Lateral polysilicon microrelays with a mercury microdrop contact

被引:19
作者
Simon, J [1 ]
Saffer, S [1 ]
Sherman, F [1 ]
Kim, CJ [1 ]
机构
[1] Univ Calif Los Angeles, Dept Aerosp & Mech Engn, Livermore, CA 90095 USA
关键词
cantilever; comb drive; electrostatic; mercury; microrelay;
D O I
10.1109/41.735328
中图分类号
TP [自动化技术、计算机技术];
学科分类号
0812 ;
摘要
We present two designs for electrostatically actuated poll silicon relays with a stationary mercury microdrop contact: a large displacement cantilever design and a comb-drive design, both fabricated using the multiuser microelectromechanical systems process of MCNC, Research Triangle Park, NC. Microscale mercury relays combine the high density and batch fabrication of a microscale device with the quality and reliability of a mercury contact, Contact resistance of the devices were found to be similar to 1 k Omega in air with no attempt made to reduce the oxidation of the polysilicon and mercury surfaces. The devices can switch currents over 10 mA, Switching results are presented. The cantilever device is based on a curved electrode design, providing both relatively large force and large displacement of the tip, which contacts the mercury for switching. Nonlinear modeling of the beam movement is also provided. The comb-drive device has the usual double-folded beam design, but has a mercury drop near its center. Fabrication of 10-mu m diameter mercury drops as the last step of the processing sequence is also discussed.
引用
收藏
页码:854 / 860
页数:7
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