Patent ID: 6123985
Filing Date: 2000-09-26
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
A method of fabricating a micromirror faceplate, comprising:patterning a mirror release layer onto a glass panel including defining mirror post regions that expose portions of said glass panel through said mirror release layer;patterning a metal layer over said mirror release layer to form an array of micromirrors including mirror post regions that are anchored to the exposed portions of said glass panel;patterning a membrane release layer over said metal layer with membrane post regions that are aligned with said mirror post regions and that expose portions of said metal layer through said membrane release layer;patterning an insulating material over said membrane release layer to form a membrane that is anchored to the exposed portions of said metal layer by membrane post regions at said mirror post regions and has an array of vent holes that are spaced between the underlying micromirrors; andsimultaneously releasing said mirror and membrane release layers through said vent holes so that the membrane is suspended above said glass panel and above the array of micromirrors by said membrane post regions.