Abstract:
A MEMS-based optical switch (100) having improved characteristics and methods for manufacturing the same are provided. In accordance with one embodiment, an optical switch includes a single comb (122) drive actuator (104) having a deflecting beam structure (124) and a mirror (102) coupled to the actuator. The mirror is capable of being moved between an extended position interposed between waveguide channels (106) and a retracted position apart from the waveguide channels. The actuator applies a force capable of deflecting the beam structure and moving the mirror to one of the extended positions or the retracted position and the beam structure returns the mirror to the other of the extended position or the retracted position in the absence of the application of force.
Abstract:
A micromachine and a method of manufacturing the same which are suitable as or for a micromachine having a first dynamic fine structural portion constituting a driving portion, and a second static fine structural portion performing a switching function or a function of an optical element, the method comprising forming the second static fine structural portion on the first dynamic fine structural portion, or superposing the second static fine structural portion thereon and die transferring the same thereto, whereby the method enables the second fine structure to be formed without using at least a complicated step, such as a silicon process in an intermediate stage of the method, and into a complicated shape easily with a high reproducibility, and contributes to the improvement of the productivity. Especially, when a plurality of elements are arranged in an arrayed state as in a spatial light modulator, the die transfer techniques enable the second fine structure to be reproduced stably as compared with the techniques using a silicon process for forming all parts of a micromachine, whereby the subject method reduces the probability of occurrence of defects to a remarkably low level and contributes to the improvement of the yield.
Abstract:
The present disclosure provides a displacement amplification structure and a method for controlling displacement. In one aspect, the displacement amplification structure of the present disclosure includes a first beam and a second beam substantially parallel to the first beam, an end of the first beam coupled to a fixture site, and an end of the second beam coupled to a motion actuator; and a motion shutter coupled to an opposing end of the first and second beams. In response to a displacement of the motion actuator along an axis direction of the second beam, the motion shutter displaces a distance along a transversal direction substantially perpendicular to the axis direction.
Abstract:
This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for shutter-based EMS light modulators controlled by electrode actuators that include complementary sets of corrugations or teeth along the opposing beams of the actuators. The complementary sets of corrugations substantially engage one another when drawn together via an actuation voltage. By applying the actuation voltage across the opposing beams of such an actuator, the beams are drawn together both by the electromotive force resulting from the electric field acting between the portions of the beams that are substantially perpendicular to the direction of actuation of the actuator, and by fringing fields between the sides of the corrugations, which are substantially parallel to the direction of actuation. The additional fringing fields provide for increased electromotive force for a given input voltage.
Abstract:
This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus utilizing flexures in a display. In some implementations, an electromechanical systems (EMS) device can include flexures that have low stiffness along the axis of motion of a light modulator, and high stiffness in other directions. The flexures may include one or more beams mechanically coupling a MEMS structure to an anchor. The beams may be coupled to a hinge portion, the hinge portion being configured to suppress out of plane motion by the MEMS structure and the flexures. The flexures also may suppress out-of-plane motion using a stiffened portion. The stiffened portion can be mechanically coupled to the hinge portion or at least one beam of the flexure. By varying the cross-section geometry of the stiffened portion, the stiffness of the stiffened portion may be controlled to increase the force required to move the flexure in an out-of-plane direction.
Abstract:
This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus for a MEMS display incorporating extended height actuators. A light modulating component can be positioned between a substrate and an opposing surface coupled to the substrate. A suspended electrode can be coupled to the light modulating component and suspended between the substrate and the opposing surface. An extended-height electrode can be positioned immediately adjacent to the suspended electrode, and can extend from the substrate up to a height beyond the height of the suspended electrode. The suspended electrode and the extended-height electrode can be configured to move the light modulating component laterally with respect to the substrate.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a method for producing a micromechanical component (10), encompassing the following steps: a first electrode unit (14) is formed in a first position relative to a bottom substrate (16); a supporting element (22) is formed which comprises a first subunit (23, 28, 30) having a first internal stress and a second subunit (23, 28, 30) having a second internal stress that differs from the first internal stress, said supporting element (22) being fastened to the first electrode unit (14) at a first end while being fastened to the bottom substrate (16) at a second end; and the supporting element (22) is bent as a result of the difference between the first internal stress and the second internal stress, the bending action causing the first electrode unit (14) to be moved from the first position relative to the bottom substrate (16) into a second position relative to the bottom substrate (16). The invention further relates to a micromechanical component (10).
Abstract:
A capacitive MEMS device is formed having a material (722) between electrodes (712, 714) that traps and retains charges. The material can be realized in several configurations. It can be a multilayer dielectric stack with regions of different band gap energies or band energy levels. The dielectric materials can be trappy itself, i.e. when defects or trap sites are pre-fabricated in the material. Another configuration involves a thin layer of a conductive material with the energy level in the forbidden gap of the dielectric layer. The device may be programmed (i.e. offset and threshold voltages pre-set) by a method making advantageous use of charge storage in the material (722), wherein the interferometric modulator (12a, 12b) is pre-charged in such a way that the hysteresis curve shifts, and the actuation voltage threshold of the modulator is significantly lowered. During programming phase, charge transfer between the electrodes (712, 714) and the materials (722) can be performed by applying voltage to the electrodes (712, 714) (i.e. applying electrical field across the material) or by UV-illumination and injection of electrical charges over the energy barrier. The interferometric modulator (12a, 12b) may then be retained in an actuated state with a significantly lower actuation voltage, thereby saving power.
Abstract:
A comb-finger microstructure is disclosed for use in optical switching arrays, beam steering, optical displays, disk drive head actuators and the like. The microstructure is capable of producing linear or nonlinear actuation forces, perpendicular to the surface of a chip in which the microactuator is formed, as a function of applied voltages. The microstructure further provides the ability to detect the position of a movable structure with respect to a stationary or anchored structure.