Abstract: A micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) device includes a mirror having a top surface with trenches, a beam connected to the mirror, rotational comb teeth connected to the beam, and one or more springs connecting the beam to a bonding pad. The mirror can have a bottom surface for reflecting light. The mirror can include a top flange and a bottom flange joined by a web, wherein the top and the bottom flanges form the top and the bottom surfaces, respectively. The rotational comb teeth can have a tapered shape. Stationary comb teeth can be interdigitated with the rotational comb teeth either in-plane or out-of-plane. Steady or oscillating voltage difference between the rotational and the stationary comb teeth can be used to oscillate or tune the mirror.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the invention, a MEMS structure includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and a mobile element. The first electrode is coupled to a first voltage source. The second electrode is coupled to a second voltage source. The mobile element includes a third electrode coupled to a third voltage source. A steady voltage difference between the first electrode and the third electrode is used to tune the natural frequency of the structure to a scanning frequency of an application. An oscillating voltage difference between the second electrode and the third electrode at the scanning frequency of the application is used to oscillate the mobile element. In one embodiment, the mobile unit is a mirror.

Abstract: A MEMS scanning mirror device includes a scanning mirror, rotational comb teeth, stationary comb teeth, distributed serpentine springs, and anchors. The scanning mirror and the rotational comb teeth are driven by electrostatic force from stationary in-plane and/or out-of-plane teeth. The mirror is attached to the rotational comb structure by multiple support attachments. Multiple serpentine springs serve as the flexible hinges that link the movable structure to the stationary support structure.

Abstract: A micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) mirror device includes a mirror coupled to an actuator by a first torsional hinge along a rotational axis. The actuator has a body and a group of rotational teeth extending from the body. An anchor is coupled another end of the actuator by a second torsional hinge along the rotational axis.

Abstract: A micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) mirror device includes a mirror coupled to a rotating frame by a first torsional hinge along a rotational axis. The rotating frame has a body that defines a frame opening, and a group of rotational teeth extending from the body. A first bonding pad is located in the frame opening and coupled to the rotating frame by a second torsional hinge along the rotational axis. A second bonding pad is coupled to the rotating frame by a third torsional hinge along the rotational axis.

Abstract: A static magnetic memory includes a layer having a plurality of vertically oriented and shape-anisotropic elongated ferromagnetic particles. A plurality of writing conductors are adjacent the layer, and the conductors selectively apply magnetic fields to selected regions of the layer by directing electrical current to magnetize the particles in an up or down direction. Static reading means detect the direction of magnetization. The particles may include a soft magnet portion and a hard magnet portion. In another preferred embodiment, a material and a method of making same includes providing a matrix full of elongated holes, depositing a first magnetic material having a first coercivity into the holes, and then depositing a second magnetic material having a second coercivity into the holes to form a composite elongated particle in each hole.