Electroplated rf MEMS capacitive switches

Abstract

RF microswitches are newly designed and fabricated with various structural geometry of transmission line, hinge, and movable plate formed by using electroplating techniques, low temperature processes, and dry releasing techniques. In particular, Strontium Titanate Oxide (SrTiO/sub 3/) with high dielectric constant is investigated for high switching on/off ratio and on capacitance as a dielectric layer of a micromechanical capacitive switch. Achieved lowest actuation voltage of the fabricated switches is 8 volts. The fabricated switch has low insertion loss of 0.08 dB at 10 GHz, isolation of 42 dB at 5 GHz, on/off ratio of 600, and on capacitance of 50 pF, respectively. These switches also have high current carry capability due to the use of electroplated Au or Cux.