CMOS-compatible MEM switches and method of making

[0002] The present invention pertains to microfabricated electromechanical (MEM) switches which are fabricated on a substrate, and particularly to those which are fabricated for integration into circuits utilizing typical CMOS processing steps.

[0003] MEM switches in various forms are well-known in the art. U.S. Pat. No. 5,121,089 to Larson, granted in 1992, describes an example of a MEM switch in which the armature rotates symmetrically about a post. That inventor also suggested cantilevered beam MEM switches, in “Microactuators for GaAs—based microwave integrated circuits” by L. E. Larson et al., Journal of the Optical Society of America B, 10, 404-407 (1993).

[0004] MEM switches are very useful for controlling very high frequency lines, such as antenna feed lines and switches operating above 1 GHz, due to their relatively low insertion loss and high isolation value at these frequencies. Therefore, they are particularly useful for controlling high frequency antennas, as is taught by U.S. Pat. No. 5,541,614 to Lam et al. (1996). Such MEM switches have been made typically using gold to provide metal for the contacts.

[0005] It is desirable to fabricate such antennas in an array, and thus the MEM switch controllers need to be in an array also. In order to reduce costs and simplify producing arrays of MEM switches using known techniques, it is desirable to make MEM switch construction compatible with CMOS processes. Gold is not available in typical CMOS fabrication processes. Aluminum has been used for MEM switch contacts with CMOS processing, but aluminum contacts suffer from a tendency to oxidize and to adsorb surface contaminants. Polysilicon has also been used, but is a material of very high resistivity and thus does not readily provide good contact connections.

[0006] Thus, there exists a need for MEM switches which are compatible with CMOS processes, and which have an improved contact system.

[0007] The present invention solves the problem of building MEM switches which are entirely compatible with standard integrated circuit processes, such as CMOS, and which yet have low resistance contacts with good high-frequency performance.

[0008] The present invention provides a method to fabricate high-performance MEM switches using standard metallization layer interconnect vias. In the preferred embodiment, which utilizes CMOS fabrication steps, aluminum metallization is used for RF transmission lines and mechanical structural elements, and tungsten plugs are used as contacts for the MEM switches. Tungsten contacts are not only less susceptible to oxidation and to adsorption of contaminants than is aluminum, but they also have higher annealing and melting temperatures, and are harder. Thus, tungsten contacts provide greater contact lifetime and higher current-carrying capacity than aluminum, and much lower resistance than polysilicon.

[0009] Tungsten is currently preferred in most multiple metallization layer CMOS processing, but the present invention is directed not only to the use of tungsten, but to the use of CMOS via material, whatever it might be, to form MEM switch contacts.

[0010] FIG. 1 is cross-section of 4-layer CMOS metallization for fabricating a MEM switch.

[0011] FIG. 2 is the structure of FIG. 1 after Reactive Ion Etch (RIE).

[0012] FIG. 3 is the structure of FIG. 2 after a wet metal etch.

[0013] FIG. 4 is the structure of FIG. 3 after a depth controlled dielectric etch of the SiO₂.

[0014] FIG. 5 is the MEM switch cross-section structure after a pad opening etch.

[0015] FIG. 6 shows the MEM switch cross-section structure when it is actuated.

[0016] FIG. 7 shows a top view of the MEM switch indicating the cross-section.

[0017] For an overview of a Microfabricated Electro-Mechanical (MEM) switch as described herein, we turn to FIGS. 5-7, which show the MEM switch at the end of the processing described below. FIG. 7 shows a top view of the MEM switch, and FIGS. 5 and 6 show a cross-section of the MEM switch taken along cross-section line 6—6 shown in FIG. 7. In FIG. 5 the MEM switch is relaxed, and in FIG. 6 it is actuated (closed). Armature 70 includes upper plate 71 and interconnect strip 34 (with contact plugs 29 and 2), as well as cantilever beam 72, which includes upper plate connecting strip 73. Cantilever beam 72 is anchored by anchor 74. In operation, armature 70 is drawn toward substrate 10 by an electrostatic field between upper plate 71 and lower plate 14. The electrostatic field is produced by connecting upper plate 71 to a first potential via interconnect plug 27 and source connection trace 12, while lower plate 14 is connected to a different second potential via common connection trace 13. When thus actuated, upper contacts 29 and 28 become connected to lower contacts 19 and 18 such that signal connection 16 is connected to signal connection 18 via armature interconnect strip 34.

[0018] FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a structure for a MEM switch, including four layers of metallization: Metal 1, 12-14-16; Metal 2, 22-24-26; Metal 3, 32-34; and Metal 4, 42-44. The metallization is typically aluminum, and is surrounded by dielectric 20, typically SiO₂, such that the structure is readily produced by four-layer CMOS processing which is well known in the art. The Metal 1 and Metal 2 layers are interconnected by tungsten plug 17 (between metallization segments 12 and 24) and 19 (between segments 16 and 26). Similarly, tungsten plugs 27 and 29 interconnect the Metal 2 and Metal 3 layers at segments 24 and 32, and segments 26 and 34, respectively. Metallization segments 42, 44 and 22 provide an etch-stop layer for a subsequent Reactive Ion Etch (RIE) process.

[0019] The layer thicknesses are primarily determined by the capabilities of the foundry which will fabricate the devices. For example, typical foundry thicknesses are approximately 1 micron for metallization, and approximately 1 to 1.5 microns for dielectric layers.

[0020] The entire four-layer structure is shown fabricated upon a foundation shown as layer 10, which is typically Si and will be referred to as a substrate. However, layer 10 could as well be any material suitable for application of the four metallization layers. For example, this four-layer metallization processing may be performed upon other materials than Si. Layer 10 may have been previously fabricated with separate device structures of any sort, including metallization or doping layer structures. It is only necessary that layer 10 provide an adequately flat region, compatible with subsequent metallization and oxide layer depositions, upon which to facilitate accurate fabrication of the four layer metallization described herein.

[0021] FIG. 2 shows the structure of FIG. 1 after an etch step, preferably CF₄/O₂RIE, has removed the dielectric down to metal etch-stop features 42, 22, 44 and 26. RIE is preferred due to its high aspect ratio, which limits lateral etching, but any other reasonably high aspect ratio etch may be used as well. The etch step removes all dielectric oxides not covered by metal layer four, including overglass, intermetal dielectric oxide and field oxide.

[0022] FIG. 3 shows the structure of FIG. 2 after a further etch, preferably a wet metal etch to remove the exposed metallization, including Metal 4 and Metal 2. Referring to FIG. 1, the etch should be specific to the metal of metal layers 22-26 and 42-44, and should not substantially etch plugs 19 or 29; for example, an H₃PO₄acid-based etchant may be used. Thus, Metal 2 segment 26 (FIG. 1) functions as a sacrificial layer to separate tungsten plugs 19 and 29, and also to free armature cantilever structure 70, except where it is anchored to substrate 10 by anchor structure 74.

[0023] FIG. 4 shows the structure of FIG. 3 after a controlled-depth etch of dielectric material to trim back dielectric 20. This etch step will affect the dielectric thickness, and hence the stiffness, of cantilever beam 72, and may affect the minimum spacing between upper plate 71 and lower plate 14 if the armature rigidity is low enough that armature 70 actually touches lower switch dielectric 52. An important function of this etch is to expose tungsten plugs 19 and 29, such that upon actuation they contact each other without interference from surrounding dielectric material. Assuming that metallization thickness and dielectric thickness are both approximately 1 micron, as discussed above with regard to FIG. 1, the etching should be timed to remove approximately one half micron of dielectric. The time will of course depend upon the temperature, the concentration and choice of etchant, and can be readily determined by one skilled in the art. It is preferred that at least 0.25 micron of dielectric be removed during this step in order to adequately expose tungsten plugs 19 and 29 to ensure good contact.

[0024] FIG. 5 shows the completed MEM switch of FIG. 4 following a further etching step to expose metal for wire bonding. Pad 13 on metallization segment 12 is an exemplary wire bonding pad which is exposed during this etching step. Portions of the device which are not to be etched in this step may be protected by any technique, such as photoresist. Ledge 62 is residual dielectric material which has been protected by photoresist, and thus ledge 62 defines the edge of exposed wire bonding pad 13.

[0025] FIG. 6 shows the MEM switch of FIG. 5 after sufficiently different potentials are applied to upper plate 71 via source connection trace 12, tungsten plug 17, metallization segment 24, tungsten plug 27, and upper plate connecting strip 73, and to lower plate 14 via lower connecting trace 13. Upon application of this differential plate potential, upper plate 71 is drawn toward lower plate 14 until tungsten plugs 19 and 29 touch so that the switch can conduct signals through armature connection trace 34.

