 wherein the
microactuator is thermally actuated by external heating
thereof.
9. A microelectromechanical valve according to claim I wherein the
microactuator is comprised of single crystalline silicon .
10. A microelectromechanical valve according to claim 1 wherein the
at least one valve plate is comprised of single crystalline
silicon.
11. A microelectromechanical valve according to claim 1 further
comprising at least one mechanical stop disposed adjacent the valve
plate for providing an out-of-plane restraint for the valve plate
with respect to the substrate.
12. A microelectromechanical valve according to claim 1 wherein the
at least one valve seat is comprised of at least one of a single
crystalline silicon, silicon nitride, and polysilicon.
13. A microelectromechanical valve according to claim 1 further
including at least one latch disposed on the substrate and capable
of interacting with the valve plate following a predetermined
displacement thereof due to thermal actuation of the microactuator
such that the valve plate may be restrained in a predetermined
position with respect to the opening.
14. A microelectromechanical valve according to claim 13 wherein
the latch is at least one of a thermally actuated latch and an
electrostatically actuated latch.
15. A method of fabricating a microelectromechanical valve
comprising: providing a microelectronic substrate that defines at
least one opening therethrough; bonding a first wafer comprised of
a single crystalline material upon the microelectronic substrate;
and forming a thermally actuated microactuator and at least one
valve plate from the first wafer comprised of the single
crystalline material such that the microactuator is adapted to
operably engage the valve plate and such that portions of the
microactuator and the valve plate are movable relative to the
microelectronic substrate, the valve plate further having at least
one valve seat movable between a disengaged open position and an
engaged closed position with respect to the at least one opening
defined by the microelectronic substrate in response to thermal
actuation of the microactuator.
16. A method according to claim 15 wherein the step of providing a
microelectronic substrate farther comprises the steps of depositing
a photoresist layer upon the microelectronic substrate, patterning
the photoresist layer to open at least one window to the
microelectronic substrate corresponding to at least one valve
opening, and partially etching the microelectronic substrate within
the window defined by the photoresist layer to thereby partially
form the valve opening.
17. A method according to claim 16 further including the step of
oxidizing the microelectronic substrate following the partial
etching of the microelectronic substrate to form a thermal oxide
layer thereon.
18. A method according to claim 17 further including the step of
etching the thermal oxide layer and the microelectronic substrate
about the partially formed valve opening to complete the formation
of the valve opening.
19. A method according to claim 15 further including the step of
forming at least one valve seat on the first wafer prior to the
bonding step.
20. A method according to claim 15 further including the step of at
least partially forming a microactuator and at least one valve
plate on the first wafer prior to the bonding step.
21. A method according to claim 19 wherein the bonding step further
comprises fusion bonding the first wafer to the microelectronic
substrate such that the at least one valve seat is adjacent to the
microelectronic substrate.
22. A method according to claim 15 further including the step of
polishing the first wafer to a desired thickness following the
bonding step.
23. A method according to claim 15 further including the step of
forming at least one mechanical stop disposed adjacent the valve
plate for providing an out-of-plane restraint for the valve plate
with respect to the substrate following the bonding step.
24. A method according to claim 15 wherein the step of forming a
thermally actuated microactuator and a valve plate further
comprises the steps of depositing a photoresist layer upon the
first wafer, patterning the photoresist such that the photoresist
which remains defines the microactuator and at least one valve
plate operably engaged therewith, and etching the first wafer to
form the microactuator and said at least one valve plate.
25. A method according to claim 15 further including the step of
forming at least one latch from the first wafer following the
bonding step, the latch being at least one of a thermally actuated
latch and an electrostatically actuated latch and being capable of
interacting with the valve plate following a predetermined
displacement thereof due to thermal actuation of the microactuator
to restrain the valve plate in a predetermined position with
respect to the opening.
26. A method according to claim 15 further including the step of
forming a protective cover from a second wafer such that the
protective cover is adapted to cover and protect the micro actuator
while providing an out-of-plane mechanical stop therefor.
27. A method according to claim 26 further including that step of
bonding the second wafer upon the first wafer so as to at least
partially overlie the microactuator following the microactuator
forming step.
28. A method according to claim 15 further including the step of
selectively doping the first wafer prior to the microactuator
forming step to alter the conductivity of predetermined portions of
the microactuator.
29. A micro actuator comprising: a microelectronic substrate;
spaced apart supports disposed upon said microelectronic substrate;
at least one arched beam formed of a semiconductor material and
extending between said spaced apart supports, the arched beam
having opposed distal portions proximate the respective supports
and a medial portion extending between the distal portions; and a
metal layer disposed on the distal portions of said at least one
arched beam, wherein the medial portion of the arched beam is
substantially free of said metal such that an electrical current
passing between said supports preferentially heats the medial
portion of the arched beam and causes further arching thereof.
30. A microactuator according to claim 29 further including an
actuator member operably coupled to said at least one arched beam
and extending outwardly therefrom.
31. A microactuator according to claim 29 wherein said at least one
arched beam is comprised of single crystalline silicon.
32. A microactuator according to claim 29 wherein the evaporated
metal is comprised of at least one of nickel, gold, and platinum.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to microelectromechanical
devices and associated fabrication methods and, more particularly,
to microelectromechanical valves having single crystalline
components and an associated fabrication method.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Microelectromechanical structures (EMS) and other
microengineered devices are presently being developed for a wide
variety of applications in view of the size, cost and reliability
advantages provided by these devices. Many different varieties of
MEMS devices have been created, including microgears, micromotors,
and other micromachined devices that are capable of motion or
applying force. These MEMS devices can be employed in a variety of
applications including hydraulic applications in which MEMS pumps
or valves are utilized, optical applications which include MEMS
light valves and shutters, and electrical applications which
include MEMS relays.
[0003] MEMS devices have relied upon various techniques to provide
the force necessary to cause the desired motion within these
microstructures. For example, controlled thermal expansion of an
actuator or other MEMS component has been used to actuate MEMS
devices. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,909,078 and U.S. patent
application Ser. Nos. 08/936,598 and 08/965,277, all assigned to
MCNC, also the assignee of the present invention, which describe
MEMS devices having thermally actuated microactuators, the contents
of which are incorporated herein by reference.
[0004] An example of a thermally actuated microactuator for a MEMS
device comprises one or more arched beams extending between a pair
of spaced apart supports. Thermal actuation of the microactuator
causes further arching of the arched beams which results in useable
mechanical force and displacement. The arched beams are generally
formed from nickel using a high aspect ratio lithography technique
which produces arched beams with aspect ratios up to 5:1. Although
formed with high aspect ratio lithography, the actual nickel arched
beams have rather modest aspect ratios and may therefore have less
out-of-plane stiffness and be less robust than desired in some
instances. Further, the lithography technique used to form nickel
arched beams may result in the arched beams being spaced fairly far
apart, thereby increasing the power required to heat the arched
beams by limiting the amount that adjacent arched beams heat one
another. In addition, the resulting microactuator may have a larger
footprint than desired as a result of the spacing of the arched
beams. Thus, there exists a need for arched beams having higher
aspect ratios in order to increase the out-of-plane stiffness and
the robustness of microactuators for MEMS devices. In addition,
there is a desire for microactuators having more closely spaced
arched beams to enable more efficient heating and a reduced
size.
[0005] Nickel microactuators are typically heated indirectly, such
as via a polysilicon heater disposed adjacent and underneath the
actuator, since direct heating of the nickel structure (such as by
passing a current therethrough) is inefficient due to the low
resistivity of nickel. However, indirect heating of the
microactuator of a MEMS device results in inefficiencies since not
all heat is transferred to the microactuator due to the necessary
spacing between the microactuator and the heater which causes some
of the heat generated by the heater to be lost to the
surroundings.
[0006] Nickel does have a relatively large coefficient of thermal
expansion that facilitates expansion of the arched beams. However,
significant energy must still be supplied to generate the heat
necessary to cause the desired arching of the nickel arched beams
due to the density thereof. As such, although MEMS devices having
microactuators with nickel arched beams provide a significant
advance over prior actuation techniques, it would still be
desirable to develop MEMS devices having microactuators that could
be thermally actuated in a more efficient manner in order to limit
the requisite input power requirements.
[0007] Thermally actuated MEMS valve structures having nickel
arched beam actuators typically also have valve plates comprised of
nickel. Since the limited aspect ratios attainable with nickel
results in structures similarly limited in out-of-plane stiffness
and robustness, MEMS valves having nickel valve plates are
generally restricted to lower pressure fluid systems in order for
the valve to operate with acceptable sealing. While out-of-plane
stops for the valve plates may be helpful in increasing the
pressure capabilities of a MEMS valve, stops are typically
difficult to construct using conventional semiconductor processing
techniques for MEMS valves having nickel valve plates. Thus, there
exists a further need for more robust MEMS valves with valve plates
having increased out-of-plane stiffness and thus for application in
higher pressure fluid systems. In addition, it would be desirable
for the valve construction to facilitate the formation of
out-of-plane stops using conventional semiconductor processing
techniques, wherein the stops would contribute to the stability and
sealing ability of the valve plate.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The above and other needs are met by the present invention
which, in one embodiment, provides a microelectromechanical (MEMS)
valve comprising a microelectronic substrate defining at least one
opening therethrough, a thermally actuated microactuator disposed
thereon and comprised of a single crystalline material, such as
silicon, and at least one valve plate comprised of a single
crystalline material and having at least one valve seat. The valve
plate is operably engaged with the microactuator and adapted to
move the valve seat between a disengaged open position and an
engaged closed position with respect to the corresponding opening
in the microelectronic substrate. More particularly, thermal
actuation of the microactuator causes the valve seat to be engaged
and/or disengaged with the opening in the substrate as a result of
the operable contact between the valve plate and the
microactuator.
