Wispry, Inc.

Turnstone Systems, Inc.

Other

Aac Technologies Pte. Ltd.

Shawn Jay Cunningham

Dana Richard DeReus

Arthur Sherman Morris, Iii

Subham Sett

Svetlana Tatic-Lucic

John R Gilbert

David Molinero-Giles

A MEMS switch includes: a housing, a switching assembly; a first actuation electrode, a first contact, a second contact, and a second actuation electrode. The switching device has a stress gradient along the thickness direction, such that in response to applying no voltage between the first actuation electrode and the second actuation electrode, the switching assembly contacts with the first contact. In response to applying a first voltage between the third actuation electrode and the fourth actuation electrode, the switching assembly is driven to deflect such that the switching assembly is spaced apart from both the first contact and the second contact. In response to applying a second voltage between the third actuation electrode and the fourth actuation electrode, the switching assembly is driven to deflect such that the switching assembly contacts with the second contact. The first voltage is smaller than the third voltage.

MEMS switch

Devices and methods of operating partitioned actuator plates to obtain a desirable shape of a movable component of a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) device. The subject matter described herein can in some embodiments include a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) device including a plurality of actuation electrodes attached to a first surface, where each of the one or more actuation electrode being independently controllable, and a movable component spaced apart from the first surface and movable with respect to the first surface. Where the movable component further includes one or more movable actuation electrodes spaced apart from the plurality of fixed actuation electrodes.

Actuator plate partitioning and control devices and methods

The present subject matter relates to systems, devices, and methods for reducing surface dielectric charging in a RF MEMS actuator element. In particular, a micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) can comprise a fixed electrode positioned on a substrate, a moveable electrode positioned substantially above the fixed electrode and separated from the fixed electrode by a gap, and at least one standoff bump positioned between the fixed electrode and the moveable electrode, wherein the at least one standoff bump extends into the gap. In this configuration, one or both of the fixed electrode or the moveable electrode can be patterned to define one or more hole that is substantially aligned with the one or more of the at least one standoff bump. The bump and the hole can both help to reduce the rate of surface dielectric charging and the total amount of charge generated.

Systems, devices, and methods for reducing surface dielectric charging in a RF MEMS actuator element

Methods and devices for fabricating tri-layer beams are provided. In particular, disclosed are methods and structures that can be used for fabricating multilayer structures through the deposition and patterning of at least an insulation layer, a first metal layer, a beam oxide layer, a second metal layer, and an insulation balance layer.

Methods and devices for fabricating tri-layer beams

Methods for Implementation of a Switching Function in a Microscale Device and for Fabrication of a Microscale Switch. According to one embodiment, a method is provided for implementing a switching function in a microscale device. The method can include providing a stationary electrode and a stationary contact formed on a substrate. Further, a movable microcomponent suspended above the substrate can be provided. A voltage can be applied between the between a movable electrode of the microcomponent and the stationary electrode to electrostatically couple the movable electrode with the stationary electrode, whereby the movable component is deflected toward the substrate and a movable contact moves into contact with the stationary contact to permit an electrical signal to pass through the movable and stationary contacts. A current can be applied through the first electrothermal component to produce heating for generating force for moving the microcomponent.

Methods for implementation of a switching function in a microscale device and for fabrication of a microscale switch

Devices for fabricating tri-layer beams

MEMS Device having Electrothermal Actuation and Release and Method for Fabricating. According to one embodiment, a microscale switch is provided and can include a substrate and a stationary electrode and stationary contact formed on the substrate. The switch can further include a movable microcomponent suspended above the substrate. The microcomponent can include a structural layer including at least one end fixed with respect to the substrate. The microcomponent can further include a movable electrode spaced from the stationary electrode and a movable contact spaced from the stationary electrode. The microcomponent can include an electrothermal component attached to the structural layer and operable to produce heating for generating force for moving the structural layer.

MEMS device having electrothermal actuation and release and method for fabricating

Substrates with slotted metals and related methods are provided. According to one aspect, a slotted metal attached to a substrate can include a metal patterned with slots less than or about equal to 2 microns. The slots can result in line widths that are approximately the size of a single metallurgical grain in an unpatterned layer.

Substrates with slotted metals and related methods

According to one aspect, the subject matter described herein includes a MEMS fixed capacitor and a method for fabricating the MEMS fixed capacitor. The MEMS fixed capacitor can include a first stationary, capacitive plate on a substrate. Further, the MEMS fixed capacitor can include a non-conductive, stationary beam suspended above the substrate. The MEMS fixed capacitor can also include a second stationary, capacitive plate spaced a predetermined distance from the first stationary, capacitive plate for producing a predetermined capacitance between the capacitive plates.

Micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) capacitors, inductors, and related systems and methods

Trilayered Beam MEMS Device and Related Methods. According to one embodiment, a method for fabricating a trilayered beam is provided. The method can include depositing a sacrificial layer on a substrate and depositing a first conductive layer on the sacrificial layer. The method can also include forming a first conductive microstructure by removing a portion of the first conductive layer. Furthermore, the method can include depositing a structural layer on the first conductive microstructure, the sacrificial layer, and the substrate and forming a via through the structural layer to the first conductive microstructure. Still furthermore, the method can include the following: depositing a second conductive layer on the structural layer and in the via; forming a second conductive microstructure by removing a portion of the second conductive layer, wherein the second conductive microstructure electrically communicates with the first conductive microstructure through the via; and removing a sufficient amount of the sacrificial layer so as to separate the first conductive microstructure from the substrate, wherein the structural layer is supported by the substrate at a first end and is freely suspended above the substrate at an opposing second end.

Trilayered beam MEMS device and related methods

Electrothermal Self-Latching MEMS Switch and Method. According to one embodiment, a microscale switch having a movable microcomponent is provided and includes a substrate having a stationary contact. The switch can also include a structural layer having a movable contact positioned for contacting the stationary contact when the structural layer moves toward the substrate. An electrothermal latch attached to the structural layer and having electrical communication with the movable contact to provide current flow between the electrothermal latch and the stationary contact when the movable contact contacts the stationary contact for maintaining the movable contact in contact with the stationary contact.

Electrothermal self-latching MEMS switch and method

MEMS Device Having A Trilayered Beam And Related Methods. According to one embodiment, a movable, trilayered microcomponent suspended over a substrate is provided and includes a first electrically conductive layer patterned to define a movable electrode. The first metal layer is separated from the substrate by a gap. The microcomponent further includes a dielectric layer formed on the first metal layer and having an end fixed with respect to the substrate. Furthermore, the microcomponent includes a second electrically conductive layer formed on the dielectric layer and patterned to define an electrode interconnect for electrically communicating with the movable electrode.

MEMS device having a trilayered beam and related methods

A micro-scale interconnect device with internal heat spreader and method for fabricating same. The device includes first and second arrays of generally coplanar electrical communication lines. The first array is disposed generally along a first plane, and the second array is disposed generally along a second plane spaced from the first plane. The arrays are electrically isolated from each other. Embedded within the interconnect device is a heat spreader element. The heat spreader element comprises a dielectric material disposed in thermal contact with at least one of the arrays, and a layer of thermally conductive material embedded in the dielectric material. The device is fabricated by forming layers of electrically conductive, dielectric, and thermally conductive materials on a substrate. The layers are arranged to enable heat energy given off by current-carrying communication lines to be transferred away from the communication lines.

Growing community of inventors

Irvine, CA, United States of America

Shawn Jay Cunningham