Micromirror Device

Abstract

To provide a compact micromirror device capable of two-dimensional scanning.SOLUTION: A micromirror device comprises an actuator provided surrounding a mirror part. The actuator comprises a piezoelectric element. An upper electrode of the piezoelectric element includes a plurality of piezoelectric parts which include a plurality of individual electrode parts separated by a first stress inversion region where positive and negative main stress components of a maximum absolute value of the main stress components occurring in an in-plane direction of a piezoelectric film invert and a second stress inversion region where positive and negative main stress components of the maximum absolute value of the main stress occurring in the in-plane direction of the piezoelectric film when driven in a second resonance mode causing the mirror part inclination displacement around a second axis in a maximum displacement state when driven in a first resonance mode that causes the mirror part inclination displacement around a first axis, and are respectively regulated by the plurality of individual electrode parts.SELECTED DRAWING: None

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to micromirror devices. [Background technology]

[0002] Micromirror devices (also called microscanners) are known as one of the Micro Electro Mechanical Systems (MEMS) devices fabricated using silicon (Si) microfabrication technology. Because these micromirror devices are small and consume low power, they are expected to be used in laser-based head-up displays, retinal displays, and other applications.

[0003] As an optical scanning method for image display, the Lissajous scan method, which performs sinusoidal drive on both the horizontal and vertical axes and covers the screen by drawing a Lissajous waveform, has attracted attention as a method in contrast to the raster scan method that has been common up until now. Although the Lissajous scan method requires a complex laser driver algorithm, it is possible to miniaturize the mirror and achieve a wide angle of view while suppressing drive power consumption.

[0004] There are various driving methods for micromirrors, but the piezoelectric driving method, which uses the deformation of a piezoelectric material, is considered promising because it generates a higher torque than other methods and can achieve a wide scan angle.

[0005] Japanese Patent No. 6092713 and International Publication No. WO 2016 / 052547 disclose a piezoelectric mirror device in which a mirror section is connected to a pair of semi-annular piezoelectric actuators via torsion bars, and the mirror section can be rotationally vibrated around the torsion bars. Japanese Patent No. 6092713 and International Publication No. WO 2016 / 052547 disclose a method for efficiently driving a mirror by dividing and arranging a piezoelectric film in accordance with the stress distribution generated in the semi-annular piezoelectric actuator when vibrating the mirror section, and by providing a drive signal of an appropriate polarity to each of the divided and arranged piezoelectric films.

[0006] However, the mirror devices disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 6092713 and WO 2016 / 052547 can only scan in one axial direction, and therefore cannot display an image with one chip.

[0007] On the other hand, Japanese Patent No. 5151065, Japanese Patent No. 4984117, and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2018-41085 propose a piezoelectric drive type optical scanner capable of two-dimensional scanning as a micromirror device.

[0008] Japanese Patent No. 5151065 discloses an optical scanner in which a mirror section is connected to a movable frame via a first connection section along a first axis, and the movable frame is connected to a fixed frame surrounding the movable frame via a piezoelectric actuator. The movable frame and the piezoelectric actuator are connected by a second connection section along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis, and the piezoelectric actuator is further connected to the fixed frame by a third connection section along the first axis. A pair of movable sections is connected to each of two third connection sections arranged on the axis with the mirror section in between, and a total of four movable sections vibrate the mirror section together with the movable frame around two axes, thereby realizing a two-dimensional optical scanning operation.

[0009] Japanese Patent No. 4984117 discloses an optical scanner including a mirror section, a first actuator section arranged to surround the mirror section and connected to the mirror section via a first torsion bar extending along a first axis, an internal movable frame arranged outside the first actuator section and connected to the first actuator on the axis of the first torsion bar, and a second actuator section arranged to surround the internal movable frame and connected to the internal movable frame via a second torsion bar. The first actuator applies torque to the mirror section about the first axis, and the second actuator section applies torque to the mirror section about the second axis, thereby realizing a two-dimensional optical scanning operation.

[0010] In JP2018-41085A, the mirror section is connected to a first frame device (movable frame) surrounding the mirror section via a first torsion bar, and the first frame device is connected to an actuator structure surrounding the first frame device by a second torsion bar. A configuration is further disclosed in which the actuator structure is connected to a second frame device surrounding the actuator structure by a third torsion bar. The actuator structure is provided with four movable parts symmetrical with respect to a first axis and a second axis, and the four movable parts rotate the mirror section about the two axes to realize a two-dimensional scanning operation of light. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0011] According to Japanese Patent No. 5151065, Japanese Patent No. 4984117, and Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-41085, two-dimensional scanning is possible with one chip. However, the optical scanners of Japanese Patent No. 5151065, Japanese Patent No. 4984117, and Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-41085 all rotate independently around two axes, so at least two rectangular or annular actuators (or movable frames) are arranged to surround the mirror via two torsion bars that are responsible for rotation around each axis. This results in a large overall chip size.

