Electromechanical devices having support structures
First Claim
1. An electromechanical device, comprising:
- a substrate;
an electrode layer located over the substrate;
a conductive movable layer located over the electrode layer, wherein the movable layer is generally spaced apart from the electrode layer by an air gap, and wherein the conductive movable layer is electrostatically displaceable towards the electrode; and
support structures underlying and extending adjacent at least a portion of the movable layer, each of the support structures having a depression in an upper surface of the support structure, wherein a portion of the movable layer extends between at least two of the support structures.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Embodiments of MEMS devices comprise a conductive movable layer spaced apart from a conductive fixed layer by a gap, and supported by rigid support structures, or rivets, overlying depressions in the conductive movable layer, or by posts underlying depressions in the conductive movable layer. In certain embodiments, both rivets and posts may be used. In certain embodiments, these support structures are formed from rigid inorganic materials, such as metals or oxides. In certain embodiments, etch barriers may also be deposited to facilitate the use of materials in the formation of support structures which are not selectively etchable with respect to other components within the MEMS device.
40 Citations
26 Claims
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1. An electromechanical device, comprising:
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a substrate; an electrode layer located over the substrate; a conductive movable layer located over the electrode layer, wherein the movable layer is generally spaced apart from the electrode layer by an air gap, and wherein the conductive movable layer is electrostatically displaceable towards the electrode; and support structures underlying and extending adjacent at least a portion of the movable layer, each of the support structures having a depression in an upper surface of the support structure, wherein a portion of the movable layer extends between at least two of the support structures. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. An electromechanical device, comprising:
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an electrode located over a substrate; a conductive movable layer spaced apart from the first electrode by an air gap, wherein the movable layer is electrostatically displaceable towards the electrode; and means for supporting said movable layer over said first electrode, wherein said supporting means underlies and extends adjacent at least a portion of the movable layer, each of said supporting means comprising a depression in an upper surface, wherein a portion of the movable layer extends between two of said supporting means. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21)
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22. An electromechanical device, comprising:
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a substrate; a partially reflective layer located over the substrate; a conductive movable layer located over the partially reflective layer, wherein the movable layer is generally spaced apart from the partially reflective layer by an air gap, and wherein the conductive movable layer is electrostatically displaceable towards the partially reflective layer; and support structures underlying and extending adjacent at least a portion of the movable layer, each of the support structures having a depression in an interior portion of an upper surface of the support structure, wherein a portion of the movable layer extends between at least two of the support structures. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification