Patent ID: 6600851
Filing Date: 2003-07-29
Classification: G02B,Y10S

Abstract:
A micro-electrical-mechanical system (MEMS) actuator comprising:an optical element rotatably coupled to a support structure wherein the support structure supports the optical element in a plane above the plane of a surface of an underlying substrate and wherein the portion of the surface of the underlying substrate directly underlying the optical element defines a tilting area on the underlying substrate; an electrode formed on the surface of the underlying substrate, wherein the electrode is configured to cause the optical element to rotate when an electrical potential is supplied to the electrode and wherein the electrode has at least three components, a first component and a third component are adapted to receive an actuating voltage and a second component is adapted to be at an electrical potential that is substantially the same as the electrical potential of the optical element, wherein the first and second components are at least partially within the tilting area of the optical element, the third component is completely outside the tilting area of the optical element for at least some portion of a range of rotation of the optical element and the second component is interposed between the first and third components.