Patent · US Expired

Silicon on insulator optical membrane structure for fabry-perot MOEMS filter

US6608711B2 · kind B2 · utility

47Cited by
9References
7Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 11, 2000
Grant dateAug 19, 2003
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 11, 2020

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG02B26/02
  • WIPO fieldOptics
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A process for fabricating an optical membrane device comprises providing a handle wafer and then oxidizing a surface of the handle wafer to form an insulating layer. A device wafer is then bonded to the handle wafer. An optical membrane structure is formed in this device wafer. The insulating layer is selectively removed to release the membrane structure. This device wafer can be manufactured from silicon wafer material. Such material typically has a low number of dislocations yielding a stable mechanical membrane structure. The insulating layer defines the electrical cavity across which electrical fields are established that are used to electrostatically deflect the membrane structure. The insulating layer is between 3 and 6 micrometers (&mgr;m) in thickness.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.