A novel fabrication process of MEMS devices on polyimide flexible substrates

Micro-electro-mechanic-system (MEMS) devices on flexible substrate are important for non-planar and non-rigid surface applications. In this paper, a novel and cost-effective fabrication process for an 8 × 8 MEMS temperature sensor array with a lateral dimension of 2.5 mm × 5.5 mm on a polyimide flexible substrate is developed. A 40 μm thick polyimide substrate is formed on a rigid silicon wafer using as a mechanical carrier throughout the fabrication by four successive spin coating liquid polyimide. The arrayed temperature sensing elements made of 1200 Å sputtered platinum thin film on polyimide substrate show excellent linearity with a temperature coefficient of resistance of 0.0028/°C. The purposed sensor obtains a high sensitivity of 0.781 Ω/°C at 8 mA at constant drive current. Because of the low heat capacity and excellent thermal isolation, the temperature sensing element shows excellent high sensitivity and a fast thermal response. The finished devices are flexible enough to be folded and twisted achieving any desired shape and form. Employing spin-coated liquid polyimide substrate instead of solid polyimide sheet minimizes the thermal cycling as well as improves the production yield. This fabrication technique first introduces the spin-coated PDMS (Polydimethylsiloxane) interlayer between the silicon carrier and the polyimide substrate and makes the polyimide-based devices separate much easier and greatly simplifies the fabrication process with a high production yield. A non-successive two-stage cure procedure for the polyimide precursor is developed to meet low-temperature requirement of the PDMS interlayer. The fabrication procedure developed in this research is compatible with conventional MEMS technology through an optimized integration process. The novel flexible MEMS technology can benefit the development of other new flexible polyimide-based devices.