Novel 2×2 torsion-mirror optical switch arrays are fabricated by using the mixed micromachining based on the surface and bulk silicon microelectronics,then are investigated electromechanically in applied direct and alternating electric fields.When the thickness of the elastic torsion beams suspending the aluminum coated polysilicon micro-mirrors of the switches in the arrays is about 1μm,the electrostatic yielding voltages for driving the mirrors to achieve their ON-state are in the range of 270～290V,and the minimum holding voltages for mirrors ON-state are found as 55V or so.Theoretical analysis manifests that the yielding voltage is more sensitive to beam thickness than other design parameters do about the torsion-mirror switch structures.The lifetime can reach 10 8 times.The estimated shortest switching time of the switches at least lasts for less than 2ms.The force analysis on the two kinds of new fiber self-holding structures integrated monolithically in the chip of the optical switch arrays indicates that the structures can feature self-fixing and self-aligning of optical fibers.
