Abstract:
Disclosed are methods for fabricating a micro-electro-mechanical switch. The switch has a cantilever arm disposed on a substrate that can be moved in orthogonal directions for latching and unlatching. For latching, the cantilever arm is moved back by a comb-drive actuator and then pulled down by electrodes disposed on the substrate and the cantilever arm. The comb-drive actuator switch is then released and the cantilever arm moves forward to be captured by a dove-tail structure on the substrate. When the voltage is removed, the cantilever arm is held in place by the dove-tail structure. The switch is unlatched by actuating the comb-drive actuator to move the cantilever arm away from the dove-tail structure. The cantilever arm will then pop up once it is released from the dove-tail structure.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED DOCUMENTS 
   This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/961,732, filed on Oct. 7, 2004 and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,253,709. 

   BACKGROUND 
   1. Technical Field 
   The present disclosure relates generally to switches. More particularly, this disclosure relates to microfabricated electromechanical switches having a spring-loaded latching mechanism. 
   2. Description of Related Art 
   Switch networks are found in many systems application. For example, in satellite systems, switch networks are essential for routing matrices and redundancy systems. Future satellite systems will not only require larger switch routing networks, but also increased functionality for network-centric operations. These new capabilities will includes spacecraft reconfiguration for beam switching, beam shaping, and frequency agility. Thus, it is expected that satellites will require an increasing number of switches in their payloads. 
   In many cases, these switches need to be latching, that is, once they are actuated they will remain in a desired state even after the actuation energy source is removed. Some of the applications where latching switches are important are ultra-reliable networks where power interruptions could create a problem, such as satellite or Unmanned Air Vehicles, or networks where supplied power is limited, like in small mobile platforms that run on batteries. Current latching switch technology typically relies on magnetic or motor drives to change switch states. These switches, typically fabricated using coaxial conductors or metallic waveguide, generally work very well. However, most of the applications listed above would benefit from size and weight reduction since the mechanical latching switches currently in use tend to be larger and heavier than desired. Semiconductor switches, such as made using PIN diodes and FET switches, are small, but they typically cannot latch in multiple states without a constant energy source. 
   Radio Frequency (RF) Micro Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS) switches are known in the art to have small size and weight and are also known to provide desirable performance in the radio frequency and microwave spectrums. Several types of MEMS switches are well-known in the art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,121,089 issued Jun. 9, 1992 to Larson discloses a microwave MEMS switch. The Larson MEMS switch utilizes an armature design. One end of a metal armature is affixed to an output line, and the other end of the armature rests above an input line. The armature is electrically isolated from the input line when the switch is in an open position. When a voltage is applied to an electrode below the armature, the armature is pulled downward and contacts the input line. This creates a conducting path between the input line and the output line through the metal armature. This switch requires a constant voltage to maintain the switch in a closed state. 
   As another example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,046,659 of Loo et al. discloses methods for the design and fabrication of non-latching single pole single throw MEMS switches. U.S. Pat. No. 6,046,659 is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.  FIG. 1  shows a top view of a MEMS switch  10  according to Loo et al, which provides single pole single throw switching between an input line  20  and an output line  18 . 
     FIGS. 2A and 2B  are side-elevational views of the MEMS switch  10 .  FIG. 2A  shows the switch  10  in the open position and  FIG. 2B  shows the switch  10  in the closed position. Beam structural material  26  is connected to a substrate  14  through a fixed anchor via  32 . A suspended armature bias electrode  30  is nested within the structural material  26  and electrically accessed through a bias line  38  at an armature bias pad  34 . A conducting transmission line  28  is at the free end of the beam structural layer  26  and is electrically isolated from the suspended armature bias electrode  30  by the dielectric structural layer  26 . Contact dimples  24  of the transmission line  28  extend through and below the structural layer  26  and define the areas of metal contact to the input and output lines  20  and  18 , respectively. A substrate bias electrode  22  is below a suspended armature bias electrode  30  on the surface of the substrate  14 . When a voltage is applied between the suspended armature bias electrode  30  and the substrate bias electrode  22 , an electrostatic attractive force will pull the suspended armature bias electrode  30  as well as the attached armature  16  towards the substrate bias electrode  22 . The contact dimples  24  touch the input line  20  and the output line  18 , so the conducting transmission line  28  bridges the gap between the input line  20  and the output line  18 , thereby closing the MEM switch. 
