Patent · US Expired

Sensor, in particular thermal sensor, and method for manufacturing a largely self-supporting membrane

US6655834B1 · kind B1 · utility

8Cited by
10References
11Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJul 10, 2000
Grant dateDec 2, 2003
Priority date
Expiry dateJul 10, 2020

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB81C2203/0735
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A sensor, in particular thermal sensor, having a silicon element and a largely self-supporting membrane layer equipped with at least one sensor element, is proposed. The membrane layer is furthermore spaced away from the silicon element by way of at least one contact column and is at least largely supported thereby. The contact column moreover makes electrical contact to the sensor element. Also proposed is a method for manufacturing a largely self-supporting membrane, a polymer layer first being deposited on a base element, patterned, and equipped with at least one cutout. The cutout is subsequently filled with a filler material, and a membrane layer is applied onto the polymer layer. Lastly, the polymer layer is removed again. The proposed method for manufacturing a largely self-supporting membrane layer is suitable in particular for constructing a sensor, in particular a thermal sensor or a thermal sensor array.

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