Microelectromechanical system optical apparatus and method
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Accused Products
Abstract
A microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) apparatus (100) having a footprint of about 1 to 10 millimeters by about 1 to 10 millimeters comprises a movable member (101) that can be stopped at either of at least two positions by electrically neutral stops (105, 107). Depending upon the needs of a given application, these stops may all be fabricated using materials deposition and removal techniques or some, though not all, may comprise an attached component.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. (canceled)
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2. A microelectromechanical system (MEMS) apparatus comprising:
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a movable member comprising two movable end portions that is movable between at least a first position and a second position;
an optical component disposed on the movable member, such that the optical component comprises a part of a first optical path when the movable member is in the first position and a part of a second optical path when the movable member is in the second position;
a plurality of electrically-neutral stops, comprising at least a first stop that prevents movement of the movable member beyond the first position and a second stop that prevents movement of the movable member beyond the second position;
wherein the at least a first stop further comprises at least a first pair of stops, wherein a first one of the first pair of stops is disposed to contact a first end of the movable member when the movable member is in the first position and a second one of the first pair of stops is disposed to contact a second end of the movable member when the movable member is in the first position. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10)
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8. A microelectromechanical system (MEMS) apparatus comprising:
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a movable member comprising two movable end portions that is movable between at least a first position and a second position;
an optical component disposed on the movable member, such that the optical component comprises a part of a first optical path when the movable member is in the first position and a part of a second optical path when the movable member is in the second position;
a plurality of electrically-neutral stops, comprising at least a first stop that prevents movement of the movable member beyond the first position and a second stop that prevents movement of the movable member beyond the second position;
wherein the movable member comprises a beam that pivots about at least a first pivot axis and a second pivot axis, which second pivot axis is different from the first pivot axis.
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11. (canceled)
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12. (canceled)
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13. A microelectromechanical system (MEMS) apparatus comprising:
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a plurality of electrical circuit elements;
an optical element responsive, at least in part, to selective energization of at least one of the plurality of electrical circuit elements;
wherein at least one of the plurality of electrical circuit elements comprises an element that is formed via a material deposition process and at least one of the plurality of electrical circuit elements comprises an attached element;
wherein the attached element comprises a part of a capacitor and a shell comprised of electrically insulating material and electrically conductive material. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. (canceled)
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20. A microelectromechanical system (MEMS) apparatus comprising:
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a pivoting movable member that is movable between at least a first position and a second position, wherein the movable member is comprised, in substantial part, of at least one of;
electrically conductive metal;
polyimide in combination with an electrically conductive metal;
an optical component disposed on the movable member, such that the optical component comprises a part of a first optical path when the movable member is in the first position and a part of a second optical path when the movable member is in the second position;
a discrete shell disposed over at least the movable member, wherein the discrete shell comprises, at least in part, electrically conductive elements to facilitate selective movement of the movable member.
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Specification