Monolithic bridge-on-diaphragm structure for pressure sensor applications
Authors
H.-J. Wagner, A. Schumacher, M. Alavi, T. Fabula, B. Schmidt
Journal
- Microsystem Technologies, vol. 1, no. 4, pp. 191-195, 1995
- Microsystem Technologies – Volume 1, Issue 4 , pp 191-195
Abstract
Monolithically clamped bridge-on-diaphragm (BOD) structures for pressure sensor applications were fabricated by means of Nd: YAG-laser micromachining and anisotropic KOH-etching techniques. The pressure / frequency-dependence of the BOD structures was measured by acoustical resonance excitation and optical detection of the microbridge and applying an external pressure between -0.8 bar and +1 bar to the diaphragm. In this vacuum/atmospheric pressure range the pressure/frequency-characteristic is quite linear with a sensitivity of about 4.5 kHz/bar and a fundamental bridge resonance frequency of 82 kHz. Extensive finite-element modelling has been carried out to optimize the geometrical dimensions of the BOD structures with respect to maximum sensitivity and pressure range. Using the same BOD structure layout it is possible to realize pressure sensors with applications ranging from 0.5 to 12 bar by only varying the thickness of the diaphragm. Varying the BOD structure layout to smaller dimensions the pressure sensors can be operated up to 100 bar with sensitivities of about 141 Hz/bar.
Conclusions and outlook
Monolithic BOD microstructures for pressure sensor applications were fabricated by means of laser machining and anisotropic etching techniques. This fabrication method is suited for batch processing. As the excellent mechanical properties of the single crystal silicon material are preserved, pressure sensors based on this BOD structure principle exhibit high sensitivities combined with high linearity. Furthermore, high Q-factors can be achieved by vacuum encapsulation of the BOD resonator schematically shown in the Figure. By varying the geometrical dimensions of the BOD structure sensors can be fabricated for a wide range of pressure and forces.
References
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Springer-Verlag
Link: link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2FBF01371494
GitHub repository
Link: github.com/ThomasFabula/Patent
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- BOD-Paper
- BOD-Patent DE4332653C1
- BOD-Drawings DE4332653C1_drawings