Apparatus for adjusting the resonance frequency of a microelectromechanical (MEMS) resonator using tensile/compressive strain and applications therefor
First Claim
1. A method comprising:
- providing a resonator beam having a first end and a second end, the resonator beam suspended above a substrate by the first end and the second end;
providing a lever arm, the lever arm being connected to a pivot and to the first end of the resonator beam; and
using an actuator to apply an actuation force to the lever arm to apply strain onto the resonator beam, wherein the positions on the lever arm where the first end of the resonator beam is connected and where the actuation force is applied are on the same side of the pivot.
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Abstract
A method for varying the resonance frequency of a resonator beam is disclosed. The method comprises first manufacturing a resonator beam having a first end and a second end. The resonator beam is suspended above a substrate by the first end and the second end. At least one end of the resonator beam is connected to an actuator that applies an actuation force to the resonator beam to apply tensile strain or compressive strain onto said resonator beam. By varying the amount of actuation force, the resonance frequency of the resonator beam may be tuned. Additionally, by varying the magnitude and direction of the actuation force, the resonator beam may be used as a temperature sensor or a temperature compensated resonator.
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Citations
33 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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providing a resonator beam having a first end and a second end, the resonator beam suspended above a substrate by the first end and the second end;
providing a lever arm, the lever arm being connected to a pivot and to the first end of the resonator beam; and
using an actuator to apply an actuation force to the lever arm to apply strain onto the resonator beam, wherein the positions on the lever arm where the first end of the resonator beam is connected and where the actuation force is applied are on the same side of the pivot. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method comprising:
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providing a resonator beam having a first end and a second end, the resonator beam suspended above a substrate by the first end and the second end;
applying an actuation force to at least one of the first end and the second end, the actuation force creating a temperature-dependent compressive strain in the resonator beam. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method comprising:
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providing a resonator beam having a first end and a second end, the resonator beam suspended above a substrate by the first end and the second end;
providing a lever arm, the lover arm being connected to a pivot and to the first end of the resonator beam; and
using an actuator to apply an actuation force to the lever arm to apply strain onto the resonator beam, wherein the positions on the lever arm where the first end of the resonator beam is connected and where the actuation force is applied are on opposite sides of the pivot. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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Specification