Abstract:
An optical module 1A includes a semiconductor substrate 2, an electrostatic actuator 10 including a fixed portion 11 fixed to the semiconductor substrate 2 and a movable portion 12 moved with respect to the fixed portion 11 by an electrostatic force generated between the movable portion and the fixed portion 11, a first spring portion 20 connected to the movable portion 12 and having a first spring constant K1, a second spring portion 30 connected between the first spring portion 20 and the semiconductor substrate 2 and having a second spring constant K2 greater than the first spring constant K1, and a movable mirror 5 which is an optical component connected to a connection portion 13 between the first spring portion 20 and the second spring portion 30. Thereby, an optical module capable of stably operating an optical component with high precision using an electrostatic actuator is realized.
Abstract:
A display apparatus comprises a first substrate having a front-facing surface and a rear-facing surface. The display apparatus further comprises a second substrate in front of the front-facing surface of the first surface, a reflective aperture layer including a plurality of apertures disposed on the front-facing surface of the first substrate and a plurality of MEMS light modulators for modulating light directed towards the plurality of apertures to form an image.
Abstract:
A method of forming a surface of micrometer dimensions conforming to a desired contour for a MEMS device, the method comprising providing a crystalline silicon substrate with a recess in an upper surface, providing a thinner layer of crystalline silicon over the upper surface of the substrate, fusion bonding the layer to the substrate under vacuum conditions, and applying heat to the layer and applying atmospheric pressure on the layer, such as to plastically deform the diaphragm within the recess to the desired contour. The substrate may form the fixed electrode of an electrostatic MEMS actuator, operating on the zip principle.
Abstract:
The invention relates to MEMS-based display devices. In particular, the display devices may include actuators having two mechanically compliant electrodes. In addition, bi-stable shutter assemblies and means for supporting shutters in shutter assemblies are disclosed inclusion in the display devices.
Abstract:
There is provided a liquid droplet ejecting apparatus capable of being efficiently produced at low production costs. The liquid droplet ejecting apparatus 1 includes a substrate 2 which has a hole 4 extending in thickness directions to pass through the substrate 2, and a photoresist film 3 which is formed on one side 2a of the substrate 2 so as to close one end of the hole 4, the photoresist film 3 having a small hole 5 which faces the one end of the hole 4 to open the one end of the hole 4 to the atmosphere. Thus, the liquid droplet ejecting apparatus 1 is designed to eject a droplet of a liquid from the small hole 5 by applying a pressure of a pressure source 6 to the other end of the hole 4 after the liquid is injected into the hole 4.
Abstract:
The invention concerns design of thermoelastic actuators incorporating an expansive element formed from material selected in accordance with a procedure involving the derivation of an indicator of the material's potential effectiveness for each application. Indicator ε is derived from: εη=Eη2T/ςC where E is Young's modulus of the material, η is coefficient of thermal expansion, T is maximum operating temperature, ς is density and C is specific heat capacity. Elements may be selected from a group including: borides, carbides, nitrides or silicides of chromium, molybdenum, niobium, tantalum, titanium, tungsten, vanadium or zirconium.
Abstract:
In embodiments of the present invention, a microelectromechanical actuator includes a beam having respective first and second ends attached to a substrate and a body disposed between the first and second ends having a sinuous shape. The body includes a portion operative to engage a object of actuation and apply a force thereto in a direction perpendicular to the beam responsive to at least one of a compressive force and a tensile force on the beam. The sinuous shape may be sinusoidal, e.g., a shape approximating a single period of a cosine curve or a single period of a sine curve. The beam may be thermally actuated or driven by another actuator. In other embodiments, a rotary actuator includes first and second beams, a respective one of which has first and second ends attached to a substrate and a body disposed between the first and second ends. Each body includes first and second oppositely inflected portions. The bodies of the first and second beams intersect one another at points at which the first and second oppositely inflected portions of the first and second bodies meet. The bodies of the first and second beams are operative to engage the object of actuation and rotate the object of actuation around the point of intersection responsive to at least one of compressive force and tensile force on the first and second beams. Related methods are also described.
Abstract:
L'invention se rapporte à un procédé de fabrication d'une pièce mécanique (51) comportant les étapes suivantes : - se munir (3) d'un substrat (53) en un matériau micro-usinable ; - graver (5) par photolithographie, dans la totalité de l'épaisseur dudit substrat, un motif (50) comportant ladite pièce avec au moins un pont de matière (57) ; caractérisé en ce qu'il comporte en outre les étapes suivantes : - réaliser (13) une fragilisation à coeur du pont de matière (91) afin de former une amorce de rupture (91) le long d'une ligne de rupture (L) du pont de matière (57) ; - libérer (11) la pièce (51) du substrat (53) afin de la monter dans un dispositif.
Abstract:
A compliant micro device transfer head and head array are disclosed. In an embodiment a micro device transfer head includes a spring portion that is deflectable into a space between a base substrate and the spring portion.