Patent ID: 6223598
Filing Date: 2001-05-01
Classification: G01P

Abstract:
A semiconductor device comprising:a substrate;a layer suspended above and spaced apart from the surface of said substrate, said layer including at least one first capacitive element;at least one second capacitive element associated with said substrate positioned in parallel juxtaposition with said at least one first capacitive element so as to define first gaps between each of said at least one first capacitive element and adjoining said at least one second capacitive element; anda plurality of suspension members coupled between said substrate and said layer to allow limited movement of said layer relative to a plane parallel to said substrate, each of said suspension members including a plurality of symmetrically configured flexible serpentine arms having second gaps defined therebetween, whereinsaid first and second gaps are configured to track one another so as to maintain constant gap widths, and each of said suspension members has spring constants such that the response in a first direction is equal to the response in a second direction orthogonal to said first direction, and said device is configured with 4-fold symmetry in the plane of the substrate.