Structure for membrane damping in a micromechanical modulator
First Claim
1. A micromechanical modulator operable at an operating frequency to modulate an optical signal, the modulator having two spaced layers, one of the layers being movable, wherein the movable layer has a first position relative to the other layer in the absence of a bias signal and a second position in the presence of a bias signal, wherein the change in position of the movable layer in response to the bias signal remits in a change in a measurable characteristic of the optical signal returned from the modulator, the modulator further comprising at least one transmission line mechanically communicating with the movable layer, wherein the transmission line is physically adapted to receive and dissipate an amount of energy from the movable layer sufficient to prevent the movable layer from vibrating after moving from the first position to the second position or from the second position to the first position.
8 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An improved micromechanical modulator that incorporates a mechanical transmission line for damping membrane vibration is disclosed. The modulator comprises a transmission line mechanically communicating with a vertically-movable membrane for receiving an optical signal. The membrane is supported over a substrate. Under the action of bias, the membrane moves toward the substrate, which causes a change in an optical property of the modulator. The transmission line receives and dissipates a sufficient amount of the energy developed in the membrane as it moves to prevent the membrane from vibrating. In one configuration, the modulator incorporates two strip-line transmission lines. In another configuration, the modulator incorporates two clamped-plate transmission lines.
53 Citations
22 Claims
- 1. A micromechanical modulator operable at an operating frequency to modulate an optical signal, the modulator having two spaced layers, one of the layers being movable, wherein the movable layer has a first position relative to the other layer in the absence of a bias signal and a second position in the presence of a bias signal, wherein the change in position of the movable layer in response to the bias signal remits in a change in a measurable characteristic of the optical signal returned from the modulator, the modulator further comprising at least one transmission line mechanically communicating with the movable layer, wherein the transmission line is physically adapted to receive and dissipate an amount of energy from the movable layer sufficient to prevent the movable layer from vibrating after moving from the first position to the second position or from the second position to the first position.
-
20. A micromechanical modulator for modulating an optical signal, comprising:
-
a substrate; a vertically-movable membrane that receives an optical signal, wherein the membrane is supported in a spaced and superposed relation to the substrate defining an air gap; a transmission line in mechanical communication with the membrane; and a device for supplying a bias signal to the membrane and substrate;
wherein,in the absence of the bias signal, the membrane has a first vertical position relative to the substrate and in the presence of the bias signal the membrane has a second vertical position relative to the substrate, wherein, there is a difference in an optical property of the modulator when the membrane is in its first vertical position as compared to its second vertical position, and further wherein the transmission line receives and dissipates a sufficient amount of the energy developed in the membrane as the membrane changes vertical position so that there is substantially no vibration in the membrane. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22)
-
Specification