IP Library › Patent Application 13434405
Patent Application
App. No. 13/434,405

ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCER AND METHOD OF PRODUCING THE SAME

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Patent No.
US None
App. No.
13/434,405
Abstract

A method of producing an electromechanical transducer includes forming an insulating film on a first electrode, forming a sacrificial layer on the insulating film, forming a first membrane on the sacrificial layer, forming a second electrode on the first membrane, forming an etching-hole in the first membrane and removing the sacrificial layer through the etching-hole, and forming a second membrane on the second electrode, and sealing the etching-hole. Forming the second membrane and sealing the etching-hole are performed in one operation.

Claims (23)

1 . A method of producing an electromechanical transducer, comprising:

forming an insulating film on a first electrode;

forming a sacrificial layer on the insulating film;

forming a first membrane on the sacrificial layer;

forming a second electrode on the first membrane;

forming an etching-hole in the first membrane and removing the sacrificial layer through the etching-hole; and

forming a second membrane on the second electrode and sealing the etching-hole, wherein

forming the second membrane and sealing the etching-hole are performed in one operation.

2 . The method of producing an electromechanical transducer according to claim 1 , wherein the first membrane has a thickness twice or more that of the sacrificial layer.

3 . The method of producing an electromechanical transducer according to claim 1 , wherein the second membrane has a thickness triple or more that of the sacrificial layer.

4 . The method of producing an electromechanical transducer according to claim 1 , wherein the second membrane has a larger thickness than that of the first membrane.

5 . The method of producing an electromechanical transducer according to claim 1 , wherein the first membrane is a silicon nitride film formed by PECVD.

6 . The method of producing an electromechanical transducer according to claim 1 , wherein the sacrificial layer is made of chromium and is removed by wet etching.

7 . An electromechanical transducer comprising:

a first electrode;

an insulating film disposed on the first electrode; and

a vibration film including a first membrane disposed on the insulating film with a space therebetween, a second electrode disposed on the first membrane so as to oppose the first electrode, and a second membrane disposed on second electrode on the opposite side of the space, wherein

the space is formed by removing a sacrificial layer formed on the insulating film through an etching-hole provided in the first membrane layer; and

a sealing portion sealing the etching-hole has the same thickness as the second membrane on the second electrode.

8 . The electromechanical transducer according to claim 7 , wherein the first membrane has a thickness twice or more that of the space.

9 . The electromechanical transducer according to claim 7 , wherein the second membrane has a thickness triple or more that of the space.

10 . The electromechanical transducer according to claim 7 , wherein the second membrane has a larger thickness than that of the first membrane.

11 . The electromechanical transducer according to claim 7 , wherein the first membrane has a spring constant of 500 N/m or more and 3000 N/m or less.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 18, 2012
From: TORASHIMA, KAZUTOSHI; AKIYAMA, TAKAHIRO; TOMIYOSHI, TOSHIO
To: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
Reel/Frame 028582/0717 →