Static and dynamic characterization of pull-in protected CMOS compatible poly-SiGe grating light valves

status: publishe

Static and dynamic characterization of poly-SiGe grating light valves

We present the fabrication and the characterization results of poly-SiGe grating light valves showing excellent contrast. We also discuss the different dimensional parameters that affect the switching time of the device through squeeze film damping

SiGe MEMS technology: a platform technology enabling different demonstrators

In imec's 200mm fab a dedicated poly-SiGe above-IC MEMS (Micro Electro-Mechanical Systems) platform has been set up to integrate MEMS and its readout and driving electronics on one chip. In the Flemish project Gemini the possibilities of this platform have been further explored together with the project partners. Three different demonstrators were realized: mirrors for display applications, grating light valves (GLV) and accelerometers. Whereas the mirrors and GLVs are made with a similar to 300 nm thick SiGe structural layer plus optical coating, the SiGe structural layer thickness for the accelerometers is 4 mu m in order to improve the capacitive readout of in-plane devices. The processing and measurement results of these functional demonstrators are shown in this paper. These new demonstrators reconfirm the generic nature of the SiGe MEMS platform