Patent ID: 6677695
Filing Date: 2004-01-13
Classification: H02N

Abstract:
A movable micro-electromechanical mirror structure comprising:a microelectronic substrate defining a first major surface; a mirror having two ends and disposed for tilting movement in response to an attractive force about an axis disposed out of plane relative to the first major surface, the tilting movement varying between a non-actuated position and a fully actuated position at an end point of the tilting movement, the fully actuating position resulting in an angular position of the mirror at a limit angle relative to the major surface, a pair of electrodes for exerting each an attractive force on a corresponding end of the mirror, each electrode mounted on the substrate at a position corresponding to the corresponding end of the mirror at an electrode angle to the first major surface, the electrode angle being similar or identical as the limit angle of the corresponding end of the mirror, the dimensions of the mirror and of the electrodes and a spacing between the mirror and the electrodes selected such that the electrode and the corresponding end of the mirror are in an approximately parallel relationship in the fully actuated position when the corresponding end of the mirror becomes adjacent to the electrode due to the attractive force, the structure further comprising a deformable electrode support member mounted on the substrate, with at least one of the electrodes mounted on the electrode support member, and a deforming element mounted against the deformable electrode support member such as to permanently maintain the deformable electrode support member in a deformed state in which the at least one of the electrodes is disposed at the electrode angle.