Abstract:
A MEMS switch contains an RF electrode 102, pull-down electrodes 104 and anchor electrodes 108 located on a substrate 101. A plurality of islands 226 are provided in the pull-down electrode and electrically isolated therefrom. On top of the RF electrode is the RF contact 206 to which the MEMS-bridge 212, 214 forms an ohmic contact in the pulled-down state. The pull-down electrodes 104 are covered with a dielectric layer 202 to avoid a short-circuit between the bridge and the pull-down electrode. Contact stoppers 224 are disposed on the dielectric layer 202 at locations corresponding to the islands 226, and the resulting gap between the bridge and the dielectric layer in the pulled-down state reduces dielectric charging. In alternative embodiments, the contact stoppers are provide within the dielectric layer 202 or disposed on the islands themselves and under the dielectric layer. The switch provides good controllability of the contact resistance of MEMS switches over a wide voltage operating range.
Abstract:
The present invention generally relates to an architecture for isolating an RF MEMS device from a substrate and driving circuit, series and shunt DVC die architectures, and smaller MEMS arrays for high frequency communications. The semiconductor device has one or more cells with a plurality of MEMS devices therein. The MEMS device operates by applying an electrical bias to either a pull-up electrode or a pull-down electrode to move a switching element of the MEMS device between a first position spaced a first distance from an RF electrode and a second position spaced a second distance different than the first distance from the RF electrode. The pull-up and/or pull-off electrode may be coupled to a resistor to isolate the MEMS device from the substrate.
Abstract:
Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a MEMS device that is anchored using the layer that is deposited to form the cavity sealing layer and/or with the layer that is deposited to form the pull-off electrode. The switching element of the MEMS device will have a flexible or movable portion and will also have a fixed or anchor portion that is electrically coupled to ground. The layer that is used to seal the cavity in which the switching element is disposed can also be coupled to the fixed or anchor portion of the switching element to anchor the fixed or anchor portion within the cavity. Additionally, the layer that is used to form one of the electrodes may be used to provide additional leverage for anchoring the fixed or anchor portion within the cavity. In either situation, the movement of the flexible or movable portion is not hindered.
Abstract:
A discrete electro-mechanical device includes a structure 182 having an electrically-conductive trace. A defined patch of nanotube fabric 154 is disposed in spaced relation to the trace; and the defined patch of nanotube fabric 154 is electromechanically deflectable between a first and second state. In the first state, the nanotube article is in contact with the trace. A low resistance signal path is in electrical communication with the defined patch of nanofabric 154. Under certain embodiments, the structure 182 includes a defined gap 180 into which the electrically conductive trace is disposed.
Abstract:
A MEMS device comprises first and second opposing electrodes (42,46), wherein the second electrode (46) is electrically movable to vary the electrode spacing between facing first sides of the first and second electrodes. A first gas chamber (50) is provided between the electrodes, at a first pressure, and a second gas chamber (52) is provided on the second, opposite, side of the second electrode at a second pressure which is higher than the first pressure. This arrangement provides rapid switching and with damping of oscillations so that settling times are reduced.
Abstract:
Electrostatically actuatable MEMS device comprising: a substrate (103) of which at least a top layer (106) comprises a dielectric material; a first conductor (102) fixed to the top layer of the substrate, forming a fixed electrode of the device; and a second conductor (100) fixed to the top layer of the substrate, the second conductor being electrically isolated from the first conductor and comprising a movable portion (100') which is suspended at a predetermined first distance (D1) above the first conductor. The movable portion forms a movable electrode of the device which approaches the fixed electrode upon applying an appropriate voltage difference between the first and second conductors. A substrate surface area (105) is defined as the orthogonal projection of the movable portion on the substrate between the first and second conductors. In the substrate surface area at least one recess (107) is provided in at least the top layer of the substrate.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a micromechanical device comprising a mobile beam (1), said beam being attached by the two ends (2) thereof to a rigid frame (3) provided with two arms (4) each having two ends (5). The ends (5) of an arm (4) are respectively fixed to the two ends (2) of the mobile beam (1). Each arm (4) has a central part (6) arranged between the two ends (5) of the corresponding arm (4). A rear face of the central part (6) of each arm (4) is attached to a base support (10). The frame (3) comprises at least one stressed element (11) for adjusting the stressed state of the beam. The stressed element (11) can be centred between the front face and the rear face of the corresponding arm (4). The frame (3) can comprise pairs of front and rear stressed elements (11) which are respectively arranged on the front face and the rear face of the arms (4) in such a way that they face each other.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a microsystem comprising a deformable bridge (1), the ends (2) of which are connected to a substrate (3). According to the invention, at least one actuation electrode (6), which is solidly connected to the bridge (1), is disposed between the centre (C) of the bridge and one of the ends (2) next to a counter electrode (7) which is solidly connected to the substrate (3). The electrodes (6) are intended to deform the deformable bridge (1) such that a lower face of the bridge (1) comes into contact with a contact element (4) formed on the substrate (3). The actuation electrode (6) comprises, transversely to the bridge (1), a central zone (8) which is disposed on the bridge (1) and at least one projecting, flexible lateral flange (9). The lateral flange (9) can be connected to the central zone (8) by means of a narrower linking zone (10) which is disposed on the side of the flange (9) closest to the centre (C) of the bridge. Moreover, each actuation electrode (6) can comprise a pair of lateral flanges (9) which are disposed respectively on either side of the corresponding central zone (8).
Abstract:
16 ABSTRACT: A method of manufacturing a micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) device, comprising providing a base layer (10) and a mechanical layer (12) on a substrate (14), providing a sacrificial layer (16) between the base layer (10) and the mechanical layer (12), providing an etch stop layer (18) between the sacrificial layer (16) and the substrate (14), and removing the sacrificial layer (16) by means of dry chemical etching, wherein the dry chemical etching is performed using a fluorine-containing plasma, and the etch stop layer (18) comprises a substantially non-conducting, fluorine chemistry inert material, such as HfO2, ZrO2, Al2O3 or TiO2.