[0009] The microactuator preferably comprises a pair of spaced
apart supports disposed on the substrate and at least one arched
beam extending therebetween. The microactuator may also include an
actuator member that is operably coupled to the at least one arched
beam and which extends outwardly therefrom. The microactuator
further includes means for heating the at least one arched beam to
cause further arching such that the actuator member moves the valve
plate between a closed position and an open position with respect
to the opening in the substrate. In a closed position, the valve
plate is positioned with the valve seat adjacent to the opening in
the microelectronic substrate such that the valve seat engages and
seals the opening. In an open position, the valve seat is at least
partially disengaged from the opening such that the opening is not
sealed. Accordingly, the MEMS valve of the present invention may be
provided in a normally-closed or a normally-open configuration.
Further, the MEMS valve may comprise at least one mechanical stop
disposed adjacent the valve plate for providing an out-of-plane
restraint for the valve plate, as well as facilitating alignment
thereof, with respect to the substrate. In addition, the MEMS valve
may also comprise at least one latch disposed on the substrate and
capable of interacting with the valve plate, following a
predetermined displacement thereof due to thermal actuation of the
microactuator, such that the valve plate may be restrained in a
predetermined position with respect to the opening without
requiring continuous actuation of the microactuator. In some
embodiments, the latch may be, for example, thermally actuated or
electrostatically actuated.
[0010] As will be apparent, each arched beam of the microactuator
is comprised of a semiconductor material and has opposed distal
portions proximate the respective supports and a medial portion
extending between the distal portions. According to one preferred
embodiment, a metal layer is disposed on the distal portions of the
arched beam, leaving the medial portion of the arched beam
substantially free of the metal. Accordingly, an electrical current
passing between the supports preferentially heats the medial
portion of the arched beam and causes further arching thereof.
[0011] Another aspect of the present invention comprises the
associated method to form a microelectromechanical valve having
single crystalline components. According to one preferred method, a
microelectronic substrate is initially formed that defines at least
one opening therethrough comprising the valve opening. A first
wafer comprised of a single crystalline material then has at least
one valve seat formed thereon, either from the same single
crystalline material or another suitable material, before being
bonded upon a surface of the substrate such that the valve seat is
adjacent the substrate. Thereafter, the first wafer is polished to
a desired thickness. At least one mechanical stop is then formed
adjacent the valve plate for providing an out-of-plane restraint
for the valve plate, as well as facilitating alignment thereof,
with respect to the substrate. At least one thermally actuated
microactuator and at least one valve plate are then formed from the
first wafer such that portions of the microactuator and the valve
plate are moveable relative to the microelectronic substrate and
such that the microactuator is operably engaged with the valve
plate. In some embodiments, the microactuator and the valve plate
may be at least partially formed from the first wafer prior to the
first wafer being bonded to the substrate. Accordingly, thermal
actuation of the microactuator causes the microactuator to move the
valve plate, and thus the valve seat, between an open position and
a closed position with respect to the opening defined by the
microelectronic substrate to thereby form the valve. Further, at
least one latch may also be formed on the substrate that is capable
of interacting with the valve plate, following a predetermined
displacement thereof due to thermal actuation of the microactuator,
such that the valve plate may be restrained in a predetermined
position with respect to the opening.
[0012] Thus, a MEMS valve can be formed in accordance with the
present invention that includes arched beams and valve plates
formed of a single crystalline silicon. Fabricating the arched
beams and the valve plates from single crystalline silicon allows
these components to be formed with aspect ratios of up to at least
10:1, particularly by using a deep reactive ion etching process.
The higher aspect ratios of the arched beams and the valve plates
increases their out-of-plane stiffness and constructs a more robust
device having greater strength and stiffness. For example, a higher
aspect ratio valve plate may accordingly allow operation of a MEMS
valve in a higher pressure fluid system. The fabrication techniques
of the present invention also permits the arched beams and other
components to be more closely spaced. The closer spacing between
adjacent silicon arched beams, for example, results in more
effective transfer of heat between adjacent arched beams. In
addition, the single crystalline silicon microactuator can be
directly heated, such as by passing a current therethrough. As will
be apparent, direct heating of the microactuator is generally more
efficient than indirect heating. Further, although the coefficient
of thermal expansion of silicon is less than that of metals, such
as nickel, silicon is significantly less dense than nickel such
that for a given amount of power, a silicon arched beam can
generally be heated more, and therefore arch more, than a
corresponding nickel arched beam. Therefore, the MEMS valve of the
present invention can have greater out-of-plane stiffness, can be
more robust, and the thermally actuated microactuators thereof can
be more efficiently and controllably heated than conventional MEMS
microactuators having metallic arched beams.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] Some of the advantages of the present invention having been
stated, others will appear as the description proceeds, when
considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which are
not necessarily drawn to scale, in which:
[0014] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a representative MEMS valve in
accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
[0015] FIGS. 2A-2J are cross-sectional views taken along line 2-2
in FIG. 1 illustrating a sequence of operations performed during
the fabrication of a MEMS valve according to an embodiment of the
present invention.
