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Pre-release plastic packaging of MEMS and IMEMS devices

Patent ·
OSTI ID:874389
 [1];  [2]
  1. Albuquerque, NM
  2. Tijeras, NM
+ Show Author Affiliations

A method is disclosed for pre-release plastic packaging of MEMS and IMEMS devices. The method can include encapsulating the MEMS device in a transfer molded plastic package. Next, a perforation can be made in the package to provide access to the MEMS elements. The non-ablative material removal process can include wet etching, dry etching, mechanical machining, water jet cutting, and ultrasonic machining, or any combination thereof. Finally, the MEMS elements can be released by using either a wet etching or dry plasma etching process. The MEMS elements can be protected with a parylene protective coating. After releasing the MEMS elements, an anti-stiction coating can be applied. The perforating step can be applied to both sides of the device or package. A cover lid can be attached to the face of the package after releasing any MEMS elements. The cover lid can include a window for providing optical access. The method can be applied to any plastic packaged microelectronic device that requires access to the environment, including chemical, pressure, or temperature-sensitive microsensors; CCD chips, photocells, laser diodes, VCSEL's, and UV-EPROMS. The present method places the high-risk packaging steps ahead of the release of the fragile portions of the device. It also provides protection for the die in shipment between the molding house and the house that will release the MEMS elements and subsequently treat the surfaces.

Research Organization:
SANDIA CORP
DOE Contract Number:
AC04-94AL85000
Assignee:
Sandia Corporation (Albuquerque, NM)
Patent Number(s):
US 6379988
OSTI ID:
874389
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

References (4)

Post-Packaging Release a New Concept for Surface-Micromachined Devices conference June 1998
Low-cost plastic sensor packaging using the open-window package concept journal May 1998
Low-stress 3d packaging of a microsystem journal June 1998
Multichip module packaging of microelectromechanical systems journal October 1998

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