(1) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the fabrication of micro electro-mechanical devices, and more particularly, to a method of eliminating nitride residue between mirrors for a reflective spatial light modulator in the fabrication of micro electro-mechanical devices.
(2) Description of the Prior Art
A double substrate spatial light modulator includes mirrors suspended by hinges from an upper substrate. Individual mirrors can be selectively deflected to spatially modulate light incident to the upper substrate and then to reflect the light back to the upper substrate. The mirror twist angle can be controlled by changing the input voltage of the high voltage (HV) devices. The mirror twist angle effects the light reflection path. Therefore, different reflection paths can be treated as On/Off states.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,337,760 to Huibers et al, U.S. Pat. No. 6,046,840 to Huibers, U.S. Pat. No. 6,356,378 to Huibers, U.S. Pat. No. 6,275,325 B1 to Sinclair, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,396,619 B1 to Huibers et al show mirrors with different types of hinges. U.S. Pat. No. 6,329,738 B1 to Hung et al shows a mirror with no hinge.
Accordingly, it is a primary object of the invention to provide a method for fabricating a double substrate spatial light modulator.
Another object of the invention is to provide a method for fabricating a double substrate spatial light modulator wherein the mirror sidewall residue problem is eliminated.
In accordance with the objects of the invention, a method of fabricating a double substrate spatial light modulator wherein the mirror sidewall residue problem is eliminated is achieved. A first sacrificial layer is formed overlying a glass substrate. A mirror layer is deposited overlying the first sacrificial layer. The mirror layer is patterned to form first openings in the mirror layer. A second sacrificial layer is formed overlying the mirror layer and within the first openings. The second sacrificial layer is patterned to form hinge openings to the mirror layer and the second and first sacrificial layers are patterned to form post openings to the substrate within the first openings. A silicon nitride layer is deposited overlying the second sacrificial layer and lining the post openings and hinge openings. The silicon nitride layer is etched back to leave the silicon nitride only on sidewalls of the post openings and hinge openings wherein the silicon nitride within the post openings forms support posts. A hinge layer is deposited overlying the second sacrificial layer and within the post openings and hinge openings and patterned to form hinges wherein each of the hinges is connected to the support posts on either side of the hinge openings. Thereafter, the mirror layer is patterned to form a plurality of micromirrors wherein each of the plurality of micromirrors is attached on one end to one of the hinges through the hinge openings. The first and second sacrificial layers are removed to complete fabrication of the micromirrors.
In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this description, there is shown:
The process of the present invention provides a method to fabricate reflective spatial light modulator mirror devices without mirror sidewall residue problems. This method is achieved by modifying the manufacturing process and layout method.
The process of the present invention begins with a glass substrate 10 illustrated in FIG. 3. Preferably, the glass substrate will have an opaque backside. Now, a first sacrificial layer 12 is deposited over the surface of the glass substrate. Preferably, the sacrificial layer comprises amorphous silicon having a thickness of about 10,000 Angstroms. Now the mirror layer 16 is deposited to a thickness of about 3000 Angstroms. Preferably, the mirror layer will comprise a highly reflective material, for example, aluminum.
Referring now to
Now, a second sacrificial layer 18 is deposited over the patterned metal layer, as shown in FIG. 6. Preferably, the sacrificial layer comprises amorphous silicon having a thickness of about 10,000 Angstroms.
Referring now to
Now a layer of silicon nitride is deposited over the substrate and within the vias to a thickness of about 4000 Angstroms. The silicon nitride layer is etched back to leave the silicon nitride 20 on the sidewalls of the vias as shown in FIG. 9. The silicon nitride 20 forms the support posts having good mechanical strength within the deep vias.
As illustrated in
Now, the patterning of the mirrors is completed.
In the process of the present invention, the silicon nitride is deposited only within the post hole and hinge openings to form the posts. The mirrors are separated after the posts and hinges have been completed. Thus, no residue material is left within the openings. The sidewalls of the mirrors are clear.
Now, the first and second sacrificial layers are removed by dry etching. In the process of the present invention, no residue lies on the mirror edges to effect the release process. The completed mirrors are shown in view A—A in FIG. 13. Hinge 24 is attached to mirror 16 and supported by posts 20.
The process of the present invention provides a method and layout for fabricating micromirrors in the fabrication of a reflective spatial light modulator. The new method and layout pattern eliminate the problem of residue at the mirror edges, thus allowing clean formation and free movement of the mirrors.
While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to the preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/420,285, filed on Apr. 4, 2003.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
6046840 | Huibers | Apr 2000 | A |
6275325 | Sinclair | Aug 2001 | B1 |
6300156 | Decker et al. | Oct 2001 | B1 |
6329738 | Hung et al. | Dec 2001 | B1 |
6337760 | Huibers et al. | Jan 2002 | B1 |
6356378 | Huibers | Mar 2002 | B1 |
6396619 | Huibers et al. | May 2002 | B1 |
6408878 | Unger et al. | Jun 2002 | B2 |
6529310 | Huibers et al. | Mar 2003 | B1 |
6804039 | Doan et al. | Oct 2004 | B1 |
20020196524 | Huibers et al. | Dec 2002 | A1 |
20030134449 | Huibers | Jul 2003 | A1 |
20040156089 | Doan et al. | Aug 2004 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country | |
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20040226909 A1 | Nov 2004 | US |