Micro-electro-mechanical switch, and methods of making and using it
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United States of America Patent
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Sep 14, 2004
Grant Date -
Jul 1, 2004
app pub date -
May 7, 2002
filing date -
May 7, 2002
priority date (Note) -
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Abstract
A micro-electro-mechanical (MEMS) switch (10, 110) has an electrode (22, 122) covered by a dielectric layer (23, 123), and has a flexible conductive membrane (31, 131) which moves between positions spaced from and engaging the dielectric layer. At least one of the membrane and dielectric layer has a textured surface (138) that engages the other thereof in the actuated position. The textured surface reduces the area of physical contact through which electric charge from the membrane can tunnel into and become trapped within the dielectric layer. This reduces the amount of trapped charge that could act to latch the membrane in its actuated position, which in turn effects a significant increase in the operational lifetime of the switch.
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