Method for creating a digital micromirror device using an aluminum hard mask

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United States of America Patent

PATENT NO 5567334
SERIAL NO

08396024

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Abstract

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A method for fabricating a DMD spatial light modulator (10, 66) using an aluminum hard mask (40,50,80,90). The DMD superstructure (14,16) is comprised entirely of titanium tungsten (TiW), whereby the hinge (14) and beam (16) are patterned by a respective thin aluminum hard mask. A very rigid superstructure (14,16) is achieved, and the use of a sacrificial oxide hard mask is avoided. With the thin aluminum hard mask (40,80), good step coverage of subsequent layers is achieved. Relatively few semiconductor processing steps are required, with the titanium tungsten layers (32,44,72,84) being etched away with a fluorinated plasma. In one embodiment, the photoresist spacer layer (30) is never exposed to a fluorinated plasma.

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Patent Owner(s)

Patent OwnerAddress
TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED12500 TI BOULEVARD MS 3999 DALLAS TX 75243

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Inventor(s)

Inventor Name Address # of filed Patents Total Citations
Baker, James C Coppell, TX 58 2522
Prengle, Scott H Plano, TX 6 622
Trombley, Henry Princeton, TX 1 271

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