Micro magnetic latching switches and methods of making same

A latching micro magnetic switch, the switch comprising:

• a magnet, located proximate to a supporting structure, the magnet producing a first magnetic field with field lines symmetrically spaced about a central axis;
• a cantilever, supported by the supporting structure, having a magnetic material and a longitudinal axis, the magnetic material making the cantilever sensitive to the first magnetic field, such that the cantilever is configured to move between first and second states;
• and
• a conductor, located proximate to the supporting structure and the cantilever, configured to conduct a current, wherein the current produces a second magnetic field that causes the cantilever to switch between the first and second states.

A latching micro magnetic switch, the switch comprising:

• a magnet located proximate to a supporting structure, the magnet producing a first magnetic field with non-uniformly spaced field lines;
• a cantilever, supported by the supporting structure, having a magnetic materials and a longitudinal axis approximately perpendicular to the uniformly spaced field lines, wherein the magnetic material makes the cantilever sensitive to the first magnetic field, such that the cantilever can move between first and second states;
• and
• a conductor, located proximate to the supporting structure and the cantilever, configured to conduct a current, wherein the current produces a second magnetic field having a component parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cantilever that causes the cantilever to switch between the first and second states.