   Loo et al. generally describe a surface micromachined device. That is, layers are deposited on top of a substrate, and then one or more of the layers is etched away to release the moving parts of the switch  10 . As described in Loo et al., the parts of the switch generally comprise gold (or gold alloys) for the switch contacts, silicon dioxide for the one or more layers etched away (i.e., the sacrificial layers), and silicon nitride for the beam structural layer. However, the Loo switch generally requires a voltage to be applied to keep the switch in a closed state. 
   An example of a latching micro switch is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,496,612 issued Dec. 17, 2002 to Ruan et al. Ruan et al. describe a switch having a cantilever to switch between an open state and a closed state. To operate as a latching switch, a permanent magnet is used to maintain the cantilever in an open state or a closed state. However, the use of a permanent magnet may result in a switch that is bigger and/or heavier than desired. Further, the placement of the permanent magnet further complicates the manufacture of the switch, increasing the cost of the switch. 
   Another example of a latching switch is described by Xi-Qing Sun, K. R. Farmer and W. N. Carr in “A Bistable Micro Relay Based on Two-Segment Multimorph Cantilever Actuators,” The Eleventh Annual International Workshop on Micro-electro Mechanical Systems, 1998, MEMS 98 Proceedings, Jan. 25-29, 1998, pp. 154-159. Sun et al. describe a latching switch mechanism that uses two metals to create stresses in opposite directions along a cantilever beam. RF contacts can be moved by controlling the stress on the two segments electrostatically to lengthen or shorten the length of the cantilever along the substrate so that the contact can be moved from one RF line to another. The fabrication of the switch disclosed by Sun et al. may be complicated since two different metals are required. Further, the latching force is on a direction that may ultimately pull the metal bar from the cantilever. 
   Therefore, there is a need in the art for small, lightweight latching switch that does not require a constantly applied external voltage or magnetic source to stay latched in a selected state. 
   SUMMARY 
   Embodiments of the present invention provide for a method and apparatus for switching that is latchable. An embodiment of the present invention comprises a RF MEMS metal contact electrostatically actuated latching switch. According to embodiments of the present invention, a cantilever arm is provided that can be moved into orthogonal directions for latching and unlatching. That is, in one orientation, the cantilever arm may be moved in both a horizontal direction and a vertical direction. 
   Embodiments of the present invention may have a latching structure that essentially comprises a metalized angular mortise and tenon structure. The mortise and tenon structure may be provided by etching a substrate to provide a dovetail structure at the edges of the etched portions of the substrate. The etched edge of the substrate then forms the mortise. The end of the cantilever arm is fabricated to form the tenon. In a latched state, the tenon portion of the cantilever arm fits within the mortise portion of the substrate. 
   According to some embodiments of the present invention, movement in orthogonal directions may be provided by a combined comb-drive actuator structure and parallel plate actuator structure to move a cantilever arm prior to latching or unlatching. The comb-drive actuator structure provides the capability to move the cantilever arm parallel to the substrate surface. The parallel plate actuator structure provides the capability to move the cantilever arm vertically in a manner similar to that described above for the Loo switch. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     These and other features and advantages will become more apparent from a detailed consideration of the invention when taken in conjunction with the drawings described below. However, this invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments depicted in the drawings or described below. Further, the dimensions of certain elements shown in the accompanying drawings may be exaggerated to more clearly show details. The present invention should not be construed as being limited to the dimensional relations shown in the drawings, nor should the individual elements shown in the drawings be construed to be limited to the dimensions shown. 
       FIG. 1  (prior art) is a top view of a prior art RF MEMS switches. 
       FIG. 2A  (prior art) shows a cross-sectional view of the switch in  FIG. 1  in an open position. 
