GaAs-based tuning fork microresonators: A first step towards a GaAs-based coriolis 3-axis Micro-Vibrating Rate Gyro (GaAs 3-axis μcVG)

Abstract

This paper presents the design of a piezoelectric MEMS Coriolis Vibrating Gyroscope (CVG) based on a single gallium arsenide vibrating structure allowing the measurement of rotation rate along 3 orthogonal sensitive axes. Based on a theoretical and FEM study, we demonstrate that the achieved sensitivities reached for each axis is about 1.6 × 10-16 C/(°/s). We then demonstrate the feasibility of the realization of simple MEMS structures from C-doped Gallium Arsenide (GaAs) using standard micromachining processes. Finally, we show the fabrication and characterization of GaAs-based tuning fork microresonators as a first step towards a complete 3-axis GaAs MEMS CVG. These resonators show a resonance frequency of 42 350 Hz, a quality factor of 122 000 and a frequency temperature coefficient of 24 ppm/°K, validating the high potential of GaAs as a structural material for 3-axis MEMS CVGs. © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.