Patent · US Expired

Electrostatically operated micro-optical devices and method for manufacturing thereof

US6996306B2 · kind B2 · utility

41Cited by
3References
18Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateAug 25, 2003
Grant dateFeb 7, 2006
Priority date
Expiry dateAug 25, 2023

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG02B6/3594
  • WIPO fieldOptics
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

Electrostatically operated micro-optical devices and method of manufacturing such devices is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, the micro-optical devices using electrostatic comb drive actuators having new spring designs to overcome side instability and exhibit enlarged displacement, having new designs of comb finger electrode shapes to generate larger force output, and having new clip type latch mechanism to control the corresponding device at certain states in an analog manner without electrical power consumption. Based on the proposed optical path and device configurations, integration and assembly of a plurality of reflective micro-mirrors in conjunction with proposed new comb drive actuators is very promising way to provide micro-optical devices to get good optical performance and suitable for multi-channel applications. We also disclose several process techniques to manufacture the micro-optical devices with said electrostatic comb drive actuator in a mass production manner with higher yield.

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