This dissertation concerns quasistatic torsional mirror's for optical applications. The intended main area of application is the use as switch in optical network's, replacing the conventional optical-electro-optical conversation. With these actuator's a new concept of electrostatic actuation has been realised. While the drive electrodes are integrated into the deflectable mirror, the whole counter electrode below the mirror plate remains at equal ground potential. The device is manufactured out of two parts using method's of silicon bulk mikro machining. A deflectable mirror plate, torsional spring's and the surrounding support structure are fabricated within the thin device layer at the top of BSOI material. The counter electrode is manufactured out of a highly doped silicon wafer. Both part's are assembled together by adhesive bonding at die level at the end. Since the driving potential is supplied to the mirror plate and the counter electrode is at ground level, lateral tolerances because of device assembly mismatches does not appear with the use of the new concept. In detail the mirror plate itself is divided into two seperate electrodes by a parallel arrangement of filled isolating trenches. The highly doped device layer provides electrical connection via the torsional spring's to the mirror electrodes. A quasistatic torsional actuation is performed if a dc-voltage is applied between one mirror side and the counter electrode. Several design's have been fabricated. The lateral dimension of the torsional mirror plate vary from 0,5 mm to 2,0 mm. The designed characteristic frequencies vary from 0,5 to 3 kHz. For quasistatic actuation the pull in angle vary from 1 to 5 degree and the pull in voltage goes up to several hundred volts. Accessorily the mirror plate is enclosed by a comb drive structure. So that the device could be used for low voltage resonant actuation or an capacitive position read out becomes feasible. Within this thesis the new concept has been verified and functionality has been demonstrated. Depending on their characteristic frequency, devices are suitable to perform quasistatic actuation within 10 ms. Experiments indicated that the electrical isolation damages irreversible at drive voltage's above 400 volt. It limits the maximum deflection of nearly all design's. At prototype actuators repeatability has been studied. No drift was observed in the static characteristic within several cycles for certain designs. Closed-loop position control is not mandatory for the actuators fabricated within this thesis. Mechanical stress inside the mirror plate causes deformation of the reflective surface larger than permitted by optical criteria. This paves the way for further device optimization, yield improvement and system integration.

This dissertation concerns quasistatic torsional mirror's for optical applications. The intended main area of application is the use as switch in optical network's, replacing the conventional optical-electro-optical conversation. With these actuator's a new concept of electrostatic actuation has been realised. While the drive electrodes are integrated into the deflectable mirror, the whole counter electrode below the mirror plate remains at equal ground potential. The device is manufactured out of two parts using method's of silicon bulk mikro machining. A deflectable mirror plate, torsional spring's and the surrounding support structure are fabricated within the thin device layer at the top of BSOI material. The counter electrode is manufactured out of a highly doped silicon wafer. Both part's are assembled together by adhesive bonding at die level at the end. Since the driving potential is supplied to the mirror plate and the counter electrode is at ground level, lateral tolerances because of device assembly mismatches does not appear with the use of the new concept. In detail the mirror plate itself is divided into two seperate electrodes by a parallel arrangement of filled isolating trenches. The highly doped device layer provides electrical connection via the torsional spring's to the mirror electrodes. A quasistatic torsional actuation is performed if a dc-voltage is applied between one mirror side and the counter electrode. Several design's have been fabricated. The lateral dimension of the torsional mirror plate vary from 0,5 mm to 2,0 mm. The designed characteristic frequencies vary from 0,5 to 3 kHz. For quasistatic actuation the pull in angle vary from 1 to 5 degree and the pull in voltage goes up to several hundred volts. Accessorily the mirror plate is enclosed by a comb drive structure. So that the device could be used for low voltage resonant actuation or an capacitive position read out becomes feasible. Within this thesis the new concept has been verified and functionality has been demonstrated. Depending on their characteristic frequency, devices are suitable to perform quasistatic actuation within 10 ms. Experiments indicated that the electrical isolation damages irreversible at drive voltage's above 400 volt. It limits the maximum deflection of nearly all design's. At prototype actuators repeatability has been studied. No drift was observed in the static characteristic within several cycles for certain designs. Closed-loop position control is not mandatory for the actuators fabricated within this thesis. Mechanical stress inside the mirror plate causes deformation of the reflective surface larger than permitted by optical criteria. This paves the way for further device optimization, yield improvement and system integration.