[0012] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and has an object to provide a small-sized micromirror device capable of two-dimensional scanning. [Means for solving the problem]

[0013] Specific means for solving the above problems include the following aspects. <1> a mirror portion having a reflective surface that reflects light; an annular actuator disposed around the mirror portion; a first connection portion that connects the mirror portion and the actuator so that the mirror portion is rotatable around a first axis; A fixing portion provided on the outer periphery of the actuator; a second connection portion that connects the actuator and the fixed portion such that the actuator is rotatable around a second axis that intersects with the first axis; a micromirror device in which an actuator applies a rotational torque about a first axis to a mirror portion and applies a rotational torque about a second axis to the mirror portion, thereby rotationally driving the mirror portion about the first axis and the second axis; the actuator is a piezoelectric actuator having a piezoelectric element in which a lower electrode, a piezoelectric film, and an upper electrode are laminated on a vibration plate, A micromirror device comprising a plurality of individual electrode portions separated by a first stress reversal region in which the positive and negative signs of the principal stress component with the largest absolute value among the principal stresses generated in the in-plane direction of the piezoelectric film are reversed when the upper electrode is driven in a first resonance mode in which the mirror portion is caused to vibrate with a tilt around a first axis in a maximum displacement state, and a second stress reversal region in which the positive and negative signs of the principal stress component with the largest absolute value among the principal stresses generated in the in-plane direction of the piezoelectric film are reversed when the upper electrode is driven in a second resonance mode in which the mirror portion is caused to vibrate with a tilt around a second axis, and the piezoelectric element includes a plurality of piezoelectric portions defined by each of the plurality of individual electrode portions. <2> The first connection portion connects the mirror portion and the actuator on the first axis. <1> The micromirror device according to claim 1 . <3> The second connection portion connects the actuator and the fixed portion on the second axis. <1> or <2> The micromirror device according to claim 1 . <4> The upper electrode includes at least eight individual electrode portions as the plurality of individual electrode portions, and the plurality of individual electrode portions are arranged symmetrically with respect to the first axis and the second axis. <1> from <3> 2. The micromirror device according to claim 1 , <5> A drive circuit is provided for inputting a drive signal to each of the piezoelectric portions of the actuator. <1> from <4> 2. The micromirror device according to claim 1 , <6> The drive circuit drives the mirror section in a first resonance mode in which the mirror section tilts and vibrates around a first axis, and inputs drive signals to the plurality of piezoelectric sections to drive the mirror section in a second resonance mode in which the mirror section tilts and vibrates around a second axis. <5> The micromirror device according to claim 1 . <7> The drive circuit inputs, as a drive signal, a first drive signal in which a drive voltage waveform to be applied to a piezoelectric part located in a region where the principal stress component with the largest absolute value is positive at the moment when the vibration amplitude is maximized when driven in the first resonance mode and a drive voltage waveform to be applied to a piezoelectric part located in a region where the principal stress component with the largest absolute value is negative are in an opposite phase relationship to each other, and a second drive signal in which a drive voltage waveform to be applied to a piezoelectric part located in a region where the principal stress component with the largest absolute value is positive at the moment when the vibration amplitude is maximized at the second resonance mode and a drive voltage waveform to be applied to a piezoelectric part located in a region where the principal stress component with the largest absolute value is negative are in an opposite phase relationship to each other. <6> The micromirror device according to claim 1 . Effect of the Invention

[0014] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a small-sized micromirror device capable of two-dimensional scanning. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a plan view of a micromirror device according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a cross-sectional structure of a portion of a micromirror device. [Diagram 3] 1 is a perspective view of a structure of a micromirror device according to an embodiment, seen from the top surface side. [Figure 4] 2 is a perspective view of the structure of the micromirror device according to the embodiment, seen from the bottom side. FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a plan view of a structure of the micromirror device according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the structure of the micromirror device according to the embodiment. [Figure 7]FIG. 2 is a left side view of the structure of the micromirror device according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a front view of a structure of the micromirror device according to the embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of a connection between the micromirror device and a driving circuit according to the embodiment. [Figure 10] 11 is a simulation diagram of a shape displacement in a first resonance mode accompanied by tilt vibration of a mirror portion about a first axis in the micromirror device according to the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 11] 11 is a diagram showing an in-plane stress distribution generated in the actuator due to the shape displacement in the first resonance mode shown in FIG. [Figure 12] 11 is a simulation diagram of a shape displacement in the micromirror device of the first embodiment in a second resonance mode accompanied by tilt vibration of the mirror portion about a second axis. FIG. [Figure 13] 13 is a diagram showing an in-plane stress distribution generated in the actuator due to the shape displacement in the second resonance mode shown in FIG. 12. FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining voltage application during driving around a first axis. [Figure 15] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an applied drive signal (voltage waveform) during driving around a first axis. [Figure 16] 13 is a diagram for explaining voltage application during driving around a second axis. FIG. [Figure 17] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an applied drive signal (voltage waveform) during driving around a second axis. [Figure 18] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a micromirror device according to a reference example. [Figure 19] 11 is a simulation diagram of a shape displacement in the micromirror device of the reference example in a first resonance mode accompanied by tilt vibration of the mirror portion about a first axis. FIG. [Figure 20] 13A to 13C are diagrams for explaining a driving method when driving the micromirror device of the reference example around a first axis. [Figure 21]FIG. 11 is a simulation diagram of the shape displacement in the micromirror device of the reference example in the second resonance mode accompanied by tilt vibration of the mirror portion about the second axis. [Figure 22] 13A to 13C are diagrams for explaining a driving method when driving the micromirror device of the reference example around a second axis. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0017] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a micromirror device according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a cross-sectional structure of a portion of the micromirror device. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a structure for a micromirror device from the top side, showing a state in which a wiring structure is not provided. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a structure for a micromirror device according to an embodiment from the bottom side. FIG. 5 is a plan view of a structure for a micromirror device according to an embodiment, and FIG. 6 is a bottom view of a structure for a micromirror device according to an embodiment. FIG. 7 is a left side view of a structure for a micromirror device. Note that the right side view of the structure for the micromirror device is the same as the left side view. FIG. 8 is a front view of a structure for a micromirror device according to an embodiment. Note that the back view of the structure for the micromirror device is the same as the front view.

