Patent ID: 7766456

Claim:
An electrostatic actuator including a fixed electrode formed on a substrate, a movable electrode arranged opposite to the fixed electrode via a predetermined gap and a driving means for causing a displacement of the movable electrode by generating an electrostatic force between the fixed electrode and the movable electrode, the electrostatic actuator characterized by comprising: an insulation film provided on one or both of opposing surfaces of the fixed electrode and the movable electrode and a surface protection film provided on the insulation film, the surface protection film being made of a hard ceramic film or a hard carbon film, wherein when the insulation film and the surface protection film are not provided on the opposing surface of the movable electrode, a second insulation film is provided on the opposing surface thereof, and wherein at least one of the insulation film and the second insulation film is a dielectric material having a relative permittivity higher than that of silicon oxide.