Patent ID: 6740537
Filing Date: 2004-05-25
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
A process for fabricating a microelectromechanical optical component from a silicon substrate, wherein the microelectromechanical optical component comprises:at least two optical propagation guides, especially intended to receive optical fibres; a moving wall which can move with respect to the propagation guides; an electrostatic actuator capable of causing the moving wall to move with respect to the substrate, wherein the actuator comprises: a plurality of first and second facing electrodes, wherein the plurality of first electrodes can move with respect to the plurality of second electrodes, wherein the plurality of second electrodes is mechanically linked to the moving wall, and the plurality of first electrodes is fastened to the substrate; and return means formed by at least one beam produced in the substrate and opposing the movement of the electrodes with respect to one another; characterized in that: the substrate used is made of single-crystal silicon, the (111) planes of which are parallel to the plane of the substrate; wherein the method comprises the steps of:A) performing a series of deep reactive ion etching steps on the substrate to define a height (h1) of the moving wall, a height (h2) of the plurality of first and second electrodes of the actuator, and a height (h3) of the at least one beam of the return means of the actuator, wherein the values of h1, h2, and h3 each differ; followed by (B) wet etching the deep reactive ion etched substrate to free the moving wall, the plurality of first and second electrodes, and the at least one beam from the substrate.