Electrode configuration for piano MEMs micromirror
First Claim
1. A method of rotating a micro electro-mechanical (MEMs) device about a first axis from a first tilted position to a second tilted position, while bypassing a third position therebetween, comprising the steps of:
- a) providing a pivoting member pivotally mounted above a substrate about the first axis and a second axis;
b) providing first and second electrodes on opposite sides of the first axis underneath the pivoting member for pivoting the first pivoting member about the first axis;
c) providing a third electrode along the first axis offset from the second axis for pivoting the pivoting member about the second axis;
d) gradually decreasing voltage to the first electrode, while gradually increasing voltage to the third electrode for rotating the pivoting member about the first axis away from the first position, and for rotating the pivoting member about the second axis, respectively; and
e) gradually decreasing voltage to the third electrode, while gradually increasing voltage to the second electrode for rotating the pivoting member about the second axis, and for rotating the pivoting member about the first axis, respectively, to the second position.
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Abstract
A micro-electro-mechanical (MEMs) mirror device for use in an optical switch is disclosed. A “piano”-style MEMs device includes an elongated platform pivotally mounted proximate the middle thereof by a torsional hinge. The middle portion of the platform and the torsional hinge have a combined width less than the width of the rest of the platform, whereby several of these “piano” MEMs devices can be positioned adjacent each other pivotally mounted about the same axis with only a relatively small air gap therebetween. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention specially designed for wavelength switching applications, a greater range of arcuate motion for a mirror mounted thereon is provided by enabling the platform to rotate about two perpendicular axes. The MEMs mirror device according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention enables the mirror to tilt about two perpendicular axes, by the use of an “internal” gimbal ring construction, which ensures that a plurality of adjacent mirror devices have a high fill factor, without having to rely on complicated and costly manufacturing processes.
43 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A method of rotating a micro electro-mechanical (MEMs) device about a first axis from a first tilted position to a second tilted position, while bypassing a third position therebetween, comprising the steps of:
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a) providing a pivoting member pivotally mounted above a substrate about the first axis and a second axis; b) providing first and second electrodes on opposite sides of the first axis underneath the pivoting member for pivoting the first pivoting member about the first axis; c) providing a third electrode along the first axis offset from the second axis for pivoting the pivoting member about the second axis; d) gradually decreasing voltage to the first electrode, while gradually increasing voltage to the third electrode for rotating the pivoting member about the first axis away from the first position, and for rotating the pivoting member about the second axis, respectively; and e) gradually decreasing voltage to the third electrode, while gradually increasing voltage to the second electrode for rotating the pivoting member about the second axis, and for rotating the pivoting member about the first axis, respectively, to the second position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification