Experimental Investigation of Dynamic Response of RF-MEMS Switches

Ohmic and capacitive switches constitute an important segment of radio frequency microelectromechanical systems (RF-MEMS) components. The main function of these switches is to provide very rapid opening and closing of electrical contacts. To fulfill this requirement, the structural dynamics and coupled-physics response of candidate switch designs must be thoroughly understood. This paper presents a set of dynamic experimentation of two RF-MEMS ohmic switches with different geometries to determine their natural frequencies, mode shapes, and damping characteristics at pressures spanning from vacuum to atmospheric. The experimental facility used for the tests is also described in detail.Copyright © 2004 by ASME