Effect of the nonlinear electrostatic actuation force on thermoelastic damping/quality factor in mems

Sudipto K. De, N. R. Aluru

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

MEMS (microelectromechanical systems) with very high quality factors are essential for several applications like ultra-fast and high precision actuators and sensors. Thermoelastic damping is a fundamental dissipation mechanism that always imposes an upper limit on the quality factor of these devices and needs to be understood properly for the accurate prediction of the quality factor. The general theory of thermoelastic damping developed by Zener [1] and later modified by Lifshitz and Roukes [2] has been used extensively for studying thermoelastic damping in MEMS. The general theory is applicable for MEMS beams undergoing simple harmonic oscillations in the flexural mode. However, under electrostatic actuation, which is the most popular mode of actuation in MEMS, the nature of the thermoelastic damping in MEMS can be significantly different from that predicted by the general theory of thermoelastic damping. This is due to the nonlinear coupling between the electrostatic force and the displacement of the microstructure giving rise to complex oscillations. The general theory of thermoelastic damping is modified in this paper for predicting thermoelastic damping in MEMS under arbitrary electrostatic actuation forces.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publication2006 Solid-State Sensors, Actuators, and Microsystems Workshop, Hilton Head 2006
EditorsThomas W. Kenny, Leland Spangler
PublisherTransducer Research Foundation
Pages356-359
Number of pages4
ISBN (Electronic)0964002469, 9780964002463
StatePublished - 2006
Externally publishedYes
Event13th Solid-State Sensors, Actuators, and Microsystems Workshop, Hilton Head 2006 - Hilton Head Island, United States
Duration: Jun 4 2006Jun 8 2006

Publication series

NameTechnical Digest - Solid-State Sensors, Actuators, and Microsystems Workshop

Conference

Conference13th Solid-State Sensors, Actuators, and Microsystems Workshop, Hilton Head 2006
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityHilton Head Island
Period6/4/066/8/06

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Control and Systems Engineering
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering
  • Hardware and Architecture

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