Skip to main content
Log in

Fabrication of high aspect ratio comb-drive actuator using deep X-ray lithography at Indus-2

  • Technical Paper
  • Published:
Microsystem Technologies Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

We report microfabrication of high aspect ratio comb-drive using deep X-ray lithography at Indus-2 synchrotron radiation source. Analysis shows that the comb-drive actuator of aspect ratio 32 will produce nearly 2.5 μm displacement when 100 V DC is applied. The displacement increases as the gap between the comb finger decreases. For fabrication of comb-drive, polyimide–gold X-ray mask using UV lithography is made for the first time in India. To pattern on an 800 μm thick X-ray photoresist (PMMA) exposures are performed using our deep X-ray lithography beamline (BL-07) at Indus-2. Metallization on the selective regions of the developed X-ray photoresist with comb-drive pattern was carried out by RF sputtering. Following this the comb-drive actuator of PMMA was fabricated by one-step X-ray lithography. The comb-drive can also be used as a sensor, energy harvester, resonator and filter.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Ando Y, Ikehara T, Matsumoto S (2002) Design, fabrication and testing of new comb actuators realizing three-dimensional continuous motions. Sens Actuators A 98:579–586

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Burbaum C, Mohr J, Bley P, Menz W (1991) Fabrication of electrostatic microdevices by the LIGA techniques. Sens Mater 3:75–85

    Google Scholar 

  • Dhamgaye VP, Lodha GS, Gowri Sankar B, Garg CK (2013) Beamline BL-07 at Indus-2: a facility for microfabrication research. J Synchrotron Radiat 21:259–263

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dowhań Ł, Wymysłowski A, Kaliciński S, Janus P (2011) Numerical prototyping methods in microsystem accelerometers design. Microelectron Reliab 51:1276–1282

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ehrfeld W, Lehr H (1995) Deep X-ray lithography for the production of three-dimensional microstructures from metals, polymers and ceramics. Radiat Phys Chem 45:349–365. doi:10.1016/0969-806X(93)E0007-R

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ehrfeld W, Münchmeyer D (1991) Three-dimensional microfabrication using synchrotron radiation. Nucl Instrum Methods Phys Res A303:523–531

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ehrfeld W, Glashauser W, Munchmeyer D, Schelb W (1986) Mask making for synchrotron radiation lithography. Microelectron Eng 5:463–470

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Harouche IPF, Shafai C (2005) Simulation of shaped comb drive as a stepped actuator for microtweezers application. Sens Actuators A Phys 123–124:540–546

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Heuberger A (1986) X-ray lithography. Microelectron Eng 5:3–38

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jaecklin VP, Linder C, de Rooij NF, Moret JM (1992) Micromechanical comb actuators with low driving voltage. J Micromech Microeng 2:250–255

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kondo R, Takimoto S, Suzuki K, Sugiyama S (2000) High aspect ratio electrostatic micro actuators using LIGA process. Microsyst Technol 6:218–221

  • Lobontiu N, Garcia E (2005) Mechanics of microelectromechanical systems. Kluwer Academic Publishers, Boston

    Google Scholar 

  • Ruzzu A, Matthis B (2002) Swelling of PMMA-structures in aqueous solutions and room temperature Ni-electroforming. Microsyst Technol 8:116–119

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Saile V, Wallrabe U, Tabata O, Korvink JG (2009) LIGA and its applications, vol 7. WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim

    Google Scholar 

  • Sheu G-J, Yang S-M, Lee T (2011) Development of a low frequency electrostatic comb-drive energy harvester compatible to SoC design by CMOS process. Sens Actuators A Phys 167:70–76

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shukla R, Jain VK, Dhamgaye VP, Lodha GS (2013) Developing high aspect ratio comb-drive using synchrotron radiation at Indus-2. AIP Conf Proc 1512:496–497

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Srinivasan P, Gollasch CO, Kraft M (2010) Three dimensional electrostatic actuators for tunable optical micro cavities. Sens Actuators A Phys 161:191–198

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Takahashi K, Bulgan E, Kanamori Y, Hane K (2009) Submicrometer comb-drive actuators fabricated on thin single crystalline silicon layer. IEEE Trans Ind Electron 56:991–995

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tang WC, Nguyen T-CH, Judy MW, Howe RT (1990) Electrostatic-comb drive of lateral polysilicon resonators. Sens Actuators A Phys 21:328–331

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wallrabe U, Bley P, Krevet B et al (1994) Design rules and test of electrostatic micromotors made by the LIGA process. J Micromech Microeng 4:40–45

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yang L-J, Huang T-W, Chang P-Z (2001) CMOS microelectromechanical bandpass filters. Sens Actuators A Phys 90:148–152

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

One of the author’s R. S. acknowledges the support from Ms. Pragya Tiwari for SEM image and Mr. B. S. Thakur for assistance at BL-07. P. R. S. acknowledges the contributions made by Mr. A. P. Singh, Mr. C. Manikandan and Mr. G. S. Deshmukh in gold electroplating for polyimide-gold X-ray mask.The technical discussion with Dr. A. K. Sinha and Dr. Haranath Ghosh is greatly acknowledged by R. S. The authors are thankful to Dr. S. K. Deb for providing the necessary support at every stage of the project.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Rahul Shukla.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Shukla, R., Dhamgaye, V.P., Jain, V.K. et al. Fabrication of high aspect ratio comb-drive actuator using deep X-ray lithography at Indus-2. Microsyst Technol 20, 1273–1280 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00542-014-2230-8

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00542-014-2230-8

Keywords

Navigation