Patent ID: 8411550

Claim:
An apparatus, comprising: a substrate; a lateral actuation structure coupled with the substrate; a micro-electro-mechanical (MEMS) probe coupled with the lateral actuation structure by one or more torsional beams, the MEMS probe comprising a beam member comprising a first end, a second end comprising a probe tip, and a longitudinal axis extending between the first end and the second end, each torsional beam comprising an axis about which the torsional beam rotates, the MEMS probe being coupled to the one or more torsional beams along the beam member between the first end and the second end of the beam member, the MEMS probe being rotatably actuated around the axis of each torsional beam so that the second end moves in a direction substantially normal to a surface of the substrate; and one or more stop beam structures coupled with the lateral actuation structure to restrict motion of the MEMS probe in the direction substantially normal to the surface of the substrate.