Patent ID: 7411713

Claim:
A method of forming an array of micromirror elements, comprising the steps of: depositing a first spacer layer on a substrate; patterning the first spacer layer to define lower hinge support vias and raised electrode vias; depositing a raised electrode layer over the first spacer layer; patterning the raised electrode layer to form at least two raised electrodes associated with each micromirror elements; depositing a second spacer layer over the patterned raised electrodes; patterning the second spacer layer to form hinge support vias over the lower hinge support vias; depositing a hinge layer over the second spacer layer; patterning the hinge layer to form at least one hinge associated with each micromirror element; depositing a third spacer layer over the hinge layer; patterning the third spacer layer to define mirror support vias; depositing a mirror layer over the third spacer layer; patterning the mirror layer to form an array of micromirrors; and removing the first, second, and third spacer layers.