[0016] FIGS. 3A-3D are cross-sectional views taken along line 3-3
in FIG. 1 illustrating a sequence of operations performed during
the fabrication of a MEMS valve according to an embodiment of the
present invention.
[0017] FIGS. 4A-4C are plan and cross-sectional views illustrating
a MEMS valve employing a protective cover over the MEMS actuator
according to another embodiment of the present invention.
[0018] FIG. 5 is a plan view of a MEMS actuator according to still
another embodiment of the present invention.
[0019] FIG. 6 is a plan view of a preferred embodiment of a MEMS
valve according to the present invention and including a thermal
latch.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0020] The present invention now will be described more fully
hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which
preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention
may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be
construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather,
these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be
thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the
invention to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like
elements throughout.
[0021] FIG. 1 discloses an embodiment of a MBMS device and, in
particular, a valve, indicated generally by the numeral 10, which
includes the features of the present invention. The valve 10
generally comprises at least one microactuator 20 and at least one
valve plate 30 for engaging corresponding valve openings 40 defined
by an adjacent microelectronic substrate 50. While the
microelectronic substrate 50 can be formed of a variety of
materials, the substrate 50 preferably comprises a wafer of a
microelectronic material, such as single crystalline silicon.
Although the microactuator 20 can have various forms, the
microactuator 20 of one advantageous embodiment includes a pair of
spaced apart supports 22 affixed to the substrate 50 and at least
one and, more preferably, a number of arched beams 24 extending
between the spaced apart supports 22. According to the present
invention, the supports 22, the arched beams 24, and the at least
one valve plate 30 are preferably formed of a single crystalline
material, such as single crystal silicon, and, more preferably, as
a unitary structure formed from the same single crystalline silicon
wafer.
[0022] According to one advantageous aspect of the present
invention, the arched beams 24 are comprised of single crystalline
silicon which has a relatively low coefficient of thermal expansion
of 2.5.times.10.sup.-6/.degree.K, which is about one-fifth that of
nickel. Surprisingly, however, silicon arched beams generally
require less energy to be heated to the same temperature compared
to nickel arched beams of the same size and shape. The reduction in
energy required to heat the silicon arched beams results, in part,
from the density of silicon of 2.33 g/cm.sup.3 that is only about
one-fourth that of nickel. In addition, silicon arched beams can be
directly heated, thus providing more efficient heating than the
indirect heating typically used for nickel arched beams.
[0023] Another advantage of silicon arched beams 24 is that a high
aspect ratio lithography process (which currently limits the aspect
ratio of nickel arched beams to 5:1) is not required. Instead, a
deep reactive ion etching process is used in the formation of
silicon arched beams, wherein this etching process can routinely
produce aspect ratios of 10:1. The high aspect ratios for silicon
arched beams increases the out-of-plane stiffness of the arched
beams and contributes to more robust devices such as, for example,
valves capable of operating at relatively higher pressures. In
addition, the deep reactive ion etching process permits the arched
beams to be more closely spaced than nickel arched beams, thus
increasing the energy efficiency of the microactuator 20 due to
improved heat transfer between adjacent silicon arched beams. For
example, the silicon arched beams of the MEMS valve 10 of the
present invention having an aspect ratio of 10:1 can have a
center-to-center spacing of 10 .mu.m and a gap between adjacent
arched beams of 5 .mu.m. For the foregoing reasons, a microactuator
having silicon arched beams is therefore much more efficiently
heated than conventional microactuators with nickel arched beams
since the beams may be placed in closer proximity to adjacent
beams. For instance, in one embodiment, a 40% reduction in the
energy required to heat the silicon arched beams is obtained by
reducing the configuration of silicon arched beams having a 10:1
aspect ratio from a center-to-center spacing of 22 .mu.m with a 12
.mu.m gap between adjacent arched beams to a center-to-center
spacing of 10 .mu.m with a 5 .mu.m gap between adjacent arched
beams.
[0024] The microactuator 20 also includes means for heating the
arched beams 24. In one embodiment of the present invention, the
microactuator 20 is thermally actuated by direct heating of the
arched beams 24. For example, a potential difference can be applied
between electrodes disposed upon the spaced apart supports 22 which
causes a current to flow through the arched beams 24. The
resistivity of the arched beams 24 causes heat to be produced in
the arched beams 24 due to the current, thereby providing the
necessary thermal actuation. Alternatively, the arched beams 24 can
be indirectly heated to produce the thermal actuation of the
microactuator 20 such as, for example, by a change in the ambient
temperature about the arched beams 24 or by an external polysilicon
heater disposed adjacent thereto, As shown in FIG. 1, the arched
beams 24 are arched in a direction which preferably extends
parallel to the substrate 50 in the desired or predetermined
direction of motion of the microactuator 20. Thus, heating of the
arched beams 24 causes further arching thereof in the predetermined
direction, thereby resulting in useable displacement and mechanical
force.