       FIG. 2B  (prior art) shows a cross-sectional view of the switch in  FIG. 1  in a closed position. 
       FIG. 3  shows a top view of a switch according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 4  shows a side view of the switch shown in  FIG. 3 . 
       FIG. 5  illustrates the steps for latching the switch. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates the components used for calculating the force to laterally move the switch beam illustrated in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . 
       FIG. 6A  shows a close-up view of a pair of the interdigitated fingers shown in  FIG. 6 . 
       FIGS. 7A-7H  show steps of a fabrication process for one embodiment according to the present invention. 
       FIGS. 8A-8D  show steps of a fabrication process of an alternative embodiment according to the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   It should be appreciated that the particular embodiments shown and described herein are examples of the invention and are not intended to otherwise limit the scope of the present invention in any way. Indeed, for the sake of brevity, conventional electronics, manufacturing, MEMS technologies and other functional aspects of the systems (and components of the individual operating components of the systems) may not be described in detail herein. Furthermore, for purposes of brevity, embodiments of the invention are frequently described herein as pertaining to a micro electromechanical switch for use in electrical or electronic systems. It should be appreciated that many other manufacturing techniques could be used to create the embodiments described herein. Further, the embodiments according to the present invention would be suitable for application in electrical systems, optical systems, consumer electronics, industrial electronics, wireless systems, space applications, or any other application. Moreover, it should be understood that the spatial descriptions (e.g. “above”, “below”, “up”, “down”, etc.) made herein are for purposes of illustration only, and that embodiments of the present invention may be spatially arranged in any orientation or manner. 
   A top view of an embodiment of a switch  100  according to the present invention is shown in  FIG. 3 .  FIG. 4  presents a side view of the switch  100  along the center line  4 . The switch  100  comprises a switch beam  150  disposed on a substrate  101 . The substrate  101  preferably comprises semi-insulating GaAs with a {100} crystallographic orientation. A portion of the substrate  101  is etched away to provide an etched region  103  in the substrate  101 . If the substrate  101  comprises GaAs, the substrate is preferably etched away with an acidic H 2 O 2  solution. A property of this etching solution on the preferred orientation of GaAs is that the wall of the etched GaAs is undercut from the surface to provide a dovetail structure  105  as shown in  FIG. 4 . 
   The switch beam  150  is preferably disposed above the etched region  103 . For ease of understanding, the switch  100  can be considered as comprising four parts. The first portion consists of the switch beam  150 , a beam electrode  156  and a substrate electrode  158 . The switch beam  150  preferably comprises at least two structural layers  151 ,  152  and one or more metal layers  153 . The at least two structural layers  151 ,  152  preferably comprise silicon nitride and the one or more metal layers  153  preferably comprise gold, each 1-2 μm in width. The structural layers  151 ,  152  may comprise dielectric materials other than silicon nitride. However, such other dielectric materials should be easily deposited and patterned and have good resistance to the final release etch of the sacrificial layer, discussed below. Silicon nitride is preferred, since it is a material that is commonly used in the semiconductor industry. Materials other then gold, such as aluminum, may be used for the one or more metal layers  153 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 4 , the one or more metal layers  153  are configured to provide the beam electrode  156  on or in the switch beam  150 .  FIG. 4  shows two structural layers  151 ,  152  and a metal layer  153  sandwiched between them. It is preferred that the metal layer  153  be disposed between the upper structural layer  151  and the lower structural layer  152 , so that the structure is more symmetric and less prone to stress caused by thermal expansion mismatch. However, if a thick structure is required, more structural layers  151 ,  152  and/or metal layers  153  can be deposited. Further, alternative embodiments may have only the upper structural layer  151  or the lower structural layer  152 . 
   The beam electrode  156  and the substrate electrode  158  are used to create an electrostatic field to pull the switch beam down  150 . The actuation voltage may be applied to the substrate electrode through substrate electrode actuation pads  159 . The beam electrode  156  may be connected through the switch beam  150  and a spring section  160  (discussed below) to ground pads  157 . Upon application of a voltage to the substrate electrode actuation pads  159 , the beam electrode  156  will be attracted to the substrate electrode  158 , causing the switch beam  150  to move towards the substrate  101 . 
