Micro-mechanical modulator having an improved membrane configuration
First Claim
1. A membrane structure for use in an optical modulator, comprising:
- a flexible membrane having peripheral regions and a centrally located central region;
a first area of conductive material disposed on said flexible membrane in said central region;
one or more second areas of conductive material disposed on said flexible membrane in said peripheral regions, wherein said one or more second areas of conductive material share a common electrical potential and are electrically isolated from said first area of conductive material.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An optical modulator that contains a flexible dielectric membrane suspended over a substrate. The flexible membrane is made of a dielectric material such as silicon nitride. In one embodiment of the invention, the flexible membrane has an optically active region. A contact region is maintained in the vicinity of the optically active region which is electrically isolated therefrom. The contact region which includes a conductive material draws accumulated charge build-up from the optically active region. In another embodiment a first area of conductive material is formed on at least one surface of the flexible membrane proximate its center. At least one second area of conductive material is formed on at least one surface of the flexible membrane surrounding the first area. The first area of conductive material is kept electrically isolated from the surrounding second area. The first area of conductive material is coupled to an electrical ground. When an electrical potential is applied between the flexible membrane and the below-lying substrate, only the second areas of conductive material are affected. As a result, only the second areas of conductive material act to deform the membrane. The first area of conductive material in the center of the membrane remains unaffected and ensures that the membrane deforms in a uniform manner.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A membrane structure for use in an optical modulator, comprising:
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a flexible membrane having peripheral regions and a centrally located central region; a first area of conductive material disposed on said flexible membrane in said central region; one or more second areas of conductive material disposed on said flexible membrane in said peripheral regions, wherein said one or more second areas of conductive material share a common electrical potential and are electrically isolated from said first area of conductive material. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A modulator for modulating an optical signal, comprising:
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a substrate; a flexible membrane having a top surface, a bottom surface, a central region and peripheral regions surrounding said central region, wherein said flexible membrane is suspended over said substrate; a first area of conductive material disposed on at least one surface of said flexible membrane in said central region; and one or more second areas of conductive material disposed on at least one surface of said flexible membrane in said peripheral regions, wherein said one or more second areas of conductive material share a common electrical potential and are electrically isolated from said first area of conductive material. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A method of manufacturing an optical modulator:
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providing a substrate; providing a flexible membrane having a top surface, a bottom surface, a central region and peripheral regions surrounding said central region; and placing a first area of conductive material on said central region of said flexible membrane; placing one or more second areas of conductive material on said peripheral region of said flexible membrane, wherein said one or more second areas of conductive material shares a common electrical potential and is electrically isolated from said first area of conductive material; and coupling said first area of conductive material to ground. - View Dependent Claims (24)
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Specification