[0025] The microactuator 20 may also include a lengthwise extending
actuator member 26 coupled to the arched beams 24 and extending
outwardly therefrom. The actuator member 26 therefore serves as a
coupler to mechanically couple a plurality of arched beams 24
between the spaced apart supports 22 as shown in FIG. 1. As such,
further arching of the arched beams 24 in the predetermined
direction displaces the actuator member 26 in the same
predetermined direction. By mechanically coupling multiple arched
beams 24 with the actuator member 26, the resulting microactuator
20 provides a higher degree of controlled displacement and force
than would be provided by a single arched beam.
[0026] As further shown in FIG. 1, the at least one microactuator
20 of the present invention is preferably designed such that at
least one valve plate 30 is operably engaged with the at least one
microactuator 20, such as through actuator member 26, and actuated
thereby. As also shown, the at least one microactuator 20 can
include, for example, two microactuators 28 and 29 wherein one
microactuator 28 is disposed on one side of the valve plate 30 and
extends in a predetermined direction away from the valve plate 30
(in a "pull" configuration), while the other microactuator 29 is
disposed on the opposite side of the valve plate 30 and extends in
the same predetermined direction toward the valve plate 30 (in a
"push" configuration). Both microactuators 28 and 29 thereby
cooperate to control the displacement of the valve plate 30.
Although the valve plate 30 can be formed in different manners,
configurations, and shapes, the valve plate 30 of the illustrated
embodiment includes arms 30a extending perpendicularly from the
actuator member 26 corresponding to, and adapted to cover, adjacent
elongated valve openings 40. While the supports 22 are affixed to
the substrate 50, the valve plate 30 is formed integrally with the
actuator member 26 and the arched beams 24 and can move relative to
the substrate 50. Thus, the valve plate 30 is also formed of a
single crystalline material, such as single crystalline
silicon.
[0027] In operation, thermal actuation of the microactuators 28 and
29 displaces the actuator member 26 in the predetermined direction
(the direction of arch of the arched beams 24), thereby also
displacing the valve plate 30. Therefore, with respect to a
normally-open valve 10, the valve plate 30, with the microactuators
28 and 29 in a nonactuated or ambient state, may be spaced apart
from or incompletely cover the corresponding valve openings 40 in
the microelectronic substrate 50. Upon thermal actuation of the
microactuators 28 and 29, such as by direct heating of the arched
beams 24, however, the valve plate 30 is preferably urged into
engagement with the corresponding valve openings 40 in the
microelectronic substrate 50. For proper sealing by the valve 10,
the faces of the valve plates 30 adjacent the valve holes 40
preferably include valve seats (not shown in FIG. 1) for sealing
the valve holes 40 when the valve plate 30 is disposed thereover.
As such, the MEMS device of this embodiment may serve as a valve 10
by controllably opening and closing valve openings 40 through the
microelectronic substrate 50 that forms the body of the valve 10.
By appropriately connecting the valve 10 into a hydraulic system,
the fluid flow therein can be controlled by selectively thermally
actuating the microactuators 28 and 29. Further, a valve 10
according to the present invention may be formed in a number of
different configurations, for example, as a normally-open valve, a
normally-closed valve, or a combination thereof where some valve
holes 40 may be opened by thermally actuating the microactuators 28
and 29, while other valve holes 40 are thereby closed. With respect
to a normally-closed valve, the valve in an ambient state provides
that the valve plate 30 is engaged with and seals the valve holes
40. Upon thermal actuation of the microactuators 28 and 29, the
valve enters an actuated state where the arched beams 24 arch and
displace the valve plate 30 such that the arms 30a are disengaged
from the valve holes 40, thereby opening the valve holes 40.
[0028] As described below, the microactuators 28 and 29 and the
valve plate 30 are typically formed on a substrate 50 which may be
comprised of a variety of materials, such as silicon, glass, or
quartz. Although not necessary for the practice of the invention,
the microactuators 28 and 29 and the valve plate 30 are preferably
formed as a unitary structure from a single crystalline material,
such as silicon, that is provided in the form of a wafer. The
microactuators 28 and 29 and the valve plate 30 are typically
separated from the substrate 50 by an oxide layer and/or other
intermediate layers (not shown) deposited on the substrate 50. The
intermediate oxide layer is typically selectively removed such that
portions remain, for example under the supports 22, but maybe not
under the arched beams 24 or the actuator member 26, or the valve
plate 30 to facilitate movement of these components with respect to
the substrate 50.