   The next part of the switch  100  is where the RF signal is switched. It includes the tip  161  of the switch beam  150 , which comprises a conducting material. Preferably, the conducting material is gold. A metalized mortise  163  is disposed on the dovetail structure  105  formed by the etching of the substrate  101 . The mortise  163  preferably comprises gold that is sputtered on and under the overhanging dovetail structure  105 . Input  167  and output  169  RF lines are disposed on the substrate  101 . The input  167  and output  169  RF lines may be sputtered down and then plated to the desired thickness. A gap  165  in the metalized mortise  163  separates the input  167  and output  169  RF lines. It is preferred that the tip  161  and mortise  163  comprise gold, but other metals or conducting materials that do not easily oxidize may also be used. 
   The third part of the switch  100  is a switch beam spring  170 . The switch beam spring  170  comprises one or more cross beams  171 ,  173  attached to switch beam anchors  175 . The switch beam anchors  175  comprise posts disposed on the substrate  101 . In equilibrium, the spring beam  150  is disposed such that the tip  161  of the switch beam  150  extends beyond the mortise  163 , as shown in  FIG. 4 . The switch beam spring  170  is preferably fabricated from the same structural layers  151  and metal layers  153  that the switch beam  150  is fabricated from. Therefore, the switch beam spring preferably comprises one or more layers of silicon nitride and one or more layers of gold. A metal line  177  is attached from ground actuation pads  157 , along one of the cross beams  173 , and to the metal layer  153  configured to provide the beam electrode  156 . 
   The fourth part of the switch  100  is one or more comb-drive actuators  180  consisting of pairs of interdigitated fingers  181 . The fingers  181  preferably comprise the same structural layers  151  and metal layers  153  that the switch beam  150  is fabricated from. One side of the comb-drive actuator  180  is anchored to the substrate  101  by comb actuator posts  188 . One side of the interdigitated fingers  181  are electrically connected to comb-drive actuation electrode pads  187  through the comb actuator posts  188  by metal lines and vias. The other side of the interdigitated fingers  181  is attached to the switch beam spring  170 . The other side of the interdigitated fingers  181  is electrically connected to the ground actuation pads  157  by the metal line  177 . 
   The steps for latching the switch  100  are described below and are also shown in  FIG. 5 . Assume the switch is in the equilibrium position shown in  FIG. 4 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , the tip  161  of the switch beam  150  is above the metalized mortise  163 . First, a voltage V L  is applied to the comb-drive actuator  180 . The electrostatic force between the interdigitated fingers  181  pulls the switch beam spring  170  and switch beam  150  toward the comb actuator posts  188 , as shown by the arrow  501  in  FIG. 5 . The switch is fabricated such that the application of voltage V L  will result in the tip  161  of the switch beam  151  being pulled behind the metalized mortise  163 . Then a voltage V T  is applied between beam electrode  156  and the substrate electrode  158 , which causes the switch beam  150  to be pulled down, as shown by arrow  502  in  FIG. 5 . The switch beam  150  should then rest against the substrate  101  and/or the substrate electrode  158 . The comb-drive actuation voltage V L  is then removed, and the switch beam spring  170  relaxes toward lateral equilibrium, as shown by arrow  503  in  FIG. 5 . It is prevented from reaching equilibrium when the tip  161  of the switch beam  150  hits the metalized mortise  163 . The metal-metal contact of the tip  161  of the switch beam  150  and the metalized mortise  163  causes the RF lines  167 ,  169  to be electrically connected, hence the switch  100  is closed. The contact force of the switch beam  150  to the metalized mortise  163  is maintained even when the pull down voltage V T  is removed, and the shape of the metalized mortise  163  keeps the switch  100  latched into position. 
   To unlatch the switch, the voltage V L  is again applied to the comb-drive actuator  180 . The tip  161  of the switch beam  150  will slide out of the metalized mortise  163 , and, because the pull-down voltage is not present, the switch beam  150  will pop up. Removal of the comb-drive actuation voltage then puts the switch beam  150  back into equilibrium where it originated. The gap  165  between the RF lines  167 ,  169  is now not connected, so the switch  100  is open. 
