Abstract:
It is possible to determine acceleration using an array of micro-machined elements. The invention described herein details how to do so by fabricating an array of structures with a substrate (610), addressing circuitry (612), a spacer layer (604) forming a well over the addressing circuitry, and a deflection element (606) over the well. The deflection elements are configured so each element is deflected by a higher acceleration. The invention also shows one embodiment of the invention.
Abstract:
A support pillar 408 for use with a micromechanical device, particularly a digital micromirror device, comprising a pillar material 404 supported by a substrate 400 and covered with a metal layer 406. The support pillar 408 is fabricated by depositing a layer of pillar material on a substrate 400, patterning the pillar layer to define a support pillar 408, and depositing a metal layer 406 over the support pillar 408 enclosing the support pillar. A planar surface even with the top of the pillar may be created by applying a spacer layer 410 over the pillars 408. After applying the spacer layer 410, holes 414 are patterned into the spacer layer to remove any spacer material that is covering the pillars. The spacer layer is then reflowed to fill the holes and lower the surface of the spacer layer such that the surface is coplanar with the tops of the support pillars 408.
Abstract:
An apparatus for measuring acceleration using micro-mechanical elements (20, 30, 60, 70, 120). One embodiment has one or more acceleration elements (10) wherein each element includes a mass (12) suspended at the ends thereof with a flexible hinge (13). The mass (12) may deflect in a first and second rotational direction about an axis in response to acceleration. Each element (10) further has electrodes (15) operable to sense deflection of the mass (12) when the mass (12) is deflected in either direction. Detection circuits (25, 65, 125) operate differently depending on whether the deflection is contacting, non-contacting, or feedback.
Abstract:
A method for printing or exposing photosensitive media is disclosed herein. The method uses standard spatial light modulators (10) with standard addressing circuitry. The data is written to the device (10) for the first row, the photosensitive media is exposed to the light reflected from the device, and the device is turned off. The data from the first row is then written to the second line of the device (14), and new data is loaded into the first line (12) of the device. The media is again exposed. This is repeated until the entire region of the drum is completely exposed. The device (10) can be repositioned to cover a different region of the drum and the process would be repeated.
Abstract:
It is possible to utilize changes in the complex effective refractive index caused by bringing a metal membrane in close proximity to the core of an optical waveguide to form many devices. The invention described herein provides structures and processes that do 50, the structure comprising a substrate (10), a lower cladding (14), a waveguide core (16), a removable upper cladding (18) which supports a metal membrane (22), and an electrode (12) for deflecting said membrane. Switchable devices using this structure include, but are not limited to, polarizers, mode converters, optical switches, Bragg devices, directional couplers and channel waveguides.
Abstract:
It is possible to determine acceleration using an array of micro-machined elements. The invention described herein details how to do so by fabricating an array of structures with a substrate (610), addressing circuitry (612), a spacer layer (604) forming a well over the addressing circuitry, and a deflection element (606) over the well. The deflection elements are configured so each element is deflected by a higher acceleration. The invention also shows one embodiment of the invention.