Micro-actuator array, micro-actuator device, optical switch, array, and optical switch system

A microactuator device comprising a microactuator array and a controlling section,

• the microactuator array comprising:
• a plurality of microactuators, each microactuator comprising a movable section that is movable with respect to a fixed section, a first electrode disposed at the fixed section, and a second electrode disposed at the movable section and capable of generating electrostatic force between the first electrode and the second electrode by a voltage applied between the first electrode and the second electrode;
• a first terminal group comprising a plurality of terminals;
• and
• a second terminal group comprising a plurality of terminals,
• wherein the movable section of each microactuator is movable between a first position where the electrostatic force is increased and a second position where the electrostatic force is reduced or eliminated, and so that a restoring force for restoring the movable section of each microactuator to the second position is generated,
• wherein the first electrode of each micro actuator is electrically connected to one terminal of either one of the first terminal group and the second terminal group, and is not electrically connected to the rest of the terminals of the first and second terminal groups,
• wherein the second electrode of each microactuator is electrically connected to one terminal of the other of the first terminal group and the second terminal group, and is not electrically connected to the rest of the terminals of the first and second terminal groups,
• wherein a combination of the one terminal of either one of the first terminal group and the second terminal group electrically connected to the first electrode of each microactuator and the one terminal of the other of the first terminal group and the second terminal group electrically connected to the second electrode of each microactuator is characteristic of each microactuator,
• wherein at least one terminal of the first terminal group is electrically connected to the first electrodes or the second electrodes of at least two of the plurality of microactuators, and
• wherein at least one terminal of the second terminal group is electrically connected to the first electrodes or the second electrodes of at least two of the plurality of microactuators;
• the controlling section is connected to the terminals of the first and second terminal groups, and controls switching between the positions of the movable sections of the respective microactuators by controlling electrical potentials at the respective terminals of the first and second terminal groups, the controlling section is constructed so that each terminal of the first terminal group is settable at first, second, and third electrical potential states, and so that each terminal of the second terminal group is settable at fourth, fifth, and sixth electrical potential states,
• wherein the magnitudes of electrical potentials of the first to sixth electrical potential states satisfy a relationship in which:
• the electrical potential of the first electrical potential state>the electrical potential of the second electrical potential state>the electrical potential of the third electrical potential state≧the electrical potential of the fourth electrical potential state>the electrical potential of the fifth electrical potential state>the electrical potential of the sixth electrical potential state, or satisfy the reverse relationship in magnitude,
• wherein the difference between the electrical potential of the first electrical potential state and the electrical potential of the sixth electrical potential state is a voltage that moves to the first position the movable section of at least one microactuator, among the plurality of microactuators, having the movable section positioned at the second position when the electrical potential difference is applied between the first and second electrodes of said at least one microactuator,
• wherein the difference between the electrical potential of the third electrical potential state and the electrical potential of the fourth electrical potential state is a voltage that restores to the second position the movable section of at least one microactuator, among the plurality of microactuators, having the movable section positioned at the first position when the electrical potential difference is applied between the first and second electrodes of said at least one microactuator,
• wherein the difference between the electrical potential of the third electrical potential state and the electrical potential of the fifth electrical potential state and the difference between the electrical potential of the second electrical potential state and the electrical potential of the fourth electrical potential state are voltages that maintain at the first position and do not restore to the second position the movable section of at least one microactuator, among the plurality of microactuators, having the movable section positioned at the first position when the electrical potential differences are applied between the first and second electrodes of said at least one microactuator, and
• wherein the difference between the electrical potential of the second electrical potential state and the electrical potential of the fifth electrical potential state is a voltage that maintains at the second position and does not restore to the first position the movable section of at least one microactuator, among the plurality of microactuators, having the movable section positioned at the second position when the electrical potential difference is applied between the first and second electrodes of said at least one microactuator.

A microactuator device comprising a microactuator array, a magnetic field generating section for generating a magnetic field, and a controlling section,

• the microactuator array comprising:
• a plurality of microactuators, each microactuator comprising a movable section that is movable with respect to a fixed section, a first electrode disposed at the fixed section, and a second electrode disposed at the movable section and capable of generating electrostatic force between the first electrode and the second electrode by a voltage applied between the first electrode and the second electrode;
• a first terminal group comprising a plurality of terminals;
• and
• a second terminal group comprising a plurality of terminals,
• wherein the movable section of each microactuator is movable between a first position where the electrostatic force is increased and a second position where the electrostatic force is reduced or eliminated, and so that a restoring force for restoring the movable section of each microactuator to the second position is generated,
• wherein the first electrode of each microactuator is electrically connected to one terminal of either one of the first terminal group and the second terminal group, and is not electrically connected to the rest of the terminals of the first and second terminal groups,
• wherein the second electrode of each microactuator is electrically connected to one terminal of the other of the first terminal group and the second terminal group, and is not electrically connected to the rest of the terminals of the first and second terminal groups,
• wherein a combination of the one terminal of either one of the first terminal group and the second terminal group electrically connected to the first electrode of each microactuator and the one terminal of the other of the first terminal group and the second terminal group electrically connected to the second electrode of each micro actuator is characteristic of each micro actuator,
• wherein at least one terminal of the first terminal group is electrically connected to the first electrodes or the second electrodes of at least two of the plurality of microactuators,
• wherein at least one terminal of the second terminal group is electrically connected to the first electrodes or the second electrodes of at least two of the plurality of microactuators, and
• wherein the movable section of each microactuator has an electrical current path for generating Lorentz force by disposing the electrical path of each microactuator in the magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generating section and passing electrical current;
• the controlling section is electrically connected to each terminal of the first and second terminal groups and to the electrical current path of each microactuator, and controls switching between the positions of the movable section of each microactuator by controlling an electrical potential of each terminal of the first and second terminal group and the electrical current flowing in the electrical current path of each microactuator, the controlling section is constructed so that each terminal of the first terminal group is settable at first and second electrical potential states and so that each terminal of the second terminal group is settable at third and fourth electrical potential states,
• wherein the difference between an electrical potential of the second electrical potential state and an electrical potential of the fourth electrical potential state is a voltage that moves to the first position the movable section of at least one microactuator, among the plurality of microactuators, having the movable section positioned at the second position when the electrical potential difference is applied between the first and second electrodes of said at least one microactuator and when a predetermined electrical current is passed through the electrical current path of said at least one microactuator,
• wherein the difference between an electrical potential of the first electrical potential state and an electrical potential of a third electrical potential state is a voltage that restores to the second position the movable section of at least one microactuator, among the plurality of microactuators, having the movable section positioned at the first position when the electrical potential difference is applied between the first and second electrodes of said at least one microactuator, and
• wherein the difference between the electrical potential of the second electrical potential state and the electrical potential of the third electrical potential state and the difference between the electrical potential of the first electrical potential state and the electrical potential of the fourth electrical potential state are voltages that maintain at the first position and do not restore to the second position the movable section of at least one microactuator, among the plurality of microactuators, having the movable section positioned at the first position when the electrical potential differences are applied between the first and second electrodes of said at least one microactuator.