   The viability of this switch can be demonstrated by simple calculations.  FIG. 6  illustrates the dimensions of various components used in the calculation of the comb-drive actuator force versus voltage. The calculations discussed below were made based on the use of a pair of interdigitated fingers  181 , as shown in  FIG. 6  and shown in a close-up and three-dimensional view in  FIG. 6A . The height of each of the interdigitated fingers  181  (i.e. the width of each finger in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the substrate) is assumed to be 5 μm. MEMS switches using a trilayer of silicon nitride/gold/silicon nitride, such as the switch disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,046,659, may have structures with thicknesses of 5 μm. Therefore, the assumption for a similar height for the interdigitated fingers  181  is considered reasonable. The gap between each interdigitated finger  181  is also assumed to be 5 μm. 
   The formula for the attractive force along the horizontal direction (i.e., the X direction shown in  FIG. 5 ) is: 
             F   x     =     0.5   ⁢     ɛ   o     ⁢       V   2     ⁡     (     H   Z     )       ⁢   N           
where H is the finger height and Z is the finger gap. V is the applied voltage and ∈ 0  is the electric permittivity. N is the number of interdigitated finger surface pairs. If V=50 V and N=201, the force is F x =5.5×10 −5  Newtons. The number of interdigitated finger pairs used for the calculation is considered reasonable, since comb-drive actuators are known in the art that use more than this number.
 
   The lateral displacement may also be determined by reviewing the geometry of the structure depicted in  FIG. 5 . The switch spring is assumed to be made of silicon nitride, with an elastic modulus of 3×10 11  Newtons/m 2 . The nitride spring is 400 μm long and 2 μm wide. The lateral displacement may be found by the following equation
 
 x= 0.625 F   x   L   3   E   −1   H   −1   D   −3  
 
where L is the length of the switch spring, D is the width of the switch spring, and H is the height of the switch spring (the same as for the comb-drive fingers). With the values given, it is found that x=18.2 μm, which should be more than enough to pull the end of the spring beam behind the mortise.
 
   The processing of the switch is slightly modified from the current processing practice. The only fabrication differences from the current practice are 1) the first etching step to create the mortise and tenon by etching GaAs to the desired depth, and 2) the dimple etching step is not needed. The layer thickness may be varied depending upon the required latching forces and desired comb-drive actuator voltages. Additional layers of gold and nitride may also be added to build up the height of the comb-drive fingers to reduce the needed voltage. The use of sputtered gold insures that metal coats the edges of the mortise  163 . 
     FIGS. 7A-7H  illustrate the manufacturing processes embodying the present invention used to fabricate the switch  100  of  FIGS. 3 and 4 .  FIGS. 7A-7H  present a profile of the switch taken along the section line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 3 . As shown in  FIG. 7A , the process begins with a substrate  101 . In a preferred embodiment, GaAs with a {100} crystallographic orientation is used as the substrate. Other materials may be used, however, such as InP, ceramics, quartz or silicon. The substrate is chosen primarily based on the technology of the circuitry the MEMS switch is to be connected to so that the MEMS switch and the circuit may be fabricated simultaneously. For example, InP can be used for low noise HEMT MMICS (high electron mobility transistor monolothic microwave integrated circuits) and GaAs is typically used for PHEMT (pseudomorphic HEMT) power MMICS. 
     FIG. 7B  shows a profile of the switch  101  after the etched region  103  is formed. The etch may be performed with acidic (H 2 SO 4  or HCl)/hydrogen peroxide etch solutions. As indicated above, the substrate preferably comprises GaAs with a {100} crystallographic orientation, since this facilitates the formation of the dovetail structure  105  that facilitates latching. 
