Much of the recent ongoing advanced research into the quest for improved etching techniques has brought forth a broad concept for the fabrication of micro/nano-electromechanical systems (MEMS/NEMS) having high accuracy, precision, efficiency, compatibility and through-put of metallic- as well as carbon-composition structural phases. This in turn leads towards a thorough understanding of the sensing, trapping, separating, controlling, positioning, directing, concentrating and manipulating of micro-nano-sized particles - predominantly biological particles - in the emerging MEMS/NEMS technological field. This paper focuses its attention on the easiest means of wet-etching {100}-type silicon wafer surfaces by guiding the choice of [<100> or <010>] orientation (at 45° to the normal orientation). This anisotropic etching is performed in KOH solution. Here, consideration is not concerned to a large extent with process parameters as in anodic oxidation, an intensely doped boron etching stops and silicon wafer surface back-etching. The main concern of the present practical application route involves a passivating material (silicon dioxide, SiO2) and two masking stages (for a two-step etching process). As a example of this method, silicon cantilever beams having vertical edges are produced. It is concluded that the method presented will be helpful in the comprehensive study of resonators, pressure/temperature sensors, three-dimensional carbon micro-electrodes, actuators and accelerometers for bioparticle applications.