[0026] There is hysteresis in the armature position as a function of the plate potential. The attractive force between the upper and lower plates is a function of the square of the distance between the plates, while the cantilever resisting force is approximately a linear function of the plate distance; thus, once the potential between the plates exceeds a “snap-down” voltage, the armature will suddenly be drawn to a fully closed position as shown. The armature will not be released until the plate potential drops below a “hold-on” voltage, which is typically several volts less than the snap-down voltage, and then will release suddenly. This hysteresis ensures firm actuation.

[0027] FIG. 7 shows the completed MEM switch in plan view. Lower plate 14 (FIG. 6) provides the actuation-force region on substrate 10. Armature 70 preferably has a widened portion including upper plate 71 and switch conductor 34. Upper plate 71 is an electrostatic plate providing the armature actuation-force region which, in conjunction with the foundation actuation-force region provided by lower plate 14 (FIG. 6), causes armature 70 to move with respect to substrate 10 when an appropriate potential is applied. (Lower plate 14 is roughly coincident with upper plate 71. Though it may be discerned as a dashed line, it is not designated in FIG. 7). The widened portion of armature 70 is supported from anchor 74 by cantilever beam 72. The dimensions of the switch are very dependent upon desired operation, and upon the thickness of layers provided by the fabricating foundry. For 1 micron metal and dielectric, preferred dimensions are about 80 microns for the width of armature 70, 120 microns for the length, 24 microns for the width and 75 microns for the length of cantilever beam 72. Since cantilever beam 72 is narrower, upon actuation it will bend more than the wider portion of the armature. This view of the present embodiment shows the connection, across switch conductor 34, of signal connection traces 16 and 18 by means of tungsten plugs 28 and 29. The switch conductor width shown is about 30 microns, but depends on circuit requirements such as impedance and capacitive isolation from upper plate 71. All of the foregoing dimensions are subject to wide variation depending upon the particular switch application and foundry preferences.

[0028] Feature 62 merely defines the edge of pad 13, which is a portion of source connection trace 12 exposed as a bonding pad, as described above with respect to FIG. 5. Similar pads could of course be exposed as needed on the Metal 1 layer.

[0029] Actuation occurs when source connection trace 12, plug 27, and armature trace 73 bring a first electric potential to upper plate 71, while lower plate connection trace 13 connects a different electric potential. Signal line 16 is connected to signal line 18 via contacts 28 and 29 and conductor 34 when armature 70 is actuated.

[0030] It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing description is merely exemplary, and that a wide range of variations may be employed within the scope of the present invention, which is defined only by the attached claims. For example, an important purpose of the invention is compatibility with existing integrated circuit fabrication processes for low cost. Accordingly, while CMOS is the preferred embodiment, other multiple-metal layer processes may be used.

[0031] Tungsten is currently the metal of choice for multiple metallization layer CMOS process interconnect vias, and is known to work well as a contact material. However, the present invention describes using CMOS process via material for contacts in MEM switches. Other materials might be used for such vias; for example, copper, nickel, titanium or alloys of metals might be utilized for some multiple metallization layer CMOS process interconnect vias, either now or in the future. The present invention encompasses the use of such alternative via materials, which will be formed into contacts by steps entirely analogous to those described above for tungsten vias.

[0032] The actuation (closing) voltage and dropout (opening) voltage of the MEM switch will depend upon the armature layer construction, the electrostatic plate sizes, the cantilever material, thickness, length and width, and the spacing between armature and substrate, to mention only a few variables, and thus the actuation voltage will vary widely between embodiments.

[0033] The currently preferred embodiment utilizes a single tungsten plug at each circuit connection point. However, it is believed desirable, for some applications, to use a plurality of tungsten plug contacts at circuit contact points. Moreover, the connection arrangement shown for the described embodiment could be varied substantially.

[0034] Variations in the substrate are to be expected in some applications. For example, the material upon which the metal layers are disposed will often have been patterned and processed to form semiconductor devices therein. It is only important that there be adequate flat surface available in the vicinity of the switch which is amenable to deposition of the described metallization and dielectric layers.

[0035] Dielectric material may also be varied, as long as corresponding selective dielectric and metal etching processes are available to process as described above for SiO₂.

[0036] A preferred embodiment and some variations of the invention have been described above, and other embodiments will be immediately apparent to one skilled in the art. Though such further embodiments are not expressly discussed herein, it is understood that the invention is not to be restricted to the embodiments expressly discussed herein, but is defined only by the claims which follow.