Gupta A., Bashir R., Neudeck G.W., McElfresh M.
Purdue University, US
Keywords: Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), cantilever design, finite element analysis FEA, piezoresistivity, sensitivity
This paper describes and evaluates the incorporation of novel Stress Concentration Region (SCR) in silicon based cantilevers to enhance piezoresistive displacement, force, and torque sensitivities. In brief, SCR is a region, on the cantilever, with a thickness smaller than the cantilever thickness and of an appropriate length to localize stress where piezoresistors are implanted. It was found that in order to improve the sensitivity the length, thickness and placement of the SCR on the cantilever have to be optimized. Performing the optimization can result in a 2X, 5X and 3X improvement in the piezoresistive displacement, force and torque sensitivity, respectively. ANSYS, a well-known Finite Element Analysis (FEA) software, was used to analyze and optimize the above stated parameters of the SCR.
Journal: TechConnect Briefs
Volume: Technical Proceedings of the 2000 International Conference on Modeling and Simulation of Microsystems
Published: March 27, 2000
Pages: 617 - 620
Industry sector: Sensors, MEMS, Electronics
Topics: Chemical, Physical & Bio-Sensors, MEMS & NEMS Devices, Modeling & Applications
ISBN: 0-9666135-7-0