Optically controlled MEM switches
US6310339A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 28, 1999 |
| Grant date | Oct 30, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 28, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01H67/22
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An optically controlled micro-electromechanical (MEM) switch is described which desirably utilizes photoconductive properties of a semiconductive substrate upon which MEM switches are fabricated. In one embodiment the bias voltage provided for actuation of the switch is altered by illuminating an optoelectric portion of the switch to deactivate the switch. In an alternative embodiment, a photovoltaic device provides voltage to actuate the switch without any bias lines at all. Due to the hysteresis of the electromechanical switching as a function of applied voltage, only modest variation of voltage applied to the switch is necessary to cause the switch to open or close sharply under optical control.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.