Patent ID: 6044705
Filing Date: 2000-04-04
Classification: G01C,G02B

Abstract:
An integrated, micromachined structure comprising:a reference member;a first pair of diametrically opposed, axially aligned torsion bars projecting from said reference member;a first dynamic member that is coupled by said first pair of torsion bars to said reference member to be thereby supported from said reference member for rotation about a first axis that is collinear with said first pair of torsion bars; said reference member, said first pair of torsion bars and said first dynamic member all monolithically fabricated from a stress-free semiconductor layer of a silicon substrate; said first dynamic member thus supported within said reference member by said first pair of torsion bars, said first dynamic member:having a center;defining a first dynamic member rest plane if no external force is applied to said first dynamic member; andexhibiting a plurality of vibrational modes including a principal torsional vibrational mode about the first axis that is collinear with said first pair of torsion bars, a vertical shaking vibrational mode, a vertical rocking vibrational mode, a lateral shaking vibrational mode, and a lateral rocking vibrational mode, each vibrational mode of said first dynamic member having a vibrational frequency, the vibrational frequency of the principal torsional vibrational mode being lower by at least 20% than the vibrational frequency of any other vibrational mode of said first dynamic member; andfirst drive means for imparting rotary motion to said first dynamic member about the first axis that is collinear with said first pair of torsion bars.