Abstract
A method of optimizing the shape of the driving electrode for switching application is proposed. This method increases the driving force, and decreases the driving voltage of the in-plane electrostatic MEMS switches as well. In this method, optimized comb shape is adopted so that better performance is obtained without the deterioration of other aspects of performance: the area of the device and the requirement of the process are similar to the traditional in-plane devices. Compared with the traditional comb tooth electrode, the experimental results show that the pull-down voltage of the optimized driving electrode is 39% lower than that of the traditional comb tooth electrode, and the driving performance is improved obviously. At a line width of 6 μm, a MEMS switch with a critical pull-down voltage of 14 V is implemented.
References
Engelen JBC, Lantz MA, Rothuizen HE et al (2009) Improved performance of large stroke comb-drive actuators by using a stepped finger shape: solid-state sensors, actuators and microsystems conference, . Transducers 2009. International, 2009[C]. IEEE, 2009
Gao Y (2015) Research on the in-plane electrostatic MEMS DC Switch [D]. Tsinghua University
Hirano T, Furuhata T, Gabriel KJ et al (1992) Design, fabrication, and operation of submicron gap comb-drive microactuators. J Microelectromech Syst 1(1):52–59
Jensen BD, Mutlu S, Miller S et al (2003) Shaped comb fingers for tailored electromechanical restoring force. J Microelectromech Syst 12(3):373–383
Kang S, Kim HC, Chun K (2009) A low-loss, single-pole, four-throw RF MEMS switch driven by a double stop comb drive. J Micromech Microeng 19:35011
Legtenberg R, Groeneveld AW, Elwenspoek M (1996) Comb-drive actuators for large displacements. J Micromech Microeng 6(3):320–329
Park KY, Oh YS (1998) Laterally oscillated and force-balanced micro vibratory rate gyroscope supported by fish-hook-shaped springs. Sensors Actuators A-Physical 64(1):69–76
Rosa MA, Harrison HB (1998a) Enhanced electrostatic force generation capability of angled comb finger design used in electrostatic comb-drive actuators. Electron Lett 34(18):1787–1788
Rosa MA, Harrison HB (1998b) Improved operation of micromechanical comb-drive actuators through the use of a new angled comb finger design. J Intell Mater Syst Struct 9(4)
Ye W, Mukherjee S, Macdonald NC (1998) Optimal shape design of an electrostatic comb drive in microelectromechanical systems. J Microelectromech Syst 7(1):16–26
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2017 Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.
About this entry
Cite this entry
Zhao, J., Gao, Y. (2017). Electrostatic Comb-Drived Actuator for MEMS Relay/Switch. In: Huang, QA. (eds) Micro Electro Mechanical Systems. Micro/Nano Technologies, vol 2. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-2798-7_30-1
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-2798-7_30-1
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Singapore
Print ISBN: 978-981-10-2798-7
Online ISBN: 978-981-10-2798-7
eBook Packages: Springer Reference EngineeringReference Module Computer Science and Engineering