Patent ID: 7436573

Claim:
A micromirror array device, comprising: a substrate; a post on the substrate, the post comprising an electrically conductive post layer; a deformable hinge held by the post on the substrate, the hinge comprising an electrically conductive hinge layer, wherein the electrically conductive hinge layer is electrically connected to the electrically conductive post layer of the post; and a reflective and deflectable mirror plate attached to the deformable hinge such that the mirror plate is capable of rotating relative the substrate, said mirror plate comprising an electrically conductive mirror plate layer that is electrically connected to the electrically conductive hinge layer; wherein at least one of the post, hinge or mirror plate further comprises an electrically insulating layer that is patterned so as to allow electrical connection to the electrically conductive layer of the another one of the post, hinge or mirror plate.