Patent ID: 7372615

Claim:
A method of operating a micromechanical device assembly comprising: providing a micromechanical device that comprises: a first contact surface; an electrode coupled to a base; and a mirror coupled to the base and having a conductive region, a reflective mirror surface and a second contact surface, wherein the second contact surface interacts with the first contact surface during device operation; and a power supply that is in electrical communication with the conductive region and the electrode; exposing the reflective mirror surface to optical radiation delivered from a light source; biasing the electrode relative to the conductive region to a potential that causes the mirror to move to a desired position and that causes the first contact surface to interact with the second contact surface; and disposing a gas-phase lubricant between the first contact surface and the second contact surface at a predetermined pressure, wherein the gas-phase lubricant is not susceptible to substantial fragmentation, breakdown or out-gassing when exposed to the optical radiation and is adapted to reduce stiction between the first contact surface and the second contact surface.