Patent ID: 6655011
Filing Date: 2003-12-02
Classification: H01H,Y10T

Abstract:
A method for fabricating a switch structure comprising:applying a plastic interconnect layer overlying a base surface; forming a cavity extending in the plastic interconnect layer to the base surface; filling the cavity with a removable filler material; applying and patterning a shape metal alloy (SMA) layer over the plastic interconnect layer and the filler material; applying and patterning a conductive layer over at least a portion of the SMA layer, wherein applying and patterning the SMA layer and applying and patterning the conductive layer result in at least one portion of the filler material not being covered by either the SMA layer or the conductive layer; removing at least some of the removable filler material from the cavity; annealing the SMA layer; shaping the SMA layer and the conductive layer, wherein annealing and shaping causes the SMA layer to contract and move the conductive layer further away from the base surface when sufficient electricity is applied to the SMA layer.