[0018] The micromirror device 1 of this embodiment comprises a mirror portion 12, a ring-shaped actuator 14 arranged to surround the mirror portion 12, a first connection portion 21 connecting the mirror portion 12 and the actuator 14, a fixed portion 20 arranged on the outer periphery of the actuator 14, and a second connection portion 22 connecting the actuator 14 and the fixed portion 20.

[0019] The size of the micromirror device 1 is generally about 1 mm to 10 mm in length and width, but may be smaller or larger than these and is not particularly limited. The thickness of the actuator is generally about 5 μm to 0.2 mm, but is not particularly limited as long as it can be manufactured.

[0020] The mirror section 12 has a reflective surface 12a that reflects incident light. The reflective surface 12a is formed of a thin metal film, such as Au (gold) or Al (aluminum), provided on one surface of the mirror section 12. The material and film thickness used for the mirror coating to form the reflective surface 12a are not particularly limited, and various designs are possible using known mirror materials (high reflectivity materials).

[0021] 1 illustrates a mirror section 12 having a substantially circular reflecting surface 12a and a shape similar to the reflecting surface 12a in plan view, but the shape of the mirror section 12 in plan view and the shape of the reflecting surface 12a may be the same or different. The shapes of the mirror section 12 and the reflecting surface 12a are not particularly limited. They may have various shapes such as an ellipse, a square, a rectangle, and a polygon, and are not limited to the illustrated circle.

[0022] The first connection part 21 connects the mirror part 12 and the actuator 14, and supports the mirror part 12 rotatably around the first axis a1. The first connection part 21 is a pair of rod-shaped members that are symmetrically arranged with respect to the mirror part 12 and extend outward from the outer periphery of the mirror part 12 along the first axis a1, and connects the mirror part 12 and the actuator 14 on the first axis a1. One end of each of the pair of rod-shaped members that constitute the first connection part 21 is connected to the outer periphery of the mirror part 12, and the other end of each is connected to the actuator 14.

[0023] The second connecting portion 22 supports the actuator 14 and the fixed portion 20 so that the actuator 14 can rotate around the second axis a2. The second connecting portion 22 is a pair of rod-shaped members that are symmetrically disposed with respect to the actuator 14 and extend outward from the outer periphery of the actuator 14 along the second axis a2, and connects the actuator 14 to the fixed portion 20 on the second axis a2. One end of each of the pair of rod-shaped members that constitute the second connecting portion 22 is connected to the outer periphery of the actuator 14, and the other end of each is connected to the fixed portion 20.

[0024] With the above configuration, the first axis a1 and the second axis a2 intersect substantially at the center of the mirror portion 12 in this embodiment.

[0025] Here, the first axis a1 is in a plane including the reflecting surface 12a of the mirror section 12 when stationary. The second axis a2 is an axis that intersects with the first axis a1 in this plane, and is an axis that is perpendicular to the first axis a1 in this case. It is preferable that the first axis a1 and the second axis a2 intersect at the center of the reflecting surface 12a, but the intersecting position may be shifted from the center.

[0026] In each figure, the normal direction to the reflecting surface 12a when the mirror section 12 is stationary is the z-axis direction, the direction parallel to the first axis a1 is the y-axis direction, and the direction parallel to the second axis a2 is the x-axis direction.

[0027] The fixed portion 20 supports the actuator 14 via the second connection portion 22. The actuator 14 supports the mirror portion 12 via the first connection portion 21. The fixed portion 20 is provided with wiring 22, electrode terminals 24, and the like, and may further be provided with an electronic circuit (not shown).

[0028] In this example, the fixing portion 20 is a frame member (fixing frame) that surrounds the actuator 14. As long as the fixing portion 20 is configured to be able to support the actuator 14 via the second connecting portions 22, it is not limited to a frame member and may be composed of two members, a first fixing portion that connects to one of the second connecting portions 22 and a second fixing portion that connects to the other of the second connecting portions 22.

