Identifier

etd-08252005-130402

Degree

Master of Science in Electrical Engineering (MSEE)

Department

Electrical and Computer Engineering

Document Type

Thesis

Abstract

A design which uses bistable beams to modulate light is suggested in this thesis and appropriate processing techniques are presented. A beam when placed under compression above the Euler limit has two stable states. The compression in an electroplated beam can be controlled by the plating current density of nickel during electrodeposition. This beam is attached to an electromechanical comb. Voltages applied to the combs cause the beam to snap from one stable state to another. Structures were designed with dimensions that gave feasible voltages, snap distances, compressions required to snap. A two mask process was used for the fabrication of the device. The first mask delineates the sacrificial layer (AZ P4620) and the second mask delineates the electroplating mould (SU8-50). Developing techniques such as mechanical stirring at room temperature obtained bistable beam lengths of up to 1mm having an aspect ratio of 4. For higher aspect ratios such as 10 the amount of developed beam length was 200um. The dimensions that could be obtained were not adequate for practical applications. Use of better equipment such as a mega sonic bath is suggested to improve the development in the bistable beam length. Reducing the bistable beam lengths is also suggested as an option.

Date

2005

Document Availability at the Time of Submission

Release the entire work immediately for access worldwide.

Committee Chair

Martin Feldman

DOI

10.31390/gradschool_theses.119

Download

Share

COinS