Abstract: A switching device includes a stationary portion, a movable portion having a movable land portion, and a first beam portion and a second beam portion that couple the movable land portion and the stationary portion with each other. A first signal line extends over the movable land portion, the first beam portion, and the stationary portion, and has a movable contact portion on the movable land portion, a second signal line faces the movable contact portion, a first driving line extends over the movable land portion, the second beam portion, and the stationary portion, and has a movable driving electrode portion on the movable land portion, and a second driving line having a stationary driving electrode portion faces the movable driving electrode portion.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an elastic wave device includes: forming comb-shaped electrodes for exciting elastic waves on a piezoelectric substrate; forming a dielectric layer having a thickness greater than that of the comb-shaped electrode so as to cover the comb-shaped electrodes, forming an etch back layer so as to cover the dielectric layer, and etching an etch back layer and part of the dielectric layer under the conditions where the etch back layer and the dielectric layer are thinned at the same rate.

Abstract: A micro movable device includes a base substrate, a fixed portion bonded to the base substrate, a movable portion having a fixed end connected to the fixed portion and extending along the base substrate, and a piezoelectric drive provided on the movable portion and the fixed portion on a side opposite to the base substrate. The piezoelectric drive has a laminate structure provided by a first electrode film contacting the movable portion and the fixed portion, a second electrode film and a piezoelectric film between the first and the second electrode films. At least one of the movable portion and the fixed portion is provided with a groove extending along the piezoelectric drive.

Abstract: A micro movable device includes a base substrate, a fixed portion bonded to the base substrate, a movable portion having a fixed end connected to the fixed portion and extending along the base substrate, and a piezoelectric drive provided on the movable portion and the fixed portion on a side opposite to the base substrate. The piezoelectric drive has a laminate structure provided by a first electrode film contacting the movable portion and the fixed portion, a second electrode film and a piezoelectric film between the first and the second electrode films. At least one of the movable portion and the fixed portion is provided with a groove extending along the piezoelectric drive.

Abstract: A microswitching element includes a base substrate, a fixing portion attached to the base substrate, and a movable portion including a fixed end fixed to the fixing portion. The movable portion is surrounded by the fixing portion via a slit having a pair of closed ends. The movable portion includes a first surface and a second surface. The first surface faces the base substrate, and the second surface is opposite to the first surface. The microswitching element also includes a movable contact portion provided on the second surface of the movable portion, and a pair of fixed contact electrodes each including a contact surface facing the movable contact portion. The fixed contact electrodes are attached to the fixing portion.

Abstract: A micro-switching device includes a base substrate and a cantilever fixed to the base substrate via a spacer or anchor portion. The cantilever has an inner surface facing the substrate and an outer surface opposite to the inner surface. A conductive strip is formed on the outer surface of the cantilever. The switching device also includes a pair of stationary electrodes fixed to the base substrate. Each of the electrodes includes a downward contacting part spaced from the conductive strip on the cantilever. As the cantilever bends upward, the conductive strip is brought into contact with the contacting parts of the respective stationary electrodes.

Abstract: A lower movable electrode 35, having line sections 35a, 35a on both ends and a capacitor section 35b in the center, and an upper movable electrode 37, having line sections 37a, 37a on both ends and a capacitor section 37b in the center, are placed so that the capacitor sections 35b, 37b face each other, and drive electrodes of lower-movable-electrode actuators 27a, 27b, 27c, 27d driving the lower movable electrode 35 and upper-movable-electrode actuators 29a, 29b, 29c, 29d driving the upper movable electrode 37 are electrically separated from the lower movable electrode 35 and upper movable electrode 37. These actuators 27a to 27d and/or 29a to 29d move the lower movable electrode 35 and/or upper movable electrode 37 to adjust the distance between both capacitor sections 35b, 37b, and control the electrostatic capacity.

