Micromirror device using interdigitated cantilevers and applications thereof

Abstract

Disclosed are a micromirror device made in a simple structure using interdigitated cantilevers and having two stable rotational states, and applications thereof. The micromirror device comprises: (a) a substrate; (b) at least two protruded support posts arranged protrudedly in two columns of left and right sides on the substrate and apart by a predetermined interval from each other; (c) multiple cantilevers formed in parallel with the substrate, each having one end attached at the upper end portion of the respective protruded support posts and made in a thin strip having an elastic restoring force, wherein the cantilevers adjacent to each other are arranged to be parallel and interdigitated; (d) mirror support posts coupled to upper portions of the other ends of the cantilevers; (e) a mirror attached on upper portions of the whole mirror support posts and supported by the mirror support posts; and (f) two electrodes formed at left and right sides on the substrate, for providing an electrostatic force to the mirror, wherein the micromirror device reflects light incident into the mirror in different directions from each other by using an electrostatic force due to a voltage applied between the electrodes and the mirror, and the elastic restoring force of the cantilevers. The micromirror device can drive the mirror in two directions and adjust a rotational angle of the mirror using the electrostatic force due to a potential difference between the electrodes and the mirror for reflecting incident light, and the elastic restoring force of the cantilevers.