[0029] The actuator 14 is an annular member surrounding the mirror section 12. The actuator 14 applies a rotational torque around the first axis a1 to the mirror section 12 and also applies a rotational torque around the second axis a2 to the mirror section 12, thereby two-dimensionally rotating the mirror section 12 around the first axis a1 and the second axis a2. The micromirror device 1 can perform two-dimensional scanning (two-dimensional scanning) by reflecting incident light onto the reflecting surface 12a of the mirror section 12 by two-dimensionally rotating the mirror section 12. Here, the annular shape may be any shape that surrounds the inner region without interruption, and the shapes of the inner and outer circumferences do not have to be circular, and may be any shape such as a rectangular or polygonal shape. In this example, the inner and outer circumferences of the actuator are octagonal.

[0030] Although the details of the two-dimensional rotation drive will be described later, in the micromirror device of the present disclosure, it is possible to rotate the mirror section 12 in two dimensions by a single annular actuator 14 that surrounds the mirror section 12. The entire device can be made smaller than a conventional structure equipped with two or more actuators (or movable frames).

[0031] In the micromirror device 1 of this embodiment, the mirror portion 12, the actuator 14, the fixed portion 20, the first connecting portion 21, and the second connecting portion 22 are arranged in a line-symmetrical structure with respect to the first axis a1 and the second axis a2. This symmetrical structure allows efficient application of rotational torque to the central mirror portion 12.

[0032] The micromirror device 1 can be fabricated, for example, by processing a silicon substrate using semiconductor manufacturing technology, into a structure in which elements such as a mirror portion 12, an actuator 14, a fixed portion 20, a first connecting portion 21, and a second connecting portion 22 are integrally configured.

[0033] The fixed portion 20 is thicker than the mirror portion 12, the actuator 14, the first connecting portion 21, and the second connecting portion 22 (see FIG. 3 and FIG. 4). That is, the thicknesses of the mirror portion 12, the actuator 14, the first connecting portion 21, and the second connecting portion are formed to be thinner than the thickness (thickness in the z direction) of the fixed portion 20. This makes it easy for the actuator 14, the connecting portion 21, and the connecting portion 22 to deform (for example, bend or twist). The substrate parts of the mirror portion 12, the actuator 14, and the fixed portion 20, excluding the reflecting surface, the piezoelectric film, the electrodes, the wiring, and the like, are called the structure for the micromirror device. The part of this structure excluding the fixed portion 20 is the main body part of the structure. The basic performance of the micromirror device depends on the shape of this main body part, and does not depend on the shape of the fixed portion 20.

[0034] The actuator 14 is a piezoelectric actuator equipped with a piezoelectric element 40. The piezoelectric element 40 has a layered structure in which a lower electrode 31, a piezoelectric film 32, and an upper electrode 33 are layered in this order on a vibration plate 30 (see FIG. 2). Note that in FIG. 2, for ease of visualization, the film thickness ratio is shown differently from the actual film thickness ratio. The "upper" and "lower" of the upper electrode and lower electrode do not mean top and bottom, but simply refer to the electrode on the vibration plate side of the pair of electrodes sandwiching the piezoelectric film as the lower electrode, and the electrode arranged opposite the lower electrode across the piezoelectric film as the upper electrode.

[0035] The piezoelectric element 40 includes a first stress reversal region where the positive and negative of the principal stress component with the largest absolute value among the principal stresses generated in the in-plane direction of the piezoelectric film 32 reverses when the upper electrode 33 of the piezoelectric element 40 is driven in a first resonance mode that generates a tilt vibration around the first axis a1 in the mirror section 12 at the maximum displacement state, and a second stress reversal region where the positive and negative of the principal stress component with the largest absolute value among the principal stresses generated in the in-plane direction of the piezoelectric film 32 reverses when the upper electrode 33 of the piezoelectric element 40 is driven in a second resonance mode that generates a tilt vibration around the second axis a2 in the mirror section 12. The piezoelectric element 40 includes a plurality of piezoelectric sections 41-48 defined by each of the plurality of individual electrode sections i1-i8. The separation region S of the individual electrode section in FIG. 1 corresponds to the first stress reversal region and / or the first stress reversal region, and is hereinafter referred to as the stress reversal region S. The principal stresses and the stress reversal regions will be described later.

[0036] When a predetermined voltage is applied to the piezoelectric portions 41-48, the piezoelectric film is deformed, causing the actuator 14 to bend and displace, generating a driving force, and a rotational torque is generated in the first connection portion 21 as well as in the second connection portion 22. In the present micromirror device 1, the upper electrode 33 is provided with individual electrode portions according to the stress distribution in the first resonance mode and the stress distribution in the second resonance mode, thereby realizing two-dimensional driving using one annular actuator 14.

[0037] The detailed arrangement of the individual electrode portions will be described. The upper electrode 33 of the actuator 14 is composed of eight individual electrode portions i1 to i8. Each of the individual electrode portions i1 to i8 is formed separately from the others. By forming the upper electrode 33 separately into a plurality of individual electrode portions i1 to i8, each of the piezoelectric portions 41 to 48 defined by each of the individual electrode portions i1 to i8 can be independently voltage-controlled. Each of the piezoelectric portions 41 to 48 is composed of the individual electrode portions i1 to i8, the opposing lower electrode 31, and the piezoelectric film 32 sandwiched between the individual electrode portions i1 to i8 and the lower electrode 31. Each of the individual electrode portions i1 to i8 and the lower electrode 31 are connected to a drive circuit via wiring 22 and an electrode terminal 24 (individual reference characters 1 to 8 and GND).

