BAW Resonator Electrodes Using Mo-Ta Alloy Against Oxidation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing bulk acoustic wave resonators face issues with oxidation of molybdenum electrodes, leading to reliability problems and high resistivity, which affects crystal orientation and manufacturing processes, while replacing molybdenum with other metals can lower crystal orientation quality.

Innovation Solution

The use of a molybdenum-tantalum alloy for the electrodes, with a tantalum content of 0.1 to 30 atomic percent, which improves etching resistance, reduces oxidation, and maintains low resistivity, allowing for better crystal orientation and manufacturing reliability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If molybdenum is used as electrode material, then low resistivity is achieved, but oxidation occurs leading to reliability problems

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenvironmental reliabilityVSAvoidoxidation resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a molybdenum-tantalum alloy composite material for the electrode, combining Mo and Ta in specific ratios (Mo: 70-99.9 atomic%, Ta: 0.1-30 atomic%). This composite approach leverages the low resistivity of molybdenum while incorporating tantalum's superior oxidation resistance, thereby resolving the contradiction between electrical conductivity and environmental stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent optimizes the compositional parameters of the alloy by specifying precise atomic percentage ranges for molybdenum and tantalum. By adjusting the Ta content within 0.1-30 atomic%, the material properties are tuned to achieve both low resistivity and high oxidation resistance, demonstrating parameter change as a solution to the technical contradiction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If molybdenum is used as electrode material, then low resistivity is achieved, but crystal orientation quality deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecrystal orientation qualityVSAvoidelectrode resistivity stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The molybdenum-tantalum alloy serves as a composite electrode material that maintains good crystal orientation capability while improving resistivity stability. The specific composition range allows the material to support high-quality crystal growth during manufacturing while providing enhanced reliability through reduced oxidation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Object-affected harmful factors

If molybdenum-tantalum alloy is used instead of pure molybdenum, then oxidation resistance improves, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoxidation resistanceVSAvoidmanufacturing process simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent specifies precise compositional parameters (Mo: 70-99.9 atomic%, Ta: 0.1-30 atomic%) to achieve the desired oxidation resistance. By defining clear parameter ranges, the patent simplifies the manufacturing process compared to developing entirely new materials, as existing sputtering and deposition techniques can be adapted to create the alloy with controlled composition.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The molybdenum-tantalum alloy electrodes enhance environmental reliability by minimizing oxidation, improve crystal orientation, and provide robust etching-resistant properties, resulting in improved performance and stability of bulk acoustic wave resonators.

Implementation Method 1

an electric field is induced in the piezoelectric layer by electrical energy applied to the first and second electrodes, a piezoelectric phenomenon occurs in the piezoelectric layer due to the induced electric field, causing the resonator to vibrate in a predetermined direction. As a result, a bulk acoustic wave is generated

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS10637435B2Bulk acoustic wave resonator and filter including the same
Publication Date: 2020.04.28 SAMSUNG ELECTRO MECHANICS CO LTD
  • US10637435B2 patent drawing
  • US10637435B2 patent drawing
  • US10637435B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A bulk acoustic wave resonator includes a substrate; and a resonator including a first electrode, a piezoelectric layer, and a second electrode sequentially disposed on the substrate. Either one or both of the first electrode and the second electrode includes an alloy of molybdenum (Mo) and tantalum (Ta).