Micromirror array assembly with in-array pillars
First Claim
1. A microelectromechanical (MEMS) device, comprising:
- a first substrate and a second substrate;
a plurality of MEMS elements formed on the first substrate; and
a plurality of pillars disposed between the second substrate and the MEMS elements.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides a microstructure device comprising multiple substrates with the components of the device formed on the substrates. In order to maintain uniformity of the gap between the substrates, a plurality of pillars is provided and distributed in the gap so as to prevent decrease of the gap size. The increase of the gap size can be prevented by bonding the pillars to the components of the microstructure. Alternatively, the increase of the gap size can be prevented by maintaining the pressure inside the gap below the pressure under which the microstructure will be in operation. Electrical contact of the substrates on which the micromirrors and electrodes are formed can be made through many ways, such as electrical contact areas, electrical contact pads and electrical contact springs.
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Citations
35 Claims
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1. A microelectromechanical (MEMS) device, comprising:
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a first substrate and a second substrate; a plurality of MEMS elements formed on the first substrate; and a plurality of pillars disposed between the second substrate and the MEMS elements. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 20, 21, 30, 31, 32)
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10. A microelectromechanical (MEMS) device, comprising:
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a first substrate and a second substrate; a plurality of MEMS elements formed on the first substrate; a plurality of pillars disposed between the second substrate and the MEMS elements; a sealing material disposed between the substrates for bonding the substrates, the sealing material comprising; a first metallization material disposed on a sacrificial material that is disposed on the substrate on which the micromirrors are formed; and a second metallization material disposed on a layer composed of the material of the pillar, wherein said layer and the second metallization material are disposed on the second substrate.
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18. A microelectromechanical (MEMS) device comprising:
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a first substrate and a second substrate; an array of micromirrors formed on the first substrate, at least one micromirror of the array of micromirrors comprises; a post on the first substrate; a hinge held by the post on the first substrate; and a reflective mirror plate attached to the hinge such that the mirror plate is operable to rotate on the first substrate; an array of electrodes and circuitry on the second substrate for moving the micromirrors; and a plurality of pillars disposed between the second substrate and the MEMS elements, wherein the pillar is connected to the post of the micromirror. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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19. A microelectromechanical (MEMS) device comprising:
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a first substrate and a second substrate; an array of micromirrors formed on the first substrate, at least one micromirror of the array of micromirrors comprises; a post on the first substrate; a hinge held by the post on the first substrate; and a reflective mirror plate attached to the hinge such that the mirror plate is operable to rotate on the first substrate; an array of electrodes and circuitry on the second substrate for moving the micromirrors; and a plurality of pillars disposed between the second substrate and the MEMS elements, wherein each micromirror has two adjacent posts on the first substrate, each post being connected to a pillar.
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29. A microelectromechanical (MEMS) device comprising:
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a first substrate and a second substrate; a plurality of MEMS elements formed on the first substrate; and a plurality of pillars disposed between the second substrate and the MEMS elements, wherein at least one of the substrates is deformed and the pillars are distributed within an area between the substrates according to a distribution of deformation of the at least one deformed substrate.
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33. A microelectromechanical (MEMS) device, comprising:
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a first substrate and a second substrate wherein the first and second substrates are bonded together through a sealing material; a plurality of MEMS elements formed on the first substrate wherein the MEMS elements are an array of reflective and deflectable micromirrors; a plurality of pillars disposed between the second substrate and the MEMS elements; at least two electrical contact pads on the first substrate, each of which is electrically connected to the micromirrors such that an electrical resistance of the micromirrors of the array can be measured through the electrical contact pads; an array of electrodes associated with the micromirrors for deflecting the micromirrors; and a shim that electrically connects the electrical contact pads and a package substrate to which the bonded substrates are attached such that the electrical contact pads are extended to the package substrate. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35)
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Specification