Patent ID: 6880235

Claim:
A method of forming a beam for a MEMS switch, the method comprising: forming a first contact, a second contact and an actuation electrode on a substrate; forming a release layer on an upper surface of the substrate such that the release layer includes an opening to the first contact yet covers the second contact, the actuation electrode and a remaining portion of the first contact; forming a conductive layer on the release layer, the conductive layer including a first end and second end such that the first end of the conductive layer is attached to the first contact through the opening in the release layer, the conductive layer including a tapered section that is wider at the first end and more narrow near the second end where the tapered section engages an end section that is above the second contact on the substrate, the end section being wider than the tapered section where the tapered section meets the end section; and removing the release layer to form the beam.