Analog Devices,inc.

Analog Devices Global

Analog Devices Global Unlimited Company

Jo-ey Wong

Padraig Fitzgerald

Raymond C Goggin

Mark Schirmer

Denis Ellis

Richard Eckl

Bernard Patrick Stenson

David Rohan

Paul Martin Lambkin

Check F Lee

John Dixon

Raymond Goggin

Padraig L Fitzgerald

Richard Tarik Eckl

Raynond C Goggin

Several features are disclosed that improve the operating performance of MEMS switches such that they exhibit improved in-service life and better control over switching on and off.

MEMS switch

A MEMS switch has a base formed from a substrate with a top surface and an insulator layer formed on at least a portion of the top surface. Bonding material secures a cap to the base to form an interior chamber. The cap effectively forms an exterior region of the base that is exterior to the interior chamber. The MEMS switch also has a movable member (in the interior chamber) having a member contact portion, an internal contact (also in the interior chamber), and an exterior contact at the exterior region of the base. The contact portion of the movable member is configured to alternatively contact the interior contact. A conductor at least partially within the insulator layer electrically connects the interior contact and the exterior contact. The conductor is spaced from and electrically isolated from the bonding material securing the cap to the base.

MEMS swtich with internal conductive path

Disclosed is a micro-electro-mechanical switch, including a substrate having a gate connection, a source connection, a drain connection and a switch structure, coupled to the substrate. The switch structure includes a beam member, an anchor and a hinge. The beam member having a length sufficient to overhang both the gate connection and the drain connection. The anchor coupling the switch structure to the substrate, the anchor having a width. The hinge coupling the beam member to the anchor at a respective position along the anchor's length, the hinge to flex in response to a charge differential established between the gate and the beam member. The switch structure having gaps between the substrate and the anchor in regions proximate to the hinges.

Micro-electro-mechanical switch beam construction with minimized beam distortion and method for constructing

A MEMS switch with a platinum-series contact is capped through a process that also passivates the contact by controlling, over time, the amount of oxygen in the environment, pressures and temperatures. Some embodiments passivate a contact in an oxygenated atmosphere at a first temperature and pressure, before hermetically sealing the cap at a higher temperature and pressure. Some embodiments hermetically seal the cap at a temperature below which passivating dioxides will form, thus trapping oxygen within the volume defined by the cap, and later passivate the contact with the trapped oxygen at a higher temperature.

MEMS switch capping and passivation method

Growing community of inventors

Wayland, MA, United States of America

Jo-ey Wong