     FIG. 7C  shows the deposition of metal for the substrate electrode  158  and the metalized mortise  163 .  FIG. 7C  also shows the deposition of metal on the substrate to form an electrical contact  198  between one side of the interdigitated fingers  181  and the comb-drive actuation electrode pads  187 . The metal layer may be deposited lithographically using standard integrated circuit fabrication technology, such as resist lift-off or resist definition and metal etch. In the preferred embodiment, gold (Au) is used as the primary composition of the metal layer. Au is preferred in RF applications because of its low resistivity. In order to ensure the adhesion of the Au to the substrate, a 900 angstrom layer of gold germanium is deposited, followed by a 100 angstrom layer of nickel, and finally a 1500 angstrom layer of gold. The thin layer of gold germanium (AuGe) eutectic metal is deposited to ensure adhesion of the Au by alloying the AuGe into the semiconductor similar to a standard ohmic metal process for any III-V MESFET or HEMT. 
   Next, as shown in  FIG. 7D , a support layer  210  is placed on top of the deposited metal and the substrate  101  including the etched region  103 . The support layer  210  typically comprises SiO 2 , which may be sputter deposited or deposited using PECVD (plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition). The support layer  210  is preferably planarized after being deposited by chemical-mechanical planarizing. Other materials besides SiO 2  may be used as a sacrificial layer  210 . The important characteristics of the sacrificial layer  210  are a high etch rate, good thickness uniformity, and conformal coating by the oxide of the metal already on the substrate  210 . The thickness of the oxide partially determines the thickness of the switch opening, which is critical in determining the voltage necessary to close the switch as well as the electrical isolation of the switch when the switch is open. The sacrificial layer  210  will be removed in the final step to release the switch beam  150  as shown in  FIG. 7   h.    
   Another advantage of using SiO 2  as the support layer  210  is that SiO 2  can withstand high temperatures. Other types of support layers, such as organic polyimides, harden considerably if exposed to high temperatures. This makes the polyimide sacrificial layer difficult to later remove. The support layer  210  is exposed to high temperatures when the silicon nitride for the structural layers  151 ,  152  is deposited, as a high temperature deposition is desired when depositing the silicon nitride to give the silicon nitride a lower HF etch rate. 
     FIG. 7E  shows the fabrication of the lower structural layer  152 . The lower structural layer  152  and the upper structural layer  151  (discussed below) are the supporting mechanism of the switch beam  150  and are preferably made out of silicon nitride, although other materials besides silicon nitride may be used. Silicon nitride is preferred because it can be deposited so that there is neutral stress in the structural layers  151 ,  152 . Neutral stress fabrication reduces the bowing that may occur when the switch is actuated. The material used for the structural layers  151 ,  152  must have a low etch rate compared to the support layer  210  so that the structural layers  151 ,  152  are not etched away when the support layer  210  is removed to release the switch beam  150 . 
     FIG. 7E  also shows the etching of the structural layer  152  and the support layer  210  to form recesses  212  for vias for the interdigitated fingers  181  and to provide the comb actuator posts  188 . Those skilled in the art will understand that recesses may also be formed at this step in the process for the switch beam anchors  175  and for vias to provide electrical contact to the other side of the interdigitated fingers  181 . However, these other recesses are not shown in  FIG. 7E , due to the cross-section depicted. The structural layer  151  and the support layer  210  may also be etched at this time to form a recess  214  into which metal for the tip  161  will be deposited. The structural layer  152  and the support layer  210  are patterned and etched using standard lithographic and etching processes. 
   As shown in  FIG. 7F , another metal layer  153  is deposited onto the structural layer  152  and into the recesses  212 ,  214 . This second metal layer forms the beam electrode  158 . Metal deposited in this step may also form the tip  161  and portions of the interdigitated fingers  181 . In the preferred embodiment, the second metal layer is comprised of a sputter deposition of a thin film (200 angstroms) of Ti followed by a 1000 angstrom deposition of Au. The second metal layer should be conformal across the wafer and acts as a plating plane for the Au. The plating is done by using metal lithography to open up the areas of the switch that are to be plated. The Au is electroplated by electrically contacting the membrane metal on the edge of the wafer and placing the metal patterned wafer in the plating solution. The plating occurs only where the membrane metal is exposed to the plating solution to complete the electrical circuit and not where the electrically insulating resist is left on the wafer. After 2 microns of Au is plated, the resist is stripped off of the wafer and the whole surface is ion milled to remove the membrane metal. Some Au will also be removed from the top of the plated Au during the ion milling, but that loss is minimal because the membrane is only 1200 angstroms thick. 
