Patent · US Active

CMOS compatible pressure sensor for low pressures

US8381596B2 · kind B2 · utility

6Cited by
6References
24Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 17, 2010
Grant dateFeb 26, 2013
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 6, 2031

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG01L9/0054
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

Pressure sensors having a topside boss and a cavity formed using deep reactive-ion etching (DRIE) or plasma etching. Since the boss is formed on the topside, the boss is aligned to other features on the topside of the pressure sensor, such as a Wheatstone bridge or other circuit elements. Also, since the boss is formed as part of the diaphragm, the boss has a reduced mass and is less susceptible to the effects of gravity and acceleration. These pressure sensors may also have a cavity formed using a DRIE or plasma etch. Use of these etches result in a cavity having edges that are substantially orthogonal to the diaphragm, such that pressure sensor die area is reduced. The use of these etches also permits the use of p-doped wafers, which are compatible with conventional CMOS technologies.

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