Patent · US Expired

Staggered torsional electrostatic combdrive and method of forming same

US6758983B2 · kind B2 · utility

37Cited by
11References
23Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 13, 2002
Grant dateJul 6, 2004
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 13, 2022

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB81C2203/032
  • WIPO fieldMicro-structural and nano-technology
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

A staggered torsional electrostatic combdrive includes a stationary combteeth assembly and a moving combteeth assembly with a mirror and a torsional hinge. The moving combteeth assembly is positioned entirely above the stationary combteeth assembly by a predetermined vertical displacement during a combdrive resting state. A method of fabricating the staggered torsional electrostatic combdrive includes the step of deep trench etching a stationary combteeth assembly in a first wafer. A second wafer is bonded to the first wafer to form a sandwich including the first wafer, an oxide layer, and the second wafer. A moving combteeth assembly is formed in the second wafer. The moving combteeth assembly includes a mirror and a torsional hinge. The moving combteeth assembly is separated from the first wafer by the oxide layer. The oxide layer is subsequently removed to release the staggered torsional electrostatic combdrive.

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