Optical switches with uniaxial mirrors
First Claim
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1. An electrostatic actuator comprising:
- a. an actuated member;
b. a first comb extending from the actuated member, the first comb including a first plurality of comb teeth having a first plurality of interconnected tooth ends and a second plurality of interconnected tooth ends;
c. a second comb including a second plurality of comb teeth interdigitated to an extent with the first plurality of comb teeth; and
d. a voltage source applying a bias voltage between the first and second combs;
e. wherein increasing the bias voltage increases the extent to which the first and second pluralities of comb teeth are interdigitated.
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Abstract
Described are various optical, opto-electrical and electrical components and subsystems. Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) actuators that employ electrostatic combs adjust uniaxial, unidirectional or bidirectional mirrors between two basic positions with optical power control, one position for each of two switch configurations. Limiting the switching mirrors to two positions limits flexibility, but greatly reduces system cost and complexity, and simplifies beam alignment. In one embodiment, a frame surrounding the comb teeth maintains spacing between teeth to prevent electrical shorts.
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Citations
27 Claims
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1. An electrostatic actuator comprising:
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a. an actuated member;
b. a first comb extending from the actuated member, the first comb including a first plurality of comb teeth having a first plurality of interconnected tooth ends and a second plurality of interconnected tooth ends;
c. a second comb including a second plurality of comb teeth interdigitated to an extent with the first plurality of comb teeth; and
d. a voltage source applying a bias voltage between the first and second combs;
e. wherein increasing the bias voltage increases the extent to which the first and second pluralities of comb teeth are interdigitated. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An actuator comprising:
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a. a first electrical contact connected to a first voltage source;
b. a second electrical contact connected to a second voltage source;
c. a first conductive layer connected to the first voltage source via the first electrical contact;
d. a second conductive layer connected to the second voltage source via the second electrical contact; and
e. an insulating layer of an insulating-layer thickness disposed between the first and second conductive layers;
f. wherein a portion of the first conductive layer approaches the second conductive layer in response to a voltage potential applied between the first and second electrical contacts; and
g. wherein the insulating layer forms a ledge separating the first and second conductive layers by a surface conduction path greater than the insulating layer thickness. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. An actuator comprising:
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a. a substrate;
b. an actuated member connected to the substrate and having a rotational axis parallel to the substrate;
c. first and second movable combs extending from the actuated member on either side of the rotational axis from a perspective normal to the substrate;
d. first and second fixed combs connected to the substrate, wherein the first and second fixed combs are on opposite sides of the rotational axis from the perspective normal to the substrate; and
e. a hinge connecting the movable combs to the substrate, the hinge having a hinge thickness in a dimension normal to the substrate and a hinge width in a dimension parallel to the substrate, wherein the hinge thickness is less than the hinge width. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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Specification