System and method for micro-electromechanical operation of an interferometric modulator
First Claim
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1. An interferometric modulator, comprising:
- a first layer comprising a first reflective planar portion;
a second layer comprising a second reflective planar portion located substantially parallel to the first reflective planar portion, the second layer movable between a first position and a second position, the first position being a first distance from the first layer, the second position being a second distance from the first layer, the second distance being greater than the first distance; and
a member having a surface located between the first layer and the second layer, the member defining one or more gap regions between the first layer and the second layer when the second layer is in the first position, the surface comprising a dielectric material which contacts at least one of the first layer and the second layer when the second layer is in the first position.
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Abstract
An interferometric modulator is formed by a stationary layer and a mirror facing the stationary layer. The mirror is movable between the undriven and driven positions. Landing pads, bumps or spring clips are formed on at least one of the stationary layer and the mirror. The landing pads, bumps or spring clips can prevent the stationary layer and the mirror from contacting each other when the mirror is in the driven position. The spring clips exert force on the mirror toward the undriven position when the mirror is in the driven position and in contact with the spring clips.
560 Citations
26 Claims
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1. An interferometric modulator, comprising:
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a first layer comprising a first reflective planar portion; a second layer comprising a second reflective planar portion located substantially parallel to the first reflective planar portion, the second layer movable between a first position and a second position, the first position being a first distance from the first layer, the second position being a second distance from the first layer, the second distance being greater than the first distance; and a member having a surface located between the first layer and the second layer, the member defining one or more gap regions between the first layer and the second layer when the second layer is in the first position, the surface comprising a dielectric material which contacts at least one of the first layer and the second layer when the second layer is in the first position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A microelectromechanical device, comprising:
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a first surface having a first surface area; a second surface having a second surface area, the second surface being located substantially parallel to the first surface, the second surface movable between a first position and a second position, the first position being a first distance from the first surface, the second position being a second distance from the first surface, the second distance being greater than the first distance; and a third surface located between the first surface and the second surface, the third surface defining one or more gap regions between the first surface and the second surface when the second surface is in the first position, wherein the second surface in the one or more gap regions does not contact either the first surface or the third surface, and wherein the third surface comprises a dielectric material, and wherein the third surface provides a contact area which contacts at least one of the first surface and the second surface when the second surface is in the first position. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A microelectromechanical device, comprising:
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a first surface; a second surface located substantially parallel to the first surface, the second surface movable relative to the first surface between a driven position and an undriven position, wherein the driven position is closer to the first surface than is the undriven position; and at least one structure on at least one of the first surface and the second surface, wherein the at least one structure is compressed by the first surface and the second surface when the second surface is in the driven position, and wherein the at least one structure provides a force to the second surface when the second surface is in the driven position, the force assisting movement of the second surface from the driven position toward the undriven position. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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20. A method of making an interferometric modulator, the method comprising:
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providing a first layer comprising a first reflective planar portion; forming a second layer comprising a second reflective planar portion, the second reflective planar portion located substantially parallel to the first reflective planar portion, the second layer movable between a first position and a second position, the first position being a first distance from the first layer, the second position being a second distance from the first layer, the second distance being greater than the first distance; and forming a member comprising a surface located between the first layer and the second layer, the member defining one or more gap regions between the first layer and the second layer when the second layer is in the first position, the surface comprising a dielectric material which contacts at least one of the first layer and the second layer when the second layer is in the first position, wherein the second layer in the one or more gap regions does not contact either the first layer or the member. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification