Prototyping With SUMMiT™ Technology, Sandia’s Ultra-Planar Multi-Level MEMS Technology
Sandia National Laboratories, a world leader in the development and application of surface micromachining technology, offers its ultra-planar, multi-level SUMMiT™ technology for prototyping devices for microelectromechanical systems (MEMS). By incorporating advanced fabrication processes, such as chemical mechanical polishing and five levels of polysilicon (four mechanical and one ground), in a well-characterized, base-lined technology, the SUMMiT™ (Sandia’s Ultra-planar, Multi-level, MEMS Technology) process offers a virtually limitless range of microelectromechanical systems that can be fabricated for both commercial and military applications [1]. Sandia’s SUMMiT™ process, licensed to industry for volume production, is available from Sandia for agile prototyping through the SAMPLES™ Program. The SAMPLES™ (Sandia’s Agile MEMS Prototyping, Layout tools, Education, and Services) Program, offers participants the opportunity to access state-of-the-art MEMS technology to prototype an idea and produce hardware that can be used to sell a concept. The four components of the SAMPLES™ Program provide: • Education and training on Sandia’s SUMMiT™ designand visualization tools, fabrication process, and reliability issues; • Layout tools for design including visualization and checking of design rules; • Fabrication in the 5-level SUMMiT™ technology; • Post-fabrication services such as release, packaging, reliability characterization, and failure analysis. This paper discusses the SUMMiT™ technology, its capabilities, and the infrastructure for prototyping within the technology through the SAMPLES™ Program.