An optical system including a dual-layer microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) device, and methods of fabricating and operating the same are disclosed. Generally, the MEMS device includes a substrate having an upper surface; a top modulating layer including a number of light modulating micro-ribbons, each micro-ribbon supported above and separated from the upper surface of the substrate by spring structures in at least one lower actuating layer; and a mechanism for moving one or more of the micro-ribbons relative to the upper surface and/or each other. The spring structures are operable to enable the light modulating micro-ribbons to move continuously and vertically relative to the upper surface of the substrate while maintaining the micro-ribbons substantially parallel to one another and the upper surface of the substrate. The micro-ribbons can be reflective, transmissive, partially reflective/transmissive, and the device is operable to modulate a phase and/or amplitude of light incident thereon.

A pressure sensor chip includes a third conductive layer, a second insulating layer, a first conductive layer, a first insulating layer, and a second conductive layer stacked in order. The first insulating layer includes first and second cavities communicating externally. The second insulating layer includes third and fourth cavities respectively communicating with the second and first cavities. The first conductive layer includes first and second diaphragms, the second conductive layer includes first and second electrodes, and the third conductive layer includes third and fourth electrodes. The first diaphragm and the first electrode face each other with the cavity interposed therebetween, the second diaphragm and the electrode face each other with the first cavity interposed therebetween, the first diaphragm and the third electrode face each other with the fourth cavity interposed therebetween, and the second diaphragm and the fourth electrode face each other with the fourth cavity interposed therebetween.

An ultrasonic transducer includes a membrane, a bottom electrode, and a plurality of cavities disposed between the membrane and the bottom electrode, each of the plurality of cavities corresponding to an individual transducer cell. Portions of the bottom electrode corresponding to each individual transducer cell are electrically isolated from one another. Each portion of the bottom electrode corresponds to each individual transducer that cell further includes a first bottom electrode portion and a second bottom electrode portion, the first and second bottom electrode portions electrically isolated from one another.

A MEMS module includes: a MEMS element provided with a substrate in which a hollow portion is formed, and including a movable portion, which is a part of the substrate, around the hollow portion, the movable portion having a thickness whose shape is changeable by an air pressure difference between an air pressure inside the hollow portion and an air pressure outside the substrate; and an electronic component, to which an output signal of the MEMS element is inputted, formed on the substrate, wherein the electronic component and the MEMS element are spaced apart from each other in a direction perpendicular to a thickness direction of the movable portion.

A MEMS module includes: a first MEMS element and a second MEMS element each including a movable portion which is a portion of a substrate including a hollow portion formed therein, the movable portion configured to warp in shape according to an air pressure difference between an internal air pressure inside the hollow portion and an external air pressure outside the hollow portion; and an electronic component configured to calculate a change in external air pressure outside the substrate by using an amount of warpage of the movable portion of at least one of the first MEMS element and the second MEMS element, wherein the amount of warpage of the movable portion according to the external air pressure differs between the first MEMS element and the second MEMS element.

A MEMS temperature sensor including a clamped-clamped microbeam having a drive electrode on one side configured for applying an AC current, and a sense electrode diagonally situated on the other side, a first anchor at one end and a second anchor at the other end of the microbeam. The first anchor receive a DC bias currents, which heats the microbeam to an operating temperature. The sense electrode is configured to capacitively sense oscillations in the microbeam due to an applied AC current. The MEMS temperature sensor has a three wafer construction in which the components are formed. The device is encapsulated by aluminum, and metal wires connect the first and second anchor, the drive electrode and the sense electrode to side electrode pads outside of the encapsulation. The MEMS temperature sensor has a linear operating region of 30-60 degrees Celsius.

The present publication discloses a micromechanical structure including at least one active element, the micromechanical structure comprising a substrate, at least one layer formed on the substrate forming the at least part of the at least one active element, mechanical contact areas through which the micromechanical structure can be connected to other structures like printed circuit boards and like. In accordance with the invention the micromechanical structure includes weakenings like trenches around the mechanical contact areas for eliminating the thermal mismatch between the active element of the micromechanical structure and the other structures.

Described herein is a MEMS force sensor with stress concentration design. The stress concentration can be performed by providing slots, whether through or blind, and/or selective thinning of the substrate. The MEMS force sensor is in chip scale package with solder bumps or metal pillars and there are sensing elements formed on the sensor substrate at the stress concentrate area. The stress concentration can be realized through slots, selective thinning and a combination of both.

A piezoelectric microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) microphone is provided comprising a substrate including walls defining a cavity and at least one of the walls defining an anchor region, a piezoelectric film layer supported by the substrate at the anchor region such that the piezoelectric film layer is cantilevered, the piezoelectric film layer being formed to introduce differential stress between a front surface of the piezoelectric film layer oriented away from the cavity and a back surface of the piezoelectric film layer oriented towards the cavity such that the piezoelectric film layer is bent into the cavity, and an electrode disposed over the piezoelectric film layer and adjacent the anchor region. A method of manufacturing such a MEMS microphone is also provided.

A MEMS microphone includes a substrate having a cavity, a diaphragm disposed above the substrate to correspond to the cavity, and a back plate disposed above the diaphragm. The diaphragm has a plurality of grooves for adjusting an elastic strength of the diaphragm.