[0038] FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an electrical wiring structure between each of the piezoelectric portions 41 to 48 of the piezoelectric element 40 of the micromirror device 1 in this embodiment and the drive circuit 50. As shown in FIG. The piezoelectric element 40 includes a lower electrode 31, a piezoelectric film 32, and an upper electrode 33. The individual electrode portions i1 to i8 of the piezoelectric portions 41 to 48 of the piezoelectric element 40 are connected to electrode terminals 1 to 8, respectively, and the lower electrode 31 is a common film for all the individual electrode portions and is connected to a ground electrode terminal GND.

[0039] In this embodiment, the piezoelectric film 32 and the lower electrode 31 are formed as a film common to multiple piezoelectric portions, but the piezoelectric film 32, or the piezoelectric film 32 and the lower electrode 31, may also be separated for each individual electrode portion of the upper electrode 33.

[0040] The micromirror device of the present disclosure can be driven two-dimensionally with only one annular actuator, and has a structure without a movable frame or a second actuator, so that the element volume can be kept small.

[0041] 10 is a simulation diagram showing the state in which the mirror section 12 tilts and vibrates around the first axis a1 in the first resonance mode, and shows a state in which the mirror section 12 tilts and displaces with one end x1 in the x-axis direction in the +z direction and the other end x2 in the x-axis direction in the -z direction around the first axis a1. In FIG. 10, the shade of color indicates the amount of displacement.

[0042] When the mirror section 12 is inclined and vibrated around the first axis a1 in the first resonance mode and is in a state of rotational displacement as shown in FIG. 10, the actuator 14 is deformed by bending. As shown in FIG. 11, the piezoelectric film of the actuator 14 has a tensile stress region t1 where a tensile stress (hereinafter referred to as tensile stress) σt is applied, and a compressive stress region c1 where a compressive stress (hereinafter referred to as compressive stress) σc is applied. In FIG. 11, the part where the tensile stress is applied is shown in light gray, and the part where the compressive stress is applied is shown in black. Note that the higher the color density of the region, the greater the stress. Note that the stress generated at each position of the piezoelectric film changes with time according to the vibration. FIG. 11 shows the state of the in-plane stress generated in the piezoelectric film at the moment when the vibration amplitude becomes maximum when driven in the first resonance mode.

[0043] Whether each part is "compressive stress" or "tensile stress" is determined by selecting two principal stresses in a plane that is approximately perpendicular to the film thickness direction of the piezoelectric film from the three mutually perpendicular principal stress vectors, and determining the direction of the one with the larger absolute value (the direction of the principal stress component with the largest absolute value). When the film thickness direction is taken as the z-axis, the two principal stresses in the plane that is approximately perpendicular to the film thickness direction are the stresses that occur in the xy plane. To express the stress direction, the vector pointing outward is defined as the tensile direction, and the vector pointing inward is defined as the compressive direction.

[0044] The reason for this definition is that the dimensions of the actuator part in a piezoelectric MEMS device are generally planar, and the stress in the film thickness direction can be considered to be almost zero. "Planar dimensions" means that the height is sufficiently small compared to the dimensions in the planar direction. The surface direction of the above-mentioned "xy plane" corresponds to the "in-plane direction perpendicular to the film thickness direction of the piezoelectric film". Stress is defined as positive tensile stress σt, in which a force is applied in the direction in which the member is pulled, and negative compressive stress σc, in which a force is applied in the direction in which the member is compressed. In other words, the region in which the principal stress component with the largest absolute value is positive means a region in which tensile stress is the main stress, and the region in which the principal stress component with the largest absolute value is negative means a region in which compressive stress is the main stress. In addition, the "stress reversal region in which the positive and negative of the principal stress component with the largest absolute value is reversed" means a region that includes the boundary between the tensile stress region and the compressive stress region, and where the tensile stress changes to compressive stress or compressive stress changes to tensile stress.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 11, at a portion of the actuator 14 intersecting with the first axis a1, adjacent regions sandwiching the first axis a1 exhibit stresses of opposite positive and negative signs. In the figure, one of the adjacent regions sandwiching the first axis a1 is a tensile stress region t1, and the other is a compressive stress region c1. At a portion of the actuator 14 intersecting with the second axis a2, adjacent regions sandwiching the second axis a2 exhibit stresses of the same sign, but regions symmetrical with respect to the first axis a1 exhibit stresses of opposite positive and negative signs. In the first resonance mode, the stress distribution in the actuator 14 is linearly symmetrical with respect to the second axis a2.

[0046] At the boundary between the compressive stress region c1 and the tensile stress region t1, there exists a first stress reversal region where the direction of the stress gradually changes, that is, where the sign of the principal stress component with the largest absolute value is reversed. Each of the six first stress reversal lines r1 shown in FIG. 11 is located at the center of the first stress reversal region.

[0047] Fig. 12 is a simulation diagram showing how the mirror section 12 and the actuator 14 tilt and vibrate around the second axis a2 in the second resonance mode, and shows a state in which the mirror section 12 and the actuator 14 are tilted and displaced with one end y1 of the actuator 14 in the y-axis direction tilting in the +z direction and the other end y2 in the y-axis direction tilting in the -z direction, with the second axis a2 as the center. As in Fig. 10, in Fig. 12, the shade of color indicates the amount of displacement.

[0048] When the mirror section 12 and the actuator 14 are inclined and vibrated around the second axis a2 in the second resonance mode and are in the rotationally displaced state shown in FIG. 12, the actuator 14 is deformed by bending. As shown in FIG. 13, the piezoelectric film of the actuator 14 has a tensile stress region t2 where tensile stress is applied and a compressive stress region c2 where compressive stress is applied. In FIG. 13, as in FIG. 11, the parts where tensile stress is applied are shown in light gray and the parts where compressive stress is applied are shown in black. Note that the higher the color density of the region, the greater the stress. Note that the stress generated at each position of the piezoelectric film changes with time according to the vibration. FIG. 13 shows the state of the in-plane stress generated in the piezoelectric film at the moment when the vibration amplitude becomes maximum when driven in the second resonance mode.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 13, at a portion of the actuator 14 intersecting with the second axis a2, adjacent regions sandwiching the second axis a2 exhibit stresses of opposite positive and negative signs. In the figure, one of the adjacent regions sandwiching the second axis a2 is a tensile stress region t2, and the other region is a compressive stress region c2. At a portion of the actuator 14 intersecting with the first axis a1, adjacent regions sandwiching the first axis a1 exhibit stresses of the same sign, but regions symmetrical with respect to the second axis a2 exhibit stresses of opposite positive and negative signs. That is, in the second resonance mode, the stress distribution in the actuator 14 is linearly symmetrical with respect to the first axis a1.

[0050] At the boundary between the compressive stress region c2 and the tensile stress region t2, there exists a second stress reversal region where the direction of the stress gradually changes, that is, where the sign of the principal stress component with the largest absolute value is reversed. Each of the six second stress reversal lines r2 shown in FIG. 13 is located at the center of the second stress reversal region.

[0051] The individual electrode portions i1 to i8 of the upper electrode 33 are formed to correspond to the division of the piezoelectric film into regions t1, t2, c1, and c2 having different stress directions with respect to the stress distribution shown in Figures 11 and 13. The individual electrode portions are separated by stress reversal regions S including the first stress reversal line r1 or the second stress reversal line r2 (see Figure 1). In this configuration, of the six first stress reversal lines r1, four of them except for the two on the first axis a1 coincide with the second stress reversal line r2, and as a result, the upper electrode is separated by eight stress reversal regions S.

[0052] By providing the separated individual electrode portions i1-i8 in this manner, a drive signal about the first axis a1 and a drive signal about the second axis a2 can be input independently to each of the individual electrode portions i1-i8, that is, to the piezoelectric portions 41-48. By inputting a drive signal according to the stress in the first resonance mode and the second resonance mode in each region, each region can be displaced efficiently, and torque can be generated about the first axis and the second axis.

[0053] The stress distribution during operation due to resonant mode vibration (during resonant drive) can be analyzed using modal analysis with known finite element method software, given parameters such as device dimensions, Young's modulus of material, and device shape. When designing the device, the stress distribution in the piezoelectric film during drive in resonant mode is analyzed, and based on the analysis results, the upper electrode is divided into individual electrode parts corresponding to the division into compressive stress regions and tensile stress regions in the stress distribution. Each individual electrode part defines each piezoelectric part.

[0054] A driving power for driving each of the piezoelectric parts 41 to 48 in the first resonance mode and the second resonance mode is supplied from a driving circuit. An AC signal or a pulse waveform signal having a frequency that excites resonance can be used as a driving signal supplied to the actuator 14. Specific driving signals will be described below together with a driving method.

[0055] The drive circuit inputs, to each of the piezoelectric portions of the piezoelectric element, a drive signal in which a first drive signal for driving the first resonance mode and a second drive signal for driving the second resonance mode are superimposed.

[0056] The first drive signal includes drive voltage waveforms of opposite phases, and the drive voltage waveform of one phase is applied to a piezoelectric section located in a region where the principal stress component with the largest absolute value is positive at the moment when the vibration amplitude is maximum when driven in the first resonant mode, and the drive voltage waveform of the other phase is applied to a piezoelectric section located in a region where the principal stress component with the largest absolute value is negative at the above moment.

[0057] The second drive signal includes drive voltage waveforms of opposite phases, and the drive voltage waveform of one phase is applied to a piezoelectric section located in a region where the principal stress component with the largest absolute value is positive at the moment when the vibration amplitude is maximum when driven in the second resonant mode, and the drive voltage waveform of the other phase is applied to a piezoelectric section located in a region where the principal stress component with the largest absolute value is negative.

