Bouncing mode operated scanning micro-mirror
First Claim
1. A MEMS apparatus for scanning an optical beam comprising:
- a. a mirror operative to perform a rotational motion to a maximum rotation angle around a mirror rotation axis; and
b. a bouncing mechanism operative to provide a bouncing event and to reverse said rotational motion, wherein said bouncing mechanism includes at least one first comb drive stator;
whereby said bouncing event provides said mirror with a piecewise linear response to actuation by intrinsically nonlinear forces.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A MEMS apparatus for scanning an optical beam comprises a mirror operative to perform a rotational motion to a maximum rotation angle around a mirror rotation axis formed in a double active layer silicon-on-insulator (SOI) substrate. The apparatus may include a bouncing mechanism operative to provide a bouncing event and to reverse the rotational motion. The bouncing event provides the mirror with a piecewise linear response to actuation by intrinsically nonlinear electrostatic forces. In a particular embodiment, the bouncing mechanism includes a vertical comb drive stator built in the same active layer of the double active layer SOI substrate, while actuator comb drive stators are built in a different active layer.
-
Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A MEMS apparatus for scanning an optical beam comprising:
-
a. a mirror operative to perform a rotational motion to a maximum rotation angle around a mirror rotation axis; and b. a bouncing mechanism operative to provide a bouncing event and to reverse said rotational motion, wherein said bouncing mechanism includes at least one first comb drive stator;
whereby said bouncing event provides said mirror with a piecewise linear response to actuation by intrinsically nonlinear forces. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
-
-
6. A MEMS apparatus for scanning an optical beam comprising:
-
a. a double active layer silicon-on-insulator (DSOI) substrate having a first active Si layer, a substrate Si layer and a second active Si layer intermediate between said first active Si layer and said substrate Si layer; b. a mirror formed in said first active Si layer and operative to perform a tilting motion to a maximum tilting angle around a mirror rotation axis; and c. a vertical comb drive actuator having a first comb drive actuator element formed in said second active Si layer and operative to provide said tilting motion. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8)
-
- 9. A tilting micro-mirror formed in a double active layer silicon-on-insulator (DSOI) substrate having, in order, a stacked structure of a first active Si layer, a second active Si layer and a substrate Si layer and actuated by a vertical comb drive formed in the same DSOI substrate, wherein said vertical comb drive includes at least one rotor formed in said first active Si layer and at least one stator formed in said second active Si layer.
-
11. A method for controlling the path of a light beam reflected by a reflecting element formed in a double active layer silicon-on-insulator (DSOI) substrate having, in order, a stacked structure of a first active Si layer, a second active Si layer and a substrate Si layer, the method comprising the steps of:
-
a. providing at least one vertical comb drive having comb-drive elements formed in both active Si layers of said DSOI substrate; and b. using said at least one vertical comb drive to tilt said reflecting element, thereby controlling said light beam path. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13)
-
-
14. A MEMS apparatus for scanning an optical beam formed in a double active layer silicon-on-insulator (DSOI) substrate that includes, in order, a stacked structure of a first active Si layer, a second active Si layer and a substrate Si layer, the apparatus comprising:
-
a. a micro-mirror formed in said first active Si layer; and b. a vertical comb drive operative to impart a tilting motion to said micro-mirror and comprising a rotor and a first stator, wherein said rotor is formed entirely and solely in said first active Si layer and said first stator is formed entirely and solely in said second active Si layer. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18)
-
-
19. A method for forming a scanning micro-mirror in a double active silicon-on-insulator (DSOI) substrate that includes, in order, a stacked structure of a first active Si layer, a second active Si layer and a substrate Si layer, the method comprising the steps of:
-
a. forming a micro-mirror in said first active Si layer; and b. forming a vertical comb drive operative to impart a tilting motion to said micro-mirror, said vertical comb drive comprising a rotor and a stator, wherein said rotor is formed entirely and solely in said first active Si layer and wherein said stator is formed entirely and solely in said second active Si layer. - View Dependent Claims (20)
-
Specification