Reducing MEMS stiction by introduction of a carbon barrier layer

摘要

A mechanism for reducing stiction in a MEMS device by decreasing an amount of carbon from TEOS-based silicon oxide films that can accumulate on polysilicon surfaces during fabrication is provided. A carbon barrier material film (510, 520) is deposited between one or more polysilicon layer (210, 230) in a MEMS device and the TEOS-based silicon oxide layer (220). This barrier material blocks diffusion of carbon into the polysilicon, thereby reducing accumulation of carbon on the polysilicon surfaces. By reducing the accumulation of carbon, the opportunity for stiction due to the presence of the carbon is similarly reduced.