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Full-Text Articles in Electronic Devices and Semiconductor Manufacturing

Radio Frequency Mems Switch Contact Metal Selection, Ronald A. Coutu Jr., Paul E. Kladitis, Robert L. Crane, Kevin D. Leedy Jun 2007

Radio Frequency Mems Switch Contact Metal Selection, Ronald A. Coutu Jr., Paul E. Kladitis, Robert L. Crane, Kevin D. Leedy

AFIT Patents

A method for selecting metal alloys as the electric contact materials for microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) metal contact switches. This method includes a review of alloy experience, consideration of equilibrium binary alloy phase diagrams, obtaining thin film material properties and, based on a suitable model, predicting contact electrical resistance performance. After determination of a candidate alloy material, MEMS switches are conceptualized, fabricated and tested to validate the alloy selection methodology. Minimum average contact resistance values of 1.17 and 1.87 ohms are achieved for micro-switches with gold (Au) and gold-platinum (Au-(6.3 at %)Pt) alloy contacts. In addition, `hot-switched` life cycle test results …


Some Aspects Of Process Control In Semiconductor Manufacturing, Keelin Relihan, Shane Geraghty, Aidan O'Dwyer Jan 2007

Some Aspects Of Process Control In Semiconductor Manufacturing, Keelin Relihan, Shane Geraghty, Aidan O'Dwyer

Conference papers

This paper outlines some aspects of process control in semiconductor manufacturing. Starting with an outline of the semiconductor manufacturing process, the contribution will discuss temperature control of the chemical vapour deposition stage and the control of the wafer etching process, based on the industrial experience of the first two authors. Subsequently, the authors draw the attention of the semiconductor manufacturing community to the potential of properly tuned PID controllers for the achievement of simple and high performance control solutions.