Patent ID: 7773286

Claim:
A microelectromechanical (MEMS) device comprising: a substrate; an actuation electrode over the substrate; a reflective layer over the actuation electrode, the reflective layer including a plurality of apertures through the reflective layer and inwardly spaced from a lateral edge of the reflective layer; and a support layer between the actuation electrode and the reflective layer, the support layer including a recess below each of the plurality of apertures and between the actuation electrode and the plurality of apertures, wherein the recesses are in a pattern that is periodic in two dimensions along the support layer, wherein upon application of a control signal to the device, at least a first portion of the reflective layer is configured to move into the each of the recesses and at least a second portion of the reflective layer is configured to remain stationary, the first portion of the reflective layer comprising the plurality of apertures, wherein the reflectivity of the MEMS device is dominantly modulated by changing a phase difference between light reflected from the first portion and light reflected from the second portion.