Analog interferometric modulator device with electrostatic actuation and release
First Claim
1. A microelectromechanical system (MEMS) device comprising:
- a first electrode;
a second electrode electrically insulated from the first electrode;
a third electrode electrically insulated from the first electrode and the second electrode;
a support structure which separates the first electrode from the second electrode, the third electrode comprising a conductive portion of the support structure;
an optical stack comprising the first electrode, wherein the optical stack is partially transparent or translucent and at least partially reflective of light; and
a movable reflective element, wherein the optical stack and the reflective element define an interferometric optical cavity between the optical stack and the reflective element, the reflective element movable relative to the optical stack to modulate optical interference of the light by the interferometric optical cavity;
wherein the reflective element is located between a first position and a second position, the reflective element movable between the first position and the second position upon application of a voltage difference between the first electrode and the second electrode, the reflective element in contact with a portion of the optical stack when in the first position and not in contact with the portion of the optical stack when in the second position;
wherein an adhesive force is generated between the reflective element and the portion when the reflective element is in the first position, and wherein voltages applied to the first electrode, the second electrode, and the third electrode at least partially reduce or counteract the adhesive force.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A microelectromechanical system (MEMS) device includes a first electrode, a second electrode electrically insulated from the first electrode, and a third electrode electrically insulated from the first electrode and the second electrode. The MEMS device also includes a support structure which separates the first electrode from the second electrode and a reflective element located and movable between a first position and a second position. The reflective element is in contact with a portion of the device when in the first position and is not in contact with the portion of the device when in the second position. An adhesive force is generated between the reflective element and the portion when the reflective element is in the first position. Voltages applied to the first electrode, the second electrode, and the third electrode at least partially reduce or counteract the adhesive force.
557 Citations
51 Claims
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1. A microelectromechanical system (MEMS) device comprising:
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a first electrode; a second electrode electrically insulated from the first electrode; a third electrode electrically insulated from the first electrode and the second electrode; a support structure which separates the first electrode from the second electrode, the third electrode comprising a conductive portion of the support structure; an optical stack comprising the first electrode, wherein the optical stack is partially transparent or translucent and at least partially reflective of light; and a movable reflective element, wherein the optical stack and the reflective element define an interferometric optical cavity between the optical stack and the reflective element, the reflective element movable relative to the optical stack to modulate optical interference of the light by the interferometric optical cavity; wherein the reflective element is located between a first position and a second position, the reflective element movable between the first position and the second position upon application of a voltage difference between the first electrode and the second electrode, the reflective element in contact with a portion of the optical stack when in the first position and not in contact with the portion of the optical stack when in the second position; wherein an adhesive force is generated between the reflective element and the portion when the reflective element is in the first position, and wherein voltages applied to the first electrode, the second electrode, and the third electrode at least partially reduce or counteract the adhesive force. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A microelectromechanical system (MEMS) device comprising:
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a first means for conducting electricity; a second means for conducting electricity, the second conducting means electrically insulated from the first conducting means; a third means for conducting electricity, the third conducting means electrically insulated from the first conducting means and the second conducting means; means for separating the first conducting means from the second conducting means, the third conducting means comprising a conductive portion of the separating means; a first means for reflecting light, wherein the first reflecting means comprises the first conducting means and is partially transparent or translucent and at least partially reflective of light; and a second means for reflecting light, wherein the first reflecting means and the second reflecting means define an interferometric optical cavity between the first reflecting means and the second reflecting means, the second reflecting means movable relative to the first reflecting means to modulate optical interference of the light by the interferometric optical cavity; wherein the second reflecting means is located between a first position and a second position, the second reflecting means movable between the first position and the second position upon application of a voltage difference between the first conducting means and the second conducting means, the second reflecting means in contact with a portion of the first reflecting means when in the first position and not in contact with the portion of the first reflecting means when in the second position; wherein an adhesive force is generated between the second reflecting means and the portion when the second reflecting means is in the first position, and wherein voltages applied to the first conducting means, the second conducting means, and the third conducting means at least partially reduce or counteract the adhesive force while the second reflecting means is in the first position. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37)
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38. A method of operating a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) device, the method comprising:
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providing a MEMS device comprising; a first electrode; a second electrode electrically insulated from the first electrode; a third electrode electrically insulated from the first electrode and the second electrode; a support structure which separates the first electrode from the second electrode, the third electrode comprising a conductive portion of the support structure; an optical stack comprising the first electrode, wherein the optical stack is partially transparent or translucent and at least partially reflective of light; and a movable reflective element, wherein the optical stack and the reflective element define an interferometric optical cavity between the optical stack and the reflective element, the reflective element movable relative to the optical stack to modulate optical interference of the light by the interferometric optical cavity; the reflective element located between a first position and a second position, the reflective element movable between the first position and the second position upon application of a voltage difference between the first electrode and the second electrode, the reflective element in contact with a portion of the optical stack when in the first position and not in contact with the portion of the optical stack when in the second position, wherein an adhesive force is generated between the reflective element and the portion when the reflective element is in the first position; and applying voltages to the first electrode, the second electrode, and the third electrode to at least partially reduce or counteract the adhesive force. - View Dependent Claims (39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47)
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48. A method of manufacturing a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) device comprising:
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forming a first reflective layer on a substrate; forming a sacrificial layer over the first reflective layer; removing a portion of the sacrificial layer to form an opening; filling the opening with a dielectric material to form a post; forming a second reflective layer over the sacrificial layer; removing a portion of the second reflective layer and a portion of the post to form a hole; filling the hole with a conductive material to form an electrode; and removing the sacrificial layer. - View Dependent Claims (49, 50, 51)
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Specification