Microelectromechanical (MEMS) switching apparatus
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Abstract
This application discloses a microelectromechanical (MEMS) switch apparatus comprising an anchor attached to a substrate and an electrically conductive beam attached to the anchor and in electrical contact therewith. The beam comprises a tapered portion having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end being attached to the anchor, an actuation portion attached to the distal end of the tapered portion, a tip attached to the actuation portion, the tip having a contact dimple thereon. The switch apparatus also includes an actuation electrode attached to the substrate and positioned between the actuation portion and the substrate. Additional embodiments are also described and claimed.
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Citations
76 Claims
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1-48. -48. (cancelled)
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49. A method comprising:
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forming an actuation electrode over a portion of a substrate;
forming an electrode over a second portion of the substrate;
forming an anchor over a third portion of the substrate;
forming an electrically conductive beam attached to the anchor;
forming an actuation portion attached to the beam and positioned opposite the actuation electrode;
forming a tip attached to the actuation portion; and
forming a contact dimple attached to the tip. - View Dependent Claims (50, 51, 52)
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53. A method comprising:
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forming a signal line over a portion of a substrate;
forming a first actuation electrode over a second portion of the substrate;
forming a first anchor over a third portion of the substrate;
forming a first electrically conductive beam attached to the first anchor;
forming a first actuation portion attached to the first beam and positioned opposite the first actuation electrode;
forming a first tip attached to the first actuation portion; and
forming a first contact dimple attached to the first tip and opposite the signal line. - View Dependent Claims (54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59)
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60. A method comprising:
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forming a first signal line over a portion of a substrate;
forming a second signal line over a second portion of the substrate, wherein the second signal line is electrically insulated from the first signal line;
forming a first actuation electrode over a third portion of the substrate;
forming a first anchor over a fourth portion of the substrate;
forming first and second electrically conductive beams attached to the first anchor;
forming a first actuation portion attached to the first and second beams and positioned opposite the first actuation electrode;
forming first and second tips attached to the first actuation portion;
forming a first contact dimple attached to the first tip and opposite the first signal line; and
forming a second contact dimple attached to the second tip and opposite the second signal line. - View Dependent Claims (61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66)
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67. A method comprising:
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forming an actuation region buried in a dielectric layer, wherein the dielectric layer is formed over a substrate;
forming first and second dielectric pads over the dielectric layer;
forming an electrode over the dielectric layer and coupled to the actuation region;
forming a signal line over the dielectric layer;
forming a beam, wherein the beam comprises;
attachments that attach the beam to the first and second dielectric pads, an actuation portion opposite the electrode, and a contact portion having a contact dimple formed thereon and opposite the signal line. - View Dependent Claims (68, 69, 70, 71, 72)
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73. A method comprising:
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forming an actuation region buried in a dielectric layer, wherein the dielectric layer is formed over a substrate;
forming first and second dielectric pads over the dielectric layer;
forming an electrode over the dielectric layer and coupled to the actuation region;
forming first and second signal lines over the dielectric layer, wherein the first and second signal line are electrically isolated;
forming a first beam, wherein the first beam comprises;
attachments that attach the first beam to the first and second dielectric pads, a contact portion having a contact dimple formed thereon and opposite the first signal line, and an actuation portion opposite of the electrode; and
forming a second beam, wherein the second beam comprises;
attachments that attach the second beam to the first and second dielectric pads, and a contact portion having a contact dimple formed thereon and opposite the second signal line, wherein the first and second beams share the actuation portion. - View Dependent Claims (74, 75, 76)
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Specification