Electrical x-talk shield for MEMS micromirrors
First Claim
1. A micro-electro-mechanical device mounted on a substrate comprising:
- a first pivoting member pivotally mounted above the substrate;
a second pivoting member pivotally mounted above the substrate adjacent the first pivoting member, wherein each of the first and second pivoting members includes first and second supporting regions on opposite sides of a first pivot axis;
a first electrode positioned below the first supporting region of the first pivoting member for actuating the first pivoting member;
a second electrode positioned below the first supporting region of the second pivoting member proximate the first electrode for actuating the second pivoting member;
a first shield positioned between the first and second electrodes extending upwardly from the substrate above an upper surface of the first electrode for shielding the first pivoting member from fringing electric fields from the second electrode;
a third electrode positioned below the second supporting region of the first pivoting member;
a fourth electrode positioned below the second supporting region of the second pivoting member; and
an additional shield extending upwardly from the substrate including shielding on opposite sides of the third and fourth electrode.
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Accused Products
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. To limit the amount of electrical crosstalk between adjacent mirrors, shielding can be positioned between the electrodes. The shielding can extend upwardly from the substrate and/or downwardly from the undersurface of the mirrors. When both types of shielding are provided, one set is offset from the other to prevent abutment thereof, and to enable an overlapping effect, which enhances the protection.
36 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A micro-electro-mechanical device mounted on a substrate comprising:
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a first pivoting member pivotally mounted above the substrate; a second pivoting member pivotally mounted above the substrate adjacent the first pivoting member, wherein each of the first and second pivoting members includes first and second supporting regions on opposite sides of a first pivot axis; a first electrode positioned below the first supporting region of the first pivoting member for actuating the first pivoting member; a second electrode positioned below the first supporting region of the second pivoting member proximate the first electrode for actuating the second pivoting member; a first shield positioned between the first and second electrodes extending upwardly from the substrate above an upper surface of the first electrode for shielding the first pivoting member from fringing electric fields from the second electrode; a third electrode positioned below the second supporting region of the first pivoting member; a fourth electrode positioned below the second supporting region of the second pivoting member; and an additional shield extending upwardly from the substrate including shielding on opposite sides of the third and fourth electrode. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A micro-electro-mechanical device mounted on a substrate comprising:
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a first pivoting member pivotally mounted above the substrate; a second pivoting member pivotally mounted above the substrate adjacent the first pivoting member with only an air gap therebetween; a first electrode for actuating the first pivoting member; a second electrode positioned proximate the first electrode for actuating the second pivoting member; and a first shield positioned between the first and second electrodes for shielding the first pivoting member from fringing electric fields from the second electrode; wherein the first shield includes an angled, curved or concave upper surface for redirecting light passing through the gap between the first and second pivoting members to prevent light from being reflected back through the air gap. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A micro-electro-mechanical device mounted on a substrate comprising:
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a first pivoting member pivotally mounted above the substrate; a second pivoting member pivotally mounted above the substrate adjacent the first pivoting member; a first electrode for actuating the first pivoting member; a second electrode positioned proximate the first electrode for actuating the second pivoting member; and a first shield positioned between the first and second electrodes for shielding the first pivoting member from fringing electric fields from the second electrode; wherein the first pivoting member includes a first supporting region; and
wherein the first electrode includes an upper step positioned underneath an inner end of the first supporting region, and a lower step positioned underneath an outer free end of the first supporting region. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 20)
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19. A micro-electro-mechanical device mounted on a substrate comprising;
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a plurality of platforms pivotally mounted above the substrate adjacent each other, and pivotable about the same or parallel axes; at least one electrode disposed beneath each of the platforms; and shielding positioned between each adjacent electrode for reducing fringing electric field from interfering with adjacent platforms; wherein the shielding extends downwardly from each of the platforms.
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Specification