Abstract: A micro-switching device includes a base substrate, a fixing member on the substrate, a movable part having an end fixed to the fixing member and extending along the substrate, a movable contact electrode provided on the movable part and facing away from the substrate, a pair of stationary contact electrodes bonded to the fixing member and including a region facing the movable contact electrode, a movable driver electrode between the movable contact electrode and the stationary end on the movable part at a surface facing away from the substrate, and a stationary driver electrode bonded to the fixing member and including an elevated portion having a region facing the movable driver electrode. The elevated portion is provided with steps facing the movable driver electrode, where the steps are closer to the substrate as they are farther from the movable contact electrode.

Abstract: A switch includes a first member, one end of which being secured to a substrate, multiple first beam portions respectively having multiple first contact portions, one ends of the multiple beam portions being secured to the first member, multiple contact switch portions connected in parallel, the multiple first contact portions and multiple second contact portions being in a contact state or in a non-contact state in the multiple contact switch portions, and resistors arranged respectively between the multiple contact switch portions and a common connection point to which the multiple contact switch portions are coupled. When at least one of the multiple switch portions is in a contact state, one of the resistors corresponding to the at least one of the multiple switch portions in a contact state has a resistance value greater than another one of the resistors corresponding to at least one of the multiple contact switch portions that is in a non-contact state.

Abstract: A micro-switching device includes a fixing portion, a movable portion, a first electrode with first and second contacts, a second electrode with a third contact contacting the first contact, and a third electrode with a fourth contact opposing the second contact. In manufacturing the micro-switching device., the first electrode is formed on a substrate, and a sacrifice layer is formed on the substrate to cover the first electrode. Then, a first recess and a shallower second recess are formed in the sacrifice layer at a position corresponding to the first electrode. The second electrode is formed to have a portion opposing the first electrode via the sacrifice layer, and to fill the first recess. The third electrode is formed to have a portion opposing the first electrode via the sacrifice layer; and to fill the second recess. Thereafter the sacrifice layer is removed.

Abstract: A switch includes a movable portion, a first electrode and a second electrode. The movable portion is provided on a substrate and moves with respect to the substrate. The first electrode is provided on the movable portion. The second electrode is able to contact with the first electrode and is fixed to the substrate. f×Ro×C?1.6×10?4 when an operation frequency is represented as “f” (Hz), a transmission impedance is represented as “Ro” (?), and a capacitance in “OFF” state between the first electrode and the second electrode is represented as “C” (F).

Abstract: A micro-switching device includes a movable electrode provided on a movable support having an end fixed to a fixing member. The switching device also includes first and second stationary electrodes. The movable electrode includes first and second contact portions. The first stationary electrode includes a third contact portion facing the first contact portion of the movable electrode. The second stationary electrode includes a fourth contact portion facing the second contact portion of the movable electrode. The distance between the first and the third contact portions is smaller than the distance between the second and the fourth contact portions. The switching device further includes a driving mechanism having a driving force generation region provided on the movable support. The center of gravity of the driving force generation region is closer to the second contact portion than to the first contact portion.

Abstract: A method is provided for making a micro-switching element. The switching element includes a substrate, two supporting members fixed to the substrate, and a movable beam bridging between the supporting members. The beam includes a membrane, a movable contact electrode and a movable driving electrode, both disposed on the membrane. The switching element also includes a pair of stationary contact electrodes facing the movable contact electrode, and a stationary driving electrode cooperating with the movable driving electrode for generation of electrostatic force. The method includes the steps of making a sacrifice layer on the substrate, making the membrane on the sacrifice layer, and subjecting the sacrifice layer to etching with the membrane intervening, so that the supporting members are formed as remaining portions of the sacrifice layer between the substrate and the membrane.

Abstract: The first movable electrode is flat, but the second movable electrode is deformed into a convex shape. A dielectric layer is placed on the facing surface of the second movable electrode. By adjusting a voltage to be applied between the first movable electrode and the second movable electrode, an arbitrary distance is secured between the two electrodes by the electrostatic attractive force generated between the two electrodes, and a desired electrostatic capacitance is obtained. When the distance between the two electrodes is shortened, first, at the center, a part of the first movable electrode and a part of the second movable electrode come into contact with each other with the dielectric layer between them. Then, the first movable electrode and the dielectric layer (second movable electrode) come into contact with each other successively from the contact part towards the periphery side, and the contact area gradually increases.

Abstract: A microswitching device includes a base, a fixed portion joined to the base, a movable portion extending along the base and having a fixed end fixed to the fixed portion, a movable contact electrode film provided on a side of the movable portion opposite the base, a pair of fixed contact electrodes joined to the fixed portion and having a region opposing the movable contact electrode film, a movable driving electrode film provided on a side of the movable portion opposite the base, and a fixed driving electrode having a region opposing the movable driving electrode film. The movable driving electrode film is thinner than the movable contact electrode film. The fixed driving electrode is joined to the fixed portion joined to the base.

Abstract: A microstructure, suitable for avoiding sticking phenomena, includes a base, a first structural portion joined to the base, and a second structural portion opposed to the base and having a fixed end fixed to the first structural portion. Such a microstructure is made by a method including the step of processing a material substrate having a stacked structure made of a first layer, a second layer, and an intermediate layer between the first and second layers. By this method, the first layer is formed with the first structural portion, the second structural portion having the fixed end fixed to the first structural portion, and a support beam bridging the first and second structural portions. Thereafter, wet etching is performed to remove a region of the intermediate layer between the second layer and the second structural portion, followed by a drying step, and a cutting step with respect to the support beam.

Abstract: A switch includes multiple torsion springs with each of one ends thereof secured to a substrate, a beam portion, to which each of the other ends of the multiple torsion springs is secured, and which is swung by an electrostatic actuator, and a switch contact portion in which a first contact provided at the beam portion and a second contact secured to the substrate are in connection or disconnection.

Abstract: A switch includes a first member, one end of which being secured to a substrate, multiple first beam portions respectively having multiple first contact portions, one ends of the multiple beam portions being secured to the first member, multiple contact switch portions connected in parallel, the multiple first contact portions and multiple second contact portions being in a contact state or in a non-contact state in the multiple contact switch portions, and resistors arranged respectively between the multiple contact switch portions and a common connection point to which the multiple contact switch portions are coupled. When at least one of the multiple switch portions is in a contact state, one of the resistors corresponding to the at least one of the multiple switch portions in a contact state has a resistance value greater than another one of the resistors corresponding to at least one of the multiple contact switch portions that is in a non-contact state.

Abstract: The first movable electrode is flat, but the second movable electrode is deformed into a convex shape. A dielectric layer is placed on the facing surface of the second movable electrode. By adjusting a voltage to be applied between the first movable electrode and the second movable electrode, an arbitrary distance is secured between the two electrodes by the electrostatic attractive force generated between the two electrodes, and a desired electrostatic capacitance is obtained. When the distance between the two electrodes is shortened, first, at the center, a part of the first movable electrode and a part of the second movable electrode come into contact with each other with the dielectric layer between them. Then, the first movable electrode and the dielectric layer (second movable electrode) come into contact with each other successively from the contact part towards the periphery side, and the contact area gradually increases.

Abstract: A lower movable electrode 35, having line sections 35a, 35a on both ends and a capacitor section 35b in the center, and an upper movable electrode 37, having line sections 37a, 37a on both ends and a capacitor section 37b in the center, are placed so that the capacitor sections 35b, 37b face each other, and drive electrodes of lower-movable-electrode actuators 27a, 27b, 27c, 27d driving the lower movable electrode 35 and upper-movable-electrode actuators 29a, 29b, 29c, 29d driving the upper movable electrode 37 are electrically separated from the lower movable electrode 35 and upper movable electrode 37. These actuators 27a to 27d and/or 29a to 29d move the lower movable electrode 35 and/or upper movable electrode 37 to adjust the distance between both capacitor sections 35b, 37b, and control the electrostatic capacity.