A method is described for closing openings in a film, for example, in
microelectronic process technology, whereby substantially no deposition
material passes through the openings, which can be important if fragile
micro devices are positioned under the openings. The closure of these
openings can cause an underlying cavity to be hermetically sealed, in
which an object can be located. In particular the method provides a way
for hermetically sealing cavities under controlled atmosphere and
pressure in the encapsulation and sealing processes of cavities
comprising fragile content. The cavities may comprise for example Micro
Electro Mechanical Systems (MEMS). The method may be used for
encapsulating devices which may require a controlled atmosphere and
pressure encapsulation such as micro accelerometers, micro gyroscopes,
micro tubes, vibration micro sensors, micro mirrors, micro mechanical
resonators or "resonant strain gauges", micro mechanical filters, micro
switches, micro electrical circuits, micro relays, Integrated Circuits
with air gaps etc.