Microelectromenchanical systems (MEMS) is a revolutionary field that adapts for new uses a technology already optimized to accomplish a specific set of objectives. The silicon-based integrated circuits process is so highly refined it can produce millions of electrical elements on a single chip and define their critical dimensions to tolerances of 100-billionths of a meter. The MEMS revolution harnesses the integrated circuitry know-how to build working microsystems from micromechanical and microelectronic elements. MEMS is a multidisciplinary field involving challenges and opportunites for electrical, mechanical, chemical, and biomedical engineering as well as physics, biology, and chemistry. As MEMS begin to permeate more and more industrial procedures, society as a whole will be strongly affected because MEMS provide a new design technology that could rivalâ€"perhaps surpassâ€"the societal impact of integrated circuits.

This volume contains the proceedings of the NATO Advanced Research Workshop which reviewed the basic principles and highlighted the progress made during the last few years on the atomic scale sources and the interactions between microprobes and samples. The motivation is to use the novel properties attached to the atomic dimensions to develop nanoscale technologies.

Micromechanics is a rich, diverse field that draws on many different disciplines and has potential applications in medicine, electronic interfaces to physical phenomena, military, industrial controls, consumer products, airplanes, microsatellites, and much more. Until now, papers written during the earlier stages of this field have been difficult to retrieve. The papers included in this volume have been thoughtfully arranged by topic, and are accompanied by section introductions written by renowned expert William Trimmer.

A comprehensive overview of the key techniques used in the fabrication of micron-scale structures in silicon; for graduate students and researchers.