[0029] With a separate layer/layers disposed between the substrate
50 and the microactuators 28 and 29/valve plate 30 structure, a gap
may exist between the valve plate 30 and the valve holes 40 since
the supports 22 are separated from the substrate 50 by the
intermediate layer(s). As such, the valve 10 must be configured
such that the valve plate 30 is capable of sealingly engaging the
valve holes 40. For example, additional surface features on the
surface of the substrate 50 surrounding the valve holes 40, such as
a part of the intermediate layer, may be necessary to provide
proper seating between the holes 40 and the valve plate 30. Also,
according to a particularly advantageous embodiment of the present
invention, the side of the valve plate 30 adjacent to the substrate
50 may have at least one valve seat (not shown) formed thereon to
provide effective sealing between the valve plate 30 and the
substrate 50 about the valve holes 40. The valve seat may be
comprised of, for example, the same single crystalline silicon as
the valve plate 30 or as a separate structure formed of, for
instance, silicon nitride or polysilicon.
[0030] Since the valve plate 30 of the MEMS valve 10 according to
the present invention must be movable with respect to the substrate
50, its only connections to the substrate 50 are, for example, the
spaced apart supports 22 anchoring the arched beams 24 to the
substrate 50. As such, this general structural characteristic of
the microactuators 28 and 29 and the valve plate 30 could normally
limit the operational pressure of the MEMS valve 10. However, the
higher aspect ratio structures attainable through the use of, for
instance, single crystalline silicon components formed with deep
reactive ion etching, enhances the out-of-plane stiffness of the
components and allows the MEMS valve 10 to operate at relatively
higher pressures. In addition, the MEMS valve 10 according to an
advantageous embodiment of the present invention may further
include a series of out-of-plane mechanical stops 45 disposed
adjacent the valve plate 30 and operably connected to the substrate
50. Preferably, the stops 45 are configured to have a tab portion
that overlaps at least a portion of the valve plate so as to
restrain out-of-plane deflection of the valve plate 30, as well as
to facilitate the alignment thereof, with respect to the substrate
50. The stops 45 may thus further enhance the operational pressure
limit of the MEMS valve 10.
[0031] In accordance with the present invention, several associated
methods may be used to produce the MEMS device, such as a valve 10,
having single crystalline components. As shown in FIG. 2A and
according to one advantageous method, a microelectronic substrate
50 is first fabricated with at least one wet etched or dry etched
trench 52 for thermal isolation of the arched beams 24 of the
microactuator 20 and with at least one partial valve opening 42.
The substrate 50 is then oxidized such that an insulating oxide
layer 54 is formed thereon as shown in FIG. 2B. Thereafter, as
shown in FIG. 2C, the oxide layer 54 is selectively removed, for
example, by wet etching, and the substrate 50 further etched to
form the valve opening(s) 40.
[0032] As shown in FIG. 2D, a first wafer 31 comprised of a single
crystalline material, such as silicon, is then patterned to define
at least one valve seat 36 corresponding to the valve openings 40
in the microelectronic substrate 50. At this point, the first wafer
31 may also be patterned and at least partially etched to define
the at least one microactuator 20 and valve plate 30 structures,
although the final microactuator 20 and valve plate 30 structures
are typically formed after bonding the first wafer 31 to the
substrate 50. Further, the first wafer 31 could also be selectively
doped at this point in order to produce the desired conductivity
characteristics such as, for example, about the arched beams 24.
Once the microelectronic substrate 50 and the first wafer 31 have
been prepared, the two wafers are bonded together as shown in FIG.
2E, for example, by fusion bonding. The two wafers are bonded
together such that the at least one valve plate 30 is capable of
engagement with the valve openings 40 via the valve seats 36 in
either a normally-open or a normally-closed condition, as desired.
Following the bonding process, the first wafer 31 is typically
polished to a desired thickness as shown in FIG. 2F.
[0033] As shown in FIG. 2G, the first wafer 31 may then be oxidized
to form an oxidation layer 38 thereon after the formation of holes
45a therein corresponding to the locations of the stops 45. The
formation of the holes 45a for the stops 45 and the subsequent
oxidation process are more particularly shown in FIG. 3A since the
stops 45 are typically disposed perpendicularly to the
cross-section as shown in FIG. 2G. Subsequently, as further shown
in FIG. 3B, portions of the oxide layer 38 are then removed by
etching to form anchor sites 47 for the stops 45. A polysilicon
layer 49, for example, is then deposited on the oxide layer 38, as
shown in FIGS. 2H and 3C, from which the stops 45 are then formed.
FIGS. 21 and 3D further show that, following deposition of the
polysilicon layer 49, the polysilicon layer 49 is then patterned
and etched to form the stops 45 before the oxide layer 38 is
removed by wet etching. The stops 45 are thus anchored to the first
wafer 31 at the anchor sites 47 and extend over the edges of a
portion of the first wafer 31 which is subsequently processed to
form the valve plate 30. As shown in FIG. 2J, the microactuators 28
and 29 and the valve plate 30 may then be formed by etching the
components, such as the supports 22, the arched beams 24, the
actuator member 26, and the arms 30a, from the single crystalline
silicon first wafer 31. As shown, the MEMS valve 10 may further
include metal pads 39 formed by a metallization and etching process
either before or after the at least one microactuator 20 and at
least one valve plate 30 are formed, wherein the metal pads 39
facilitate electrical contact to the microactuators 28 and 29. In
some embodiments, the metal pads 39 may facilitate electrostatic
clamping of the valve plate 30 as a method of restraining the valve
plate 30 in a predetermined position with respect to the valve
openings 40.
