Apparatus and method for reducing slippage between structures in an interferometric modulator
First Claim
1. A microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) device, comprising:
- a substrate layer comprising a first reflective surface and a transparent substrate underlying the first reflective surface, the first reflective surface being partially transmissive, the first reflective surface formed on the transparent substrate;
a movable layer comprising a second reflective surface, the second reflective surface being spaced from the first reflective surface to thereby define an interferometric cavity;
a support structure positioned at a side of the cavity and configured to separate at least a portion of the substrate layer from at least a portion of the moveable layer; and
a roughened interface between a surface of the support structure and a surface of the substrate layer connected to the surface of the support structure, the roughened interface being configured to increase adhesion between the support structure and the substrate layer.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A support structure within an interferometric modulator device may contact various other structures within the device. Increased bond strengths between the support structure and the other structures may be achieved in various ways, such as by providing roughened surfaces and/or adhesive materials at the interfaces between the support structures and the other structures. In an embodiment, increased adhesion is achieved between a support structure and a substrate layer. In another embodiment, increased adhesion is achieved between a support structure and a moveable layer. Increased adhesion may reduce undesirable slippage between the support structures and the other structures to which they are attached within the interferometric modulator.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. A microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) device, comprising:
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a substrate layer comprising a first reflective surface and a transparent substrate underlying the first reflective surface, the first reflective surface being partially transmissive, the first reflective surface formed on the transparent substrate; a movable layer comprising a second reflective surface, the second reflective surface being spaced from the first reflective surface to thereby define an interferometric cavity; a support structure positioned at a side of the cavity and configured to separate at least a portion of the substrate layer from at least a portion of the moveable layer; and a roughened interface between a surface of the support structure and a surface of the substrate layer connected to the surface of the support structure, the roughened interface being configured to increase adhesion between the support structure and the substrate layer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 24, 25, 26)
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10. An interferometric modulator comprising:
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means for interferometrically modulating light, the modulating means comprising a fixed layer and a movable layer spaced apart from the fixed layer, the fixed layer comprising a first reflective surface formed on a transparent substrate, the first reflective surface being partially transmissive, the movable layer comprising a second reflective surface; means for supporting the moveable layer over the fixed layer; and means for bonding the support means to the fixed layer, the bonding means being formed on the fixed layer and comprising a roughened interface configured to increase adhesion between the supporting means and the fixed layer. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 22, 23)
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Specification