Fabrication Methods for Environmentally Hardened Sensors

Fabrication Methods for Environmentally Hardened Sensors
Author: Anthony Francis Flannery (#suffix.)
Publisher:
Total Pages:
Release: 2011
Genre:
ISBN:

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Micromachined sensors have continued to open exciting new doors in metrology. Applications in biology, pharmacology, genetics, chemistry, and other fields are driving crossdisciplinary research and development of sensors and sensing systems. The need for sensors that can function successfully in a broad range of environments is clear. Whether the objective is to produce devices for harsh chemical environments or those that will not interfere with delicate biochemical processes, developments in both materials and fabrication techniques will continue to be necessary. In the first stage, PECVD alumina, diamond-like carbon (DLC), flame-front diamond, and PECVD silicon carbide were evaluated for chemical resistance in 49% hydrofluoric acid, 4:1 sulfuric peroxide, concentrated HCL, and 25% tetramethylammonium hydroxide. Only PECVD silicon carbide demonstrated an etch rate less than 0.05 nm/min. While developing an optimized recipe for the STS 310PC PECVD reactor, bimodal behavior was discovered among the films tested; some withstood etching in 22% potassium hydroxide (KOH) at 80 °C, some etched relatively quickly. Rutherford backscattering with hydrogen forward scattering was performed to analyze the stoichiometry with a sample set of representative films. Stoichiometry did not explain the behavior. Further analysis with FTIR showed a correlation with the amount of terminal -CH3 present in the film. These results support a stoichiometric bond model which states that the etch behavior is due to a critically high level of silicon-silicon bonds within the film, which are susceptible to a attack by KOH. With this information, an optimized, etch-resistant, low-stress (

Integrated, Intelligent Sensor Fabrication Strategies for Environmental Monitoring

Integrated, Intelligent Sensor Fabrication Strategies for Environmental Monitoring
Author: Takeharu Suzuki
Publisher:
Total Pages:
Release: 2004
Genre: Detectors
ISBN:

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Abstract: The humidity, temperature, wind speed/direction micro sensors can be manufactured individually, resulting in three individual substrates. The integration of the three sensors into a single substrate is a vital challenge to achieve an integrated intelligent sensor so called a multiple sensor. This requires the integration of process flows and is a major challenge because adequate sensor performance must be maintained. Polyimide was selected as a humidity sensing material for its compatibility with conventional integrated circuit fabrication technology, negligible temperature dependence and good resistance against contamination. Nickel was selected for the temperature and wind speed/direction sensor because of its useful temperature coefficient and the advantage of its cost. Since the known wet etchant for nickel requires hard-baked photoresist, a method which does not attack the polyimide while removing the photoresist must be developed. The method developed for etching nickel employs hard-bake-free photoresist. Other challenge was ensuring good thermal isolation for the wind speed/direction sensor fabricated on a silicon nitride layer preformed on top of a silicon wafer. Since silicon acts as a good heat sink, the silicon under the sensor was etched entirely away until the silicon nitride layer was reached. This structure achieved good thermal isolation resulting in small power consumption. This low power feature is essential for sensors deployed in fields where power access or replacement of power sources is restricted. This structure was compared with the structure created by polyimide plateau on a silicon nitride layer coated on a silicon substrate as a function of power consumption. Based on the examination of thermal isolation, the multiple sensor utilizing a MEMS technique was fabricated with a single-sided mask aligner. -- The characteristics of humidity sensors fabricated with polyimide were examined in detail with respect to variations of electrode structures, improvement of sensitivity, effect of process temperature, temperature and frequency dependence, and stability. The humidity sensor constructed with O2 plasma treated polyimide resulted an improvement in sensitivity and hysteresis. The investigation using XPS, FTIR and AFM concluded the chemical modification of polyimide played an important role in this improvement. The design, fabrication and results of a series of humidity sensors are quantified. -- There is always no unique packaging solution for sensors because of the application-specific nature of the sensors. This intelligent environmental monitoring system was designed to accommodate both an environmental sensor and its signal conditioning electronics circuitry (SICONEC) into a single package. The environmental sensors need direct exposure to the environment while SICONEC needs a sealed encapsulation to avoid environmental damage. A new style of packaging addressing these requirements was demonstrated using a hot embossing machine. The hot embossing machine was used to embed an integrated circuit (IC) in a bare die condition into a polycarbonate (PC) sheet. In this case, the IC was flipped down against the PC, which protects the front side of the IC from the environmental damages. In a test phase, a die containing operational amplifiers was embossed into the PC. A humidity sensor and surface mount resisters were placed on the same surface of the PC to test the validity of this new technique. Interconnection between the embossed die and the humidity sensor was established using bonding wires. Copper tracks were also used to ensure all electrical connections for the die, the humidity sensor and the resistors. The results clarified the method developed. Details of process methods, issues and further potential improvement are reported.

Energy and Water Development Appropriations for 2015: Department of Energy: Environmental Management, FY 2015 budget; applied energy funding, FY 2015 budget; science, FY 2015 budget

Energy and Water Development Appropriations for 2015: Department of Energy: Environmental Management, FY 2015 budget; applied energy funding, FY 2015 budget; science, FY 2015 budget
Author: United States. Congress. House. Committee on Appropriations. Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development
Publisher:
Total Pages: 1564
Release: 2014
Genre: Federal aid to energy development
ISBN:

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Electronics, Power Electronics, Optoelectronics, Microwaves, Electromagnetics, and Radar

Electronics, Power Electronics, Optoelectronics, Microwaves, Electromagnetics, and Radar
Author: Richard C. Dorf
Publisher: CRC Press
Total Pages: 1239
Release: 2018-10-03
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 1351838040

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In two editions spanning more than a decade, The Electrical Engineering Handbook stands as the definitive reference to the multidisciplinary field of electrical engineering. Our knowledge continues to grow, and so does the Handbook. For the third edition, it has expanded into a set of six books carefully focused on a specialized area or field of study. Electronics, Power Electronics, Optoelectronics, Microwaves, Electromagnetics, and Radar represents a concise yet definitive collection of key concepts, models, and equations in these areas, thoughtfully gathered for convenient access. Electronics, Power Electronics, Optoelectronics, Microwaves, Electromagnetics, and Radar delves into the fields of electronics, integrated circuits, power electronics, optoelectronics, electromagnetics, light waves, and radar, supplying all of the basic information required for a deep understanding of each area. It also devotes a section to electrical effects and devices and explores the emerging fields of microlithography and power electronics. Articles include defining terms, references, and sources of further information. Encompassing the work of the world’s foremost experts in their respective specialties, Electronics, Power Electronics, Optoelectronics, Microwaves, Electromagnetics, and Radar features the latest developments, the broadest scope of coverage, and new material in emerging areas.