[0034] In more detail, at least one microactuator 20 and at least
one valve plate 30 may be formed from a single crystalline silicon
wafer by initially depositing a mask layer upon the single
crystalline silicon first wafer 31. It will be understood by those
having skill in the art that when a layer or element as described
herein as being "on" another layer or element, it may be formed
directly on the layer, at the top, bottom or side surface area, or
one or more intervening layers may be provided between the layers.
The mask layer is typically a photoresist or light sensitive
polymer material. Once deposited upon the wafer 31, the mask layer
is patterned such that the photoresist which remains on the wafer
31 defines the microactuators 28 and 29 (each generally comprised
of a pair of spaced apart supports 22, at least one arched beam 24,
and an actuator member 26) and the valve plate 30. Once the
photoresist is patterned, the wafer 31 is etched so as to form the
microactuators 28 and 29 and valve plate 30 structure. Preferably,
the wafer 31 is etched by deep reactive ion etching capable of
forming thin silicon structures from the wafer 31 having aspect
ratios on the order of 10:1. The high aspect ratios for the silicon
arched beams 24 and valve plate 30 increases the out-of-plane
stiffness of these structures and contributes to more robust
devices. In addition, the fabrication techniques of the present
invention allow features and/or components to be more closely
spaced. For example, closer spacing between adjacent silicon arched
beams 24 increases the efficiency with which the arched beams 24
are heated due to increased heat transfer between adjacent beams
24. Once the wafer 31 has been etched, the photoresist is removed.
At this point, the first wafer 31 may be further doped, either
selectively or in a blanket process. Selective doping is used, for
example, to separate conductive regions from non-conductive
regions. More particularly, selective doping could be used, for
instance, to form alternating heated and non-heated arched beams 24
or portions thereof. By doping alternate arched beams 24 to
enhance/inhibit the conductivity thereof, only alternating arched
beams 24 would be heated and actuated by direct heating means, such
as by flowing an electrical current therethrough. The
non-conducting, non-heated arched beams 24 may subsequently be
actuated by the ambient temperate thereabout produced by the
adjacent heated arched beams 24. Thus, additional gains in
efficiency and reduced energy consumption may be recognized since
fewer arched beams 24 need to be heated by the electrical current
to provide the desired degree of actuation.
[0035] As shown in FIGS. 4A-C, and according to one advantageous
embodiment of the present invention, a MEMS valve 410, shown in an
alternate configuration with one microactuator 420 and two valve
plates 430, may be provided with a second wafer 460 bonded thereto.
Significant features of the second wafer 460 may include, for
example, an appropriately etched cavity 462 disposed over the
microactuator 420 so as to form a protective covering therefor. As
further shown in FIG. 4B, the cavity 462 would extend over the
actuator 420, covering the arched beams 424 and portions of the
actuator member 426. As also shown in FIG. 4C, the second wafer 460
may further include an appropriately etched channel 464 at the ends
of the cavity 462 such that the second wafer 460 is spaced apart
from the actuator member 426 of the microactuator 420 to allow
movement and operation thereof. FIG. 4B also shows that the second
wafer 460 may further be configured to provide vias 466,
appropriately spaced to correspond to the valve portions of the
valve 410, to provide appropriate conduits for the flow of the
fluid controlled by the valve 410. The second wafer 460 is then
bonded to the first wafer 431, such as by a fusion bonding or an
anodic bonding process, to permit operation of the valve 410 as
described. As bonded to the first wafer 431, the second wafer 460
may also serve as an out-of-plane mechanical stop for the
microactuator 420.
[0036] A further aspect of the present invention as described
herein includes a metallization step used to define interconnects
and contact pads about the MEMS valve 10. As shown in FIG. 5,
metallization may also be used to more particularly define and
control the heating characteristics of the arched beams 24. A
typical arched beam 24 is formed of a semiconductor material and
comprises distal ends 23, each disposed adjacent the respective
supports 22, and a medial portion 25 extending between the distal
ends 23. Accordingly, a metallization layer or trace 70 is
evaporated on the supports 22 to serve as contact pads for a
current source (not shown) operably connected therebetween.
Application of an electrical current between the supports 22 and
across the arched beams 24 internally generates the heat necessary
to thermally actuate the arched beams 24 due to the resistivity of
the arched beams 24. Evaporation typically involves depositing a
metal, such as nickel, copper, or gold, on the desired surface.
