• Journal of the Korean Society of Mechanical Technology
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.93-99
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• 2011

This paper presents a new type of optical silicon accelerometer using deep reactive ion etching (DRIE) and micro-stereolithography technology. Optical silicon accelerometer is based on a mass suspended by four vertical beams. A vertical shutter at the end of the mass can only moves along the sensing axis in the optical path between two single-mode optical fibers. The shutter modulates intensity of light from a laser diode reaching a photo detector. With the DRIE technique for (100) silicon, it is possible to etch a vertical shutter and beam. This ensures low sensitivity to accelerations that are not along the sensing axis. The microstructure for sensor packaging and optical fiber fixing was fabricated using micro stereolithography technology. Designed sensors are two types and each resonant frequency is about 15 kHz and 5 kHz.

• Journal of the Microelectronics and Packaging Society
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.49-53
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• 2011

High-speed Cu filling into a through-silicon-via (TSV) and simplification of bumping process by electroplating for three dimensional stacking of Si dice were investigated. The TSV was prepared on a Si wafer by deep reactive ion etching, and $SiO_2$, Ti and Au layers were coated as functional layers on the via wall. In order to increase the filling rate of Cu into the via, a periodic-pulse-reverse wave current was applied to the Si chip during electroplating. In the bumping process, Sn-3.5Ag bumping was performed on the Cu plugs without lithography process. After electroplating, the cross sections of the vias and appearance of the bumps were observed by using a field emission scanning electron microscope. As a result, voids in the Cu-plugs were produced by via blocking around via opening and at the middle of the via when the vias were plated for 60 min at -9.66 $mA/cm^2$ and -7.71 $mA/cm^2$, respectively. The Cu plug with a void or a defect led to the production of imperfect Sn-Ag bump which was formed on the Cu-plug.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.26 no.10
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• pp.2187-2193
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• 2002

We present a novel method for 3D microfabrication with LIGA process that utilizes a deep X-ray mask in which a micro-actuator is integrated. The integrated micro-actuator oscillates the X-ray absorber, which is formed on the shuttle mass of the micro-actuator, during X-ray exposures to modify the absorbed dose profile in X-ray resist, typically PMMA. 3D PMMA microstructures according to the modulated dose contour are revealed after GG development. An X-ray mask with integrated comb drive actuator is fabricated using deep reactive ion etching, absorber electroplating, and bulk micromachining with silicon-on-insulator (SOI) wafer. 1mm $\times$ 1 mm, 20 $\mu$m thick silicon shuttle mass as a mask blank is supported by four 1 mm long suspension beams and is driven by the comb electrodes. A 10 $\mu$m thick, 50 $\mu$m line and spaced gold absorber pattern is electroplated on the shuttle mass before the release step. The fundamental frequency and amplitude are around 3.6 kHz and 20 $\mu$m, respectively, for a do bias of 100 V and an ac bias of 20 $V_{p-p}$ (peak-peak). Fabricated PMMA microstructure shows 15.4 $\mu$m deep, S-shaped cross section in the case of 1.6 kJ $cm^{-3}$ surface dose and GG development at 35$^{\circ}C$ for 40 minutes.

• JSTS:Journal of Semiconductor Technology and Science
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• v.2 no.4
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• pp.259-267
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• 2002

We present a novel 3D fabrication method with single X-ray process utilizing an X-ray mask in which a micro-actuator is integrated. An X-ray absorber is electroplated on the shuttle mass driven by the integrated micro-actuator during deep X-ray exposures. 3D microstructures are revealed by development kinetics and modulated in-depth dose distribution in resist, usually PMMA. Fabrication of X-ray masks with integrated electrothermal xy-stage and electrostatic actuator is presented along with discussions on PMMA development characteristics. Both devices use $20-\mu\textrm{m}$-thick overhanging single crystal Si as a structural material and fabricated using deep reactive ion etching of silicon-on-insulator wafer, phosphorous diffusion, gold electroplating, and bulk micromachining process. In electrostatic devices, $10-\mu\textrm{m}-thick$ gold absorber on $1mm{\times}1mm$ Si shuttle mass is supported by $10-\mu\textrm{m}-wide$, 1-mm-long suspension beams and oscillated by comb electrodes during X-ray exposures. In electrothermal devices, gold absorber on 1.42 mm diameter shuttle mass is oscillated in x and y directions sequentially by thermal expansion caused by joule heating of the corresponding bent beam actuators. The fundamental frequency and amplitude of the electrostatic devices are around 3.6 kHz and $20\mu\textrm{m}$, respectively, for a dc bias of 100 V and an ac bias of 20 VP-P (peak-peak). Displacements in x and y directions of the electrothermal devices are both around $20{\;}\mu\textrm{m}$at 742 mW input power. S-shaped and conical shaped PMMA microstructures are demonstrated through X-ray experiments with the fabricated devices.

• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.89-94
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• 2013

In this paper, we developed a beam of MEMS probe card using a BeCu sheet. Silicon wafer thickness of $400{\mu}m$ was fabricated by using deep reactive ion etching (RIE) process. After forming through silicon via (TSV), the silicon wafer was bonded with BeCu sheet by soldering process. We made BeCu beam stress-free owing to removing internal stress by using joule heating. BeCu beam was fused by using joule heating caused by high current. The fabricated BeCu beam measured length of 1.75 mm and width of 0.44 mm, and thickness of $15{\mu}m$. We measured fusing current as a function of the cutting planes. Maximum current was 5.98 A at cutting plane of $150{\mu}m^2$. The proposed low-cost and simple fabrication process is applicable for producing MEMS probe beam.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2012.08a
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• pp.382-382
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• 2012

Nanostructures have a larger surface/volume ratio as well as unique mechanical, physical, chemical properties compared to existing bulk materials. Materials for biomedical implants require a good biocompatibility to provide a rapid recovery following surgical procedure and a stabilization of the region where the implants have been inserted. The biocompatibility is evaluated by the degree of the interaction between the implant materials and the cells around the implants. Recent researches on this topic focus on utilizing the characteristics of the nanostructures to improve the biocompatibility. Several studies suggest that the degree of the interaction is varied by the relative size of the nanostructures and cells, and the morphology of the surface of the implant [1, 2]. In this paper, we fabricate the nanowires on the Ti substrate for better biocompatible implants and other biomedical applications such as artificial internal organ, tissue engineered biomaterials, or implantable nano-medical devices. Nanowires are fabricated with two methods: first, nanowire arrays are patterned on the surface using e-beam lithography. Then, the nanowires are further defined with deep reactive ion etching (RIE). The other method is self-assembly based on vapor-liquid-solid (VLS) mechanism using Sn as metal-catalyst. Sn nanoparticle solutions are used in various concentrations to fabricate the nanowires with different pitches. Fabricated nanowries are characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), x-ray diffraction (XRD), and high resolution transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Tthe biocompatibility of the nanowires will further be investigated.

• Laser Solutions
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.7-13
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• 2010

Today, the most common process for generating Through Silicon Vias (TSVs) for 3D ICs is Deep Reactive Ion Etching (DRIE), which allows for high aspect ratio blind holes with low surface roughness. However, the DRIE process requires a vacuum environment and the use of expensive masks. The advantage of using lasers for TSV drilling is the higher flexibility they allow during manufacturing, because neither vacuum nor lithography or masks arc required and because lasers can be applied even to metal and to dielectric layers other than silicon. However, conventional nanosecond lasers have the disadvantage of causing heat affection around the target area. By contrast, the use of a picosecond laser enables the precise generation of TSVs with less heat affected zone. In this study, we conducted a comparison of thermalization effects around laser-drilled holes when using a picosecond laser set for a high pulse energy range and a low pulse energy range. Notably, the low pulse energy picosecond laser process reduced the experimentally recast layer, surface debris and melts around the hole better than the high pulse energy process.

• Transactions on Electrical and Electronic Materials
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.91-95
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• 2014

This paper presents the structure and process technology of simple and low-cost wafer-level packaging (WLP) for thin film radio frequency (RF) devices. Low-cost practical micromachining processes were proposed as an alternative to high-cost processes, such as silicon deep reactive ion etching (DRIE) or electro-plating, in order to reduce the fabrication cost. Gold (Au)/Tin (Sn) alloy was utilized as the solder material for bonding and hermetic sealing. The small size fabricated WLP of $1.04{\times}1.04{\times}0.4mm^3$ had an average shear strength of 10.425 $kg/mm^2$, and the leakage rate of all chips was lower than $1.2{\times}10^{-5}$ atm.cc/sec. These results met Military Standards 883F (MIL-STD-883F). As the newly proposed WLP structure is simple, and its process technology is inexpensive, the fabricated WLP is a good candidate for thin film type RF devices.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers
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• v.15 no.11
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• pp.958-962
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• 2002

This paper reports on the fabrication of free-standing microstructures by DRIE (deep reactive ion etching). SOI (Si-on-insulator) structures with buried cavities are fabricated by SDB (Si-wafer direct bonding) technology and electrochemical etch-stop. The cavity was formed the upper handling wafer by Si anisotropic etch technique. SDB process was performed to seal the formed cavity under vacuum condition at -760 mmHg. In the SDB process, captured air and moisture inside of the cavities were removed by making channels towards outside. After annealing (100$0^{\circ}C$, 60 min.), the SDB SOI structure with a accurate thickness and a good roughness was thinned by electrochemical etch-stop in TMAH solution. Finally, it was fabricated free-standing microstructures by DRIE. This result indicates that the fabrication technology of free-standing microstructures by combination SDB, electrochemical etch-stop and DRIE provides a powerful and versatile alternative process for high-performance bulk micromachining in MEMS fields.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Precision Engineering Conference
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• 2003.06a
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• pp.1186-1190
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• 2003

In this paper, a valveless bubble-actuated fluid micropump was has been developed and its performance was tested. The valveless micropump consists of the lower plate, the middle plate, the upper plate and a resistive heater. The lower plate includes the nozzle-diffuser elements and the double-chamber. Nozzle-diffuser elements and a double-chamber are fabricated on the silicon wafer by the DRIE(Deep Reactive Ion Etching) process. The lower plate also has inlet/outlet channels for fluid flow. The middle plate is made of glass and plays the role of the diaphragm. The chamber in the upper plate is filled with deionized water, and which contacts with the resistive heater. The resistive heater is patterned on a silicon substrate by Ti/Pt sputtering. Three plates and the resister heater are laminated by the aligner and bonded in the anodic bonder. Since the bubble is evaporated and condensed periodically in the chamber, the fluid flows from inlet to outlet with respect to the diffusion effect. In order to avoid backflow, the double chamber system is introduced. Analytical and experimental results show the validity of the developed double-chamber micropump.