Patent · US Expired

Multi-layer, self-aligned vertical combdrive electrostatic actuators and fabrication methods

US6612029B2 · kind B2 · utility

39Cited by
27References
17Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMar 14, 2001
Grant dateSep 2, 2003
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 14, 2021

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T29/49156
  • WIPO fieldOptics
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A method of fabricating multi-layer vertical comb-drive actuator that includes a first comb structure having a plurality of first comb fingers and a second comb structure having a plurality of second comb fingers, wherein the first and second comb fingers are substantially interdigitated. The present invention includes masking and etching of a structure that contains these multiple layers, wherein the first and second comb fingers are simultaneously fabricated. The first and second comb fingers may include two or more stacked conductive layers electrically isolated from each other by an insulating layer or an air gap. Alternatively, either the first or second comb fingers may include only one conductive layer.

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