Portions of the metal are then removed by, for example, a wet etch
process to form the desired metal configuration on the
microactuator 20 structure. Alternatively, a lift-off process may
be used to configure the evaporated metal, wherein a photoresist
may be applied to the microactuator 20 structure and patterned to
leave photoresist on portions of the microactuator 20 where metal
is not desired. Removal of the photoresist following the metal
evaporation process thus also removes the undesired metal to leave
the desired metal configuration on the microactuator 20
structure.
[0037] Surprisingly, it has been found that extending the
evaporated metal layer 70 from the supports 22 onto the distal
portions 23 of the arched beams 24 concentrates the heated region
of the arched beams 24 to the medial portions 25 thereof. The
metallization traces 72 extending onto the distal portions 23 of
the arched beams 24 provide a low resistance pathway for the
current to flow. At the ends of the traces 72, the current is then
forced to flow through the higher resistance, medial portions 25 of
the silicon arched beams 24. Thus, the medial portions 25 of the
arched beams 24 experience a greater heating effect due to the
current than the distal portions 23 thereof, such that much greater
thermal actuation is achieved at the medial portions 25 of the
arched beams 24 to produce the desired displacement of the
microactuator 20. Reducing the heated region of the arched beams 24
may further provide a corresponding reduction in the energy
required to heat the arched beams 24 to achieve the desired
displacement.
[0038] FIG. 6 shows yet another advantageous embodiment of the
present invention, similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, but
further comprising at least one latch 680 configured to interact
with at least one corresponding engaging member 682 operably
connected to the valve plate 630. According to one embodiment of
the present invention, the MEMS valve 610 may have a latch 680 and
corresponding engaging member 682 disposed on either side of the
valve plate 630. The latch 680 may further be configured for
thermal operation. That is, for example, each side of the latch 680
may be comprised of two strips of silicon 684 and 686, wherein one
of the strips is narrower than the other. The application of an
electrical current through the latch 680 results in the latch 680
being heated due to the resistance of the silicon strips 684 and
686. Since the narrower strip 686 typically has a higher resistance
due to the smaller cross-sectional area, it will be heated to a
greater extent than the wider strip 684. Thus, as shown in FIG. 6,
the narrower strip 686 will expand more than the wider strip 684
and cause the sides of the latch 680 to diverge. Subsequent
actuation of the microactuators 628 and 629 causes the valve plate
630, and thus the engaging members 682, to be displaced toward the
latches 680. Once the engaging members 682 are displaced to a
position between the sides of the respective latches 680, the flow
of electrical current through the latches 680 can be halted, thus
causing the sides of the latches 680 to cool and converge to their
original configurations and trapping the corresponding engaging
member 682 therebetween. The valve 610 may then be deactuated such
that the valve plate 630 is maintained in the desired position by
the latches 680, thus retaining the valve 610 in an "actuated"
position without relying on an electrical actuation source for the
microactuators 628 and 629. The valve 610 is subsequently returned
to its "deactuated" position by reversing the detailed steps. The
thermal latches 680 thus facilitate additional energy conservation
for a MEMS valve 610 by providing a valve maintainable in an
actuated position without requiring a continuous energy input to
either the microactuators 628 and 629 or the thermal latches
680.
[0039] Thus, a MEMS device, such as a valve 10, can be formed in
accordance with the present invention that includes arched beams 24
and at least one valve plate 30 formed as a unitary structure from
single crystalline silicon. Fabricating the arched beams 24 and the
valve plate 30 from single crystalline silicon allows the arched
beams 24 and valve plate 30 to be precisely formed. More
particularly, the arched beams 24 and valve plate 30 may be formed
with aspect ratios of up to at least 10:1, more particularly by
using a deep reactive ion etching process. The higher aspect ratios
of these components increases their out-of-plane stiffness and
constructs a more robust device. The fabrication techniques of the
present invention also permit components of the valve 10 to be more
closely spaced. The closer spacing between adjacent silicon arched
beams 24, for example, results in more effective transfer of heat
between adjacent arched beams 24. In addition, the single
crystalline silicon microactuator 20 can be directly heated, such
as by passing a current therethrough, which is generally more
efficient than indirect heating. Further, although the coefficient
of thermal expansion of silicon is less than that of metals, such
as nickel, silicon is significantly less dense than nickel such
that for a given amount of power, a silicon arched beam can
generally be heated more than a corresponding nickel arched beam.
The heating effect may further be enhanced by the extension of the
metallization traces onto the silicon arched beams to controllably
constrain the dimensions of the thermally actuated portion of the
silicon arched beam. The inclusion of thermal latches may further
increase the efficiency of MEMS valves by permitting the valve
plates to be maintained in an actuated position without requiring a
continuous energy input to either the microactuators or the
latches. Therefore, the MEMS valve of the present invention can
have greater out-of-plane stiffness, can be more robust, and can be
more controllably and efficiently heated and actuated than
conventional MEMS devices having metallic arched beams.
[0040] Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention
will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which this invention
pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the
foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it
is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the
specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other
embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the
appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they
are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for
purposes of limitation.
* * * * *