Reliable integration of piezoelectric lead zirconate titanate with MEMS fabrication processes

S. J. Gross, Q. Q. Zhang, S. Tadigadapa, S. Trolier-McKinstry, T. N. Jackson, F. Djuth

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

7 Scopus citations

Abstract

The high piezoelectric effect of lead zirconate titanate (PZT) films enables improved performance in microelectromechanical systems (MEMS). The material's reliable integration into current and mainstream MEMS microfabrication processes is then of great interest. In this paper we report on high reliability fabrication processes that can be used for producing PZT based MEMS devices. Pattern definition and release of PZT, low stress silicon nitride, platinum, and/or zirconia structures via wet and dry chemical etching and ion beam etching, including their affects on the piezoelectric properties of PZT are reported. Ion beam etching results in appreciable imprint in the polarization - electric field hysteresis loop of the PZT, which can be ameliorated by annealing in ambient air at 450°C. PZT on silicon nitride cantilever structures were defined and released by dry xenon difluoride silicon sacrificial etching. The advantages and difficulties of wet release etching versus xenon difluoride are also presented.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)72-80
Number of pages9
JournalProceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering
Volume4558
DOIs
StatePublished - 2001

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Computer Science Applications
  • Applied Mathematics
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering

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