     FIG. 7G  shows the deposition of the second structural layer  151 . As shown, the second structural layer  151  covers the second metal layer  153  in the area of the beam electrode  156  and also fills in additional portions of the recess  212  to form the comb actuator posts  188 . The second structural layer  152  may also be deposited at this time to form the switch beam anchors  175  (not shown in  FIG. 7G ). The second structural layer  151  is then lithographically defined and etched to complete the formation of the switch beam spring  170  and the comb-drive actuators. Finally, as shown in  FIG. 7H , the support layer  210  is removed to release the switch beam  150 . 
   If the support layer  210  comprises of SiO 2 , then it will typically be wet etched away in the final fabrication sequence by using a hydrofluoric acid (HF) solution. The etch and rinses are preferably performed with post-processing in a critical point dryer to ensure that the switch beam  150  does not come into contact with the substrate  101  when the support layer  210  is removed. If contact occurs during this process, device sticking and switch failure are likely. Contact is prevented by transferring the switch from a liquid phase (e.g. HF) environment to a gaseous phase (e.g. air) environment not directly, but by introducing a supercritical phase in between the liquid and gaseous phases. The sample is etched in HF and rinsed with DI water by dilution, so that the switch is not removed from a liquid during the process. DI water is similarly replaced with ethanol. The sample is transferred to the critical point dryer and the chamber is sealed. High pressure liquid CO 2  replaces the ethanol in the chamber, so that there is only CO 2  surrounding the sample. The chamber is heated so that the CO 2  changes into the supercritical phase. Pressure is then released so that the CO 2  changes into the gaseous phase. Now that the sample is surrounded only by gas, it may be removed from the chamber into room air. 
   The fabrication of an alternative embodiment according to the present invention is depicted in  FIGS. 8A-8D . As indicated above, it is preferred that the fingers of the interdigitated fingers  181  have a thickness of at least 5 μm so that the lateral electrostatic voltage V L  is kept to around 50V or less. However, as discussed above and shown in  FIG. 7F , the metal for the interdigitated finger  181  can be deposited at the same time as the metal for the beam electrode  156 . If the metal layer for the beam electrode  156  is 5 μm, the switch beam will become thicker and may become stiffer and more difficult to pull down. Hence, the process shown in  FIGS. 7A-7H , may require one to choose between a lower lateral electrostatic voltage V L  and a higher transition voltage V T  between the beam electrode  156  and the substrate electrode  158 , or a higher lateral electrostatic voltage V L  and a lower transition voltage V T .  FIGS. 8A-8D  depict the fabrication of an embodiment in which the interdigitated fingers  181  may have a different thickness than the beam electrode  156 . 
     FIG. 8A  depicts a process step similar to that shown in  FIG. 7F , in which metal is deposited to form the beam electrode  156  and the tip  161 . However, in this step, the metal for the interdigitated fingers is not yet deposited.  FIG. 8B  depicts another metal deposition step, in which the gold (or other electrically conductive material) for the interdigitated fingers is deposited with a metal layer thicker than that used to form the beam electrode  156 . As discussed above, a preferred thickness for the interdigitated fingers is 5 μm.  FIGS. 8C and 8D  depict process steps similar to those depicted in  FIGS. 7G and 7H , in which the upper structural layer  151  is deposited and patterned and the support layer  210  is removed to release the switch beam  150 . As shown in  FIG. 8D , the metal layer  153  for the interdigitated finger  181  is thicker than the metal layer  153  for the beam electrode  156 . 
   As can be surmised by one skilled in the art, there are many more configurations of the present invention that may be used other than the ones presented herein. It is therefore intended that the foregoing detailed description be regarded as illustrative rather than limiting and that it be understood that it is the following claims, including all equivalents, that are intended to define the scope of this invention.