Arrangement and method for controlling a micromechanical element

A shorting circuit comprising:

• a first micromechanical element proximal to a second micromechanical element each being responsive to respective first and second deflection means for moving the respective micromechanical elements;
• current limiting means,
• a grounding conductor associated with the deflection means and current limiting means;
• wherein the first deflection means is engagable with the second deflection means to effect shorting, wherein the first micromechanical element is arranged substantially perpendicular to the second micromechanical element.

A shorting circuit comprising:

• a first micromechanical element proximal to a second micromechanical element each being responsive to respective first and second deflection means for moving the respective micromechanical elements;
• current limiting means,
• a grounding conductor associated with the deflection means and current limiting means;
• wherein the first deflection means is engagable with the second deflection means to effect shorting, wherein the respective deflection means comprises one or more electrodes to pull-in or pull-off the micromechanical element from a contact electrode, wherein the pull-in electrode of the first micromechanical element is engagable with the contact electrode of the second micromechanical element to effect shorting of the first micromechanical element.

A method for controlling a nonvolatile memory arrangement having a micromechanical element, a contact electrode, and a switching electrode, comprising:

• applying a first biasing voltage to the switching electrode;
• moving the micromechanical element from a first state spaced from the contact electrode to a second state in contact with the contact electrode such that adhesive energy at the interface between the micromechanical element and the contact electrode is generated;
• increasing the elastic energy of the micromechanical element to a value greater than the adhesive energy at the interface between the micromechanical element and the contact electrode;
• and
• moving the micromechanical element to the first state.