Patent · US Expired

Force sensor with a piezoelectric FET

US4480488A · kind A · utility

19Cited by
2References
2Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 16, 1983
Grant dateNov 6, 1984
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 16, 2003

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG01L1/18
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A force sensor comprising a field effect transistor (FET) structure formed on a substrate, having an insulating layer overlying the substrate adjacent to the channel region of the transistor structure. A layer of piezoelectric material overlies the insulating layer, the layer of piezoelectric material having a portion which extends beyond the insulating layer to form a cantilever structure overhanging a portion of the channel region. A control electrode overlies the cantilever structure. Forces acting on the cantilever structure modify the charge distribution in the underlaying channel region, thereby to cause the drain current of the transistor to vary with any variation of force on the cantilever structure.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.