Low-power three-degree-of-freedom Lorentz force microelectromechanical system mirror for optical applications

Abstract

Abstract. A low-power three-degree-of-freedom scanning micromirror is presented. The 2-  ×  2-mm mirror is a gimbaless structure, directly supported by single-crystal microsprings. It is actuated by Lorentz force and is able to tilt about two axes and has linear motion in a third-axis. The transient and frequency responses of the micromirror are analyzed. The Lagrange’s equations of motions describing the dynamic behavior of the system are presented and show a good agreement with the experimental results. The fabricated microelectromechanical system mirror demonstrates a tilt angle of 22.8 deg at 247.5 Hz about y-axis, and 13.3 deg at 292.7 Hz about x-axis, in a 0.1 T magnetic field and 20-mA current on the mirror. Power consumption is 2.6 mW of power in tilting motions in resonant operation. With a total DC-drive current of 110 mA, 232-μm linear motion is achieved.