[0058] Therefore, the drive circuit 50 applies, as the first drive signal, a drive signal waveform of the same phase to the piezoelectric parts located in the region where the direction of the principal stress component with the maximum absolute value is the same (same sign) at the moment when the drive amplitude is maximum when driven in the first resonance mode. That is, a drive signal waveform of the same phase is applied to the piezoelectric parts located in the compressive stress region, and a drive signal waveform of the same phase is applied to the piezoelectric parts located in the tensile stress region. Then, the drive circuit applies, as the first drive signal, a drive signal waveform of the opposite phase between the piezoelectric parts located in the region where the direction of the principal stress component with the maximum absolute value is different (different sign) at the moment when the drive amplitude is maximum when driven in the first resonance mode. That is, a drive signal waveform of the opposite phase is applied between the compressive stress region and the tensile stress region. Note that the amplitude of the drive signal waveform of the same phase may be the same between the piezoelectric parts, or may be different between the piezoelectric parts.

[0059] At the same time, the drive circuit 50 applies, as the second drive signal, a drive signal waveform of the same phase to the piezoelectric parts located in the same region where the direction of the principal stress component with the maximum absolute value is the same at the moment when the drive amplitude is maximum when driven in the second resonance mode. That is, a drive signal waveform of the same phase is applied to the piezoelectric parts located in the compressive stress region, and a drive signal waveform of the same phase is applied to the piezoelectric parts located in the tensile stress region. Then, the drive circuit applies, as the second drive signal, a drive signal waveform of the opposite phase between the pressure parts located in the different regions where the direction of the principal stress component with the maximum absolute value is different at the moment when the drive amplitude is maximum when driven in the second resonance mode. That is, a drive signal waveform of the opposite phase is applied between the compressive stress region and the tensile stress region. Note that the amplitude of the drive signal of the same phase may be the same between the piezoelectric parts, or may be different between the piezoelectric parts.

[0060] By applying a drive signal in which a first drive signal for the first resonance mode and a second drive signal for the second resonance mode are superimposed to each piezoelectric part, the first resonance mode and the second resonance mode can be excited simultaneously. When the drive signal is applied to each piezoelectric part 41-48 and the actuator 14 is driven, a positive voltage is applied to the piezoelectric part located in the region where the principal stress component with the largest absolute value among the principal stresses generated in each piezoelectric film at the moment of each vibration is positive, and a negative voltage is applied to the piezoelectric part located in the region where the principal stress component with the largest absolute value is negative. By applying positive and negative voltages according to the positive and negative strains, the piezoelectric force can be converted into a displacement very efficiently. Therefore, the mirror part 12 can be driven two-dimensionally by only one annular actuator 14.

[0061] An example of the driving method will be specifically described with reference to Fig. 14 to Fig. 17. Fig. 14 is a diagram showing piezoelectric part groups to which drive signals of the same phase are input when exciting the first resonance mode, and Fig. 15 shows an example of the drive signals input to each piezoelectric part group. Fig. 16 is a diagram showing piezoelectric part groups to which drive signals of the same phase are input when exciting the second resonance mode, and Fig. 17 shows the drive signals input to each piezoelectric part group.

[0062] 14, the individual electrode parts of the piezoelectric parts of the first group to which a drive signal of the same phase is input when exciting the first resonance mode are indicated by diagonal lines that slope downward to the right, and the individual electrode parts of the piezoelectric parts of the second group to which a drive signal of the opposite phase to that of the first group is input are indicated by diagonal lines that slope upward to the right.

[0063] The individual electrode portions i1, i4, i6, and i7 of the first group correspond to the tensile stress region t1 of FIG. 11, and a first drive signal V1a for the first resonance mode in the same phase as shown in FIG. 15 is input to them. The individual electrode portions i2, i3, i5, and i8 of the second group correspond to the compressive stress region c1 of FIG. 11, and a first drive signal V1b for the first resonance mode in the same phase as them is input to them. As shown in FIG. 15, the drive signal V1a applied to the piezoelectric portions of the first group and the drive signal V1b applied to the piezoelectric portions of the second group have the same first frequency f1 and are signals in opposite phases (phase difference 180°). By applying such drive signals, a distortion that tilts the actuator 14 around the first axis a1 occurs, and a rotational torque around the first axis a1 is applied to the mirror portion 12.

[0064] The first drive signals V1a and V1b are expressed as follows. V1a=α1V1sin(2πf1t+π) V1b=α1V1sin2πf1t In the above formula, α1V1 is the voltage amplitude and t is time. Note that the offset voltage is not taken into account in the formula. V1 is the basic voltage amplitude value of the first drive signal, and α1 is the voltage amplitude correction coefficient for the first drive signal. Note that the voltage amplitude applied to each individual electrode portion may be the same or different. In other words, the value of α1 may be different for each piezoelectric portion. The voltage amplitude may be set according to the magnitude of stress generated in each individual electrode portion. For example, the voltage amplitude may be increased as the magnitude of stress generated in the individual electrode portion increases.

[0065] The first drive signals V1a and V1b can be collectively generalized as follows: It can be expressed as V1 = α1V1sin(2πf1t + β1π). Here, β1 is a phase correction coefficient for the first drive signal, which is 1 for the first phase V1a and 0 for the second phase V1b which is the opposite phase to the first phase.

