Next Generation of TCAD Environments for MEMS Design

TL;DR

This paper introduces an advanced TCAD environment called BICEP'S that utilizes a central process database to improve process data exchange, documentation, and simulation setup for MEMS design, demonstrated through silicon etching examples.

Contribution

The paper presents a new version of BICEP'S with a central process database enabling better data management and simulation setup for MEMS process design.

Findings

Enhanced process data exchange via a central database

Improved documentation of process changes and their effects

Successful simulation of silicon etching using atomistic models

Abstract

In this paper we present the latest version of the TCAD environment BICEP'S (Braunschweigs Integrated CAD-Environment for Product Planning and Process Simulation). By using a central process database, which allows the exchange of all relevant process data it is able to overcome many of the mentioned obstacles. The database and process planning tool can be used by process developers to document changes in process settings and the influence of such changes on the process result. This information can then be used by the designers to set-up a simulation file for a detailed analysis of the impact of such parameter changes on the requested design. This will be shown by the example of silicon etching using an atomistic etch simulator.