Micromirror systems with concealed multi-piece hinge structures

• US 6,906,848 B2
• Filed: 02/24/2003
• Issued: 06/14/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 02/24/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SK Hynix Inc.
• Original Assignee: Exajoule, LLC
• Inventors: Aubuchon, Christopher M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lester, Evelyn A.
• Application Number:
  US10/374,574
• Publication Number:
  US 20040165249A1
• Time in Patent Office: 841 Days
• Field of Search: 359290-292, 359/298, 359/223, 359/224
• US Class Current: 359/291
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 26/0841 the reflecting element being moved or deformed by electrostatic means
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 26/085 the reflecting means being moved or deformed by electromagnetic means
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 26/0858 the reflecting means being moved or deformed by piezoelectric means
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 26/0866 the reflecting means being moved or deformed by thermal means

Abstract

Micromirror systems with concealed multi-piece hinge structures are provided for reflective applications. Generally, light is reflected by these structures adapted for three-dimensional tilt as well as up-and-down or out-of-plane actuation. Devices can be produced utilizing the various optional features described herein to provide miniaturized, highly controllable solutions for use in optical switching, projection and other applications, especially optical applications.

Claims

1. A micromirror device comprising:

a substrate with electrical components including address circuitry;

a micromirror having a reflective surface; and

a support structure underlying said micromirror so as to be concealed from view when viewed from a direction normal to said reflective surface and interconnecting said substrate and said micromirror, said support structure including at plurality of deflection members, each deflection member mounted to said substrate and said micromirror, and configured to permit rotation of said micromirror about multiple axes of rotation end drawing said micromirror toward said substrate in a manner sufficient to provide a device capable of both tilt and phase correction.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein two deflection members are provided and mounted to two opposite ends of said micromirror.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein said two opposite ends of said micromirror are opposite corners.

4. The device of claim 2, wherein said two opposite ends of said micromirror are opposite sides.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein three deflection members are provided and mounted to ends of said micromirror inopposite of one another.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein said ends of said micromirror are corners.

7. The device of claim 5, wherein said ends of said micromirror are sides.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein said three deflection members are mounted adjacent to corners of said micromirror.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein said deflection members are mounted to said micromirror at substantially equally spaced intervals.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein said deflection members are mounted to said mirror in a pattern with bilateral symmetry.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein said deflection members are mounted to said mirror in a pattern with three-way symmetry.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein said micromirror is substantially quadrilateral.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein said micromirror is substantially square.

14. The device of claim 1, wherein said micromirror is substantially hexagonal.

15. The device of claim 1, wherein said deflection members are mounted to said substrate at a common location.

16. The device of claim 1, wherein said deflection members are mounted to said substrate at discrete locations.

17. The device of claim 1, wherein said deflection members comprise at least one portion having a component in one direction and another portion having a component in another direction.

18. The device of claim 17, wherein said components are provided in a plane.

19. The device of claim 17, wherein said portions are provided by straight sections.

20. The device of claim 19, wherein said portions are provided by curved sections.

21. The device of claim 17, wherein said components are provided in two different directions.

22. The device of claim 17, wherein said components are provided in three different directions.

23. The device of claim 1, wherein said micromirror has a diameter of less than or equal to about 1 mm.

24. The device of claim 23, wherein said micromirror has a diameter of less than about 10 microns.

25. The device of claim 1, wherein said electrical components further comprise electrodes adapted to apply attractive forces to said micromirror.

26. A micromirror array comprising, a plurality of devices as described in claim 1.

27. The array of claim 26, wherein a common mounting portion to said substrate is provided for adjacent deformable members.

28. An optical switching mechanism, comprising:

a first array of optical reflectors adapted to receive and reflect optical signals from at least one optical input source; and

a second array of optical reflectors adapted to receive optical signals reflected from said first array of optical reflectors and reflect the optical signals toward at least one optical output;

wherein at least one of said optical reflectors comprising an assembly of micromirror devices according to claim 1.

29. The optical switching mechanism of claim 28, wherein each said micromirror device of said at least one assembly of micromirror devices is adapted for independent three dimensional orientation.

30. The optical switching mechanism of claim 28, wherein each said optical reflector comprises an assembly of micromirror devices.

31. The optical switching mechanism of claim 30, wherein each said micromirror device is adapted for independent three dimensional orientation.

32. The optical switching mechanism of claim 28, wherein each said assembly of micromirror devices forms a smart surface.

33. A method of optical switching, comprising:

providing an optical switching mechanism as described in claim 28;

directing light through said optical switching mechanism; and

switching light between a plurality of channels.

34. A micromirror device comprising:

a substrate with electrical components including address circuitry;

a micromirror; and

a support structure underlying said micromirror and interconnecting said substrate and said micromirror, said support structure including at plurality of deflection members, each deflection member mounted to said substrate and said micromirror, and configured to permit rotation of said micromirror about multiple axes of rotation and drawing said micromirror toward said substrate,

wherein said electrical components further comprise electrodes adapted to apply attractive forces to said micromirror, and

wherein at least one of said electrodes is configured with a plurality of portions at different levels, so that portions further from a center of rotation of said micromirror are at a greater distance from the micromirror than portions closer to the center of rotation.

35. The device of claim 34, wherein each of said electrodes comprises a stepped configuration.

36. The device of claim 34, wherein said electrode portions of each said electrode are continuous with one another.

37. The device of claim 34, wherein said portions are discrete members.

38. The device of claim 34, wherein each said electrode comprises a continuous angled member.

39. The device of claim 34, wherein said portions of each said electrode form an electrode array, and wherein at least one of said portions of at least one of said electrodes is addressable independently of the other of said portions.

40. The device of claim 39, wherein each said portion is independently addressable.