Variable gap device and method of manufacture
Files
Published version
Date
1991-07-30
DOI
Authors
Blonder, Greg
LieBerman, Robert A.
Lamola, Angelo A.
Version
Published version
OA Version
Citation
Greg Blonder, Robert A LieBerman, Angelo A Lamola. "Variable gap device and method of manufacture." U.S. Patent RE33651-E.
Abstract
A variable gap device which comprises a suitable material with a cavity formed therein mounted over a body. Elements are formed on the surface of the body and on the top surface of the cavity. In one embodiment, the elements are electrodes of a variable capacitance device, and in another embodiment the elements are partial or total reflectors of incident light from an optical fiber. The surface of the cavity opposite the body is preferably flat and of the order of microns from the body. The device is fabricated by forming a removable layer over a temporary substrate. An appropriate element pattern is formed over the removable layer and the layer is etched in a configuration which will define the cavity. The deformable material is encapsulated over this structure and then removed from the substrate with the element remaining in the cavity. Any removable material remaining in the cavity can then be etched away.