Reid J.R.
US Air Force Research Laboratory, AFRL/SNHA, US
Keywords: dielectric charging, microwave switches, reliability
Simulations of the effects of dielectric charging on the operation of electrostatically actuated capacitive microwave switches have been performed. The simulations are unique in that they incorporate fixed charges into the calculation of the beam deflection. These simulations show that fixed charges in the dielectric layer cause a shift in the capacitance-voltage curve of the switch. The shift in the curve is proportional to the magnitude and depth of the charge, while the direction of the shift is determined by the polarity of the charge. Further, it is shown that sufficient charge can result in a failure of the switch to release from the dielectric layer. The simulation is confirmed by comparison with measured data.
Journal: TechConnect Briefs
Volume: 1, Technical Proceedings of the 2002 International Conference on Modeling and Simulation of Microsystems
Published: April 22, 2002
Pages: 250 - 253
Industry sector: Sensors, MEMS, Electronics
Topic: MEMS & NEMS Devices, Modeling & Applications
ISBN: 0-9708275-7-1