Experimental setup for the coating of chlorosilane based self assembling monolayers to reduce stiction in MEMS devices

H. Steiner; M. Sachse; J. Schalko; W. Hortschitz; F. Kohl; A. Jachimowicz

doi:10.1117/12.887630

5 May 2011 Experimental setup for the coating of chlorosilane based self assembling monolayers to reduce stiction in MEMS devices

H. Steiner, M. Sachse, J. Schalko, W. Hortschitz, F. Kohl, A. Jachimowicz

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 8066, Smart Sensors, Actuators, and MEMS V; 806624 (2011) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.887630
Event: SPIE Microtechnologies, 2011, Prague, Czech Republic

Abstract

An often reported problem during production and operation of silicon MEMS is stiction. It describes the sticking of movable MEMS parts to surrounding structures. The probability of the occurrence of stiction is linked to the surface energy of the MEMS. Self assembling monolayers can be used to reduce the surface energy and therefore the probability of stiction. These monolayers have to resist high temperatures up to 400°C to be compatible with various micro-production processes, e.g., eutectic bonding. Several groups tried to coat such monolayers with different success and results. One problem is the instability of the coating method due to water contaminations of the coating solution. To circumvent this error source, an experimental setup was designed and built up to minimize the water content of the monolayer solvent and ensures reproducible conditions during the coating process. The required set of liquids is piped through a system of valves and tubes to rinse a trench with a silicon die. To avoid contamination of the liquids with water, the setup is partly placed in a box flushed with nitrogen. With this experimental setup, the surface energy γ_s of the MEMS structures had been reduced from 18.1 mJ/m² to 33.1 μJ/m² and 36.6 μJ/m² for FDTS and DDMS, respectively.

Citation Download Citation

H. Steiner, M. Sachse, J. Schalko, W. Hortschitz, F. Kohl, and A. Jachimowicz "Experimental setup for the coating of chlorosilane based self assembling monolayers to reduce stiction in MEMS devices", Proc. SPIE 8066, Smart Sensors, Actuators, and MEMS V, 806624 (5 May 2011); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.887630

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