[0066] 16, the individual electrode parts of the piezoelectric parts of the third group to which a drive signal of the same phase is input when exciting the second resonance mode are indicated by diagonal lines that slope downward to the right, and the individual electrode parts of the piezoelectric parts of the fourth group to which a drive signal of the opposite phase to that of the third group is input are indicated by diagonal lines that slope upward to the right.

[0067] The individual electrode portions i1, i3, i6, and i8 of the third group correspond to the tensile stress region t2 in FIG. 13, and the second drive signal V2a for the second resonance mode in the same phase as shown in FIG. 17 is input to them. The individual electrode portions i2, i4, i5, and i7 of the fourth group correspond to the compressive stress region c2 in FIG. 13, and the second drive signal V2b for the second resonance mode in the same phase as them is input to them. As shown in FIG. 17, the second drive signals V2a and V2b have the same second frequency f2 and are in opposite phases (phase difference 180°). By applying such a drive signal, a distortion is generated that tilts the actuator 14 around the second axis a2, and as a result, a rotational torque around the second axis a2 is applied to the mirror portion 12.

[0068] The second drive signals V2a and V2b are expressed as follows. V2a = α2V2sin(2πf2t+π) V2b=α2V2sin2πf2t In the above formula, α2V2 is the voltage amplitude and t is time. Note that the offset voltage is not taken into account in the formula. V2 is the basic voltage amplitude value of the second drive signal, and α2 is the voltage amplitude correction coefficient for the second drive signal. Note that the voltage amplitude applied to each individual electrode portion may be the same or different. In other words, the value of α2 may be different for each piezoelectric portion. The voltage amplitude may be set according to the magnitude of stress generated in each individual electrode portion. For example, the voltage amplitude may be increased as the magnitude of stress generated in the individual electrode portion increases.

[0069] The second drive signals V2a and V2b can be collectively generalized as follows: It can be expressed as V2 = α2V2sin(2πf2t + β2π). Here, β2 is a phase correction coefficient for the second drive signal, which is 1 for V2a of the first phase and 0 for V2b of the second phase which is the opposite phase to the first phase.

[0070] A drive signal in which a first drive signal for a first resonance mode and a second drive signal for a second resonance mode are superimposed is applied to each piezoelectric part. For example, V1a+V2a is applied to individual electrode part i1, V1b+V2b is applied to individual electrode part i2, V1b+V2a is applied to individual electrode part i3, and V1a+V2b is applied to individual electrode part i4. The combinations applied to each piezoelectric part, i.e., each individual electrode part, are shown in Table 1. [Table 1]

[0071] The drive signal applied to the individual electrode portion in (where n is 1 to 8) of each piezoelectric portion can be expressed by the following general formula (1). Vin=α1V1sin(2πf1t+β1π)+α2V2sin(2πf2t+β2π) (1)

[0072] In equation (1), the first term is a first drive signal for tilting and vibrating about a first axis, and the second term is a second drive signal for tilting and vibrating about a second axis. In the example shown in Table 1 above, α1 and α2 are constant, but by making α1 and α2 different for each individual electrode and increasing the voltage amplitude as the magnitude of stress generated in the individual electrode portion increases, it is possible to further improve the driving efficiency and further reduce power consumption.

[0073] As described above, when the micromirror device is driven in the first and second resonant modes, a drive signal corresponding to the direction of the principal stress component with the maximum absolute value among the principal stresses generated in the piezoelectric film of the actuator is applied to each piezoelectric element, thereby enabling very efficient driving. The drive circuit is configured to input the drive signal to each piezoelectric element.

[0074] In this embodiment, the lower electrode of the multiple piezoelectric parts included in each piezoelectric element is a common electrode. Therefore, the lower electrode is grounded and a predetermined drive signal (drive voltage waveform) is input to the upper electrode. However, if the lower electrode is also an individual electrode, either the lower electrode or the upper electrode may be used as the ground electrode as long as a drive signal can be applied between the lower electrode and the upper electrode.

[0075] As the resonance mode, there are modes accompanied by vertical piston motion, torsional motion within a plane, etc., in addition to the one accompanied by rotation (tilt vibration) around the axis of the mirror section 12. However, in the micromirror device 1 of this embodiment, the mirror section 12 is driven using the resonance mode accompanied by tilt vibration.

[0076] As for the first resonance mode in which the mirror section 12 is tilted and vibrated around the first axis, the resonance mode in which the mirror section 12 and the actuator 14 vibrate in opposite phases has a higher Q value of the resonance vibration and a higher resonance frequency than the resonance mode in which they vibrate in the same phase, and is therefore more suitable for high-speed scanning. Regarding the first axis, it is preferable to drive in the lowest mode among the resonance modes in which the mirror section 12 and the actuator 14 are tilted and vibrated in opposite phases to each other, because this provides a high Q value. However, the modes are not limited to those mentioned above, and the order of the resonance mode to be used may be appropriately set.

[0077] As the second resonance mode in which the mirror is tilted and vibrated around the second axis, it is preferable to use a resonance mode in which the actuator 14 and the mirror portion 12 are integrally tilted and vibrated, since this has a lower resonance frequency and is suitable for low-speed operation. However, the modes are not limited to those mentioned above, and the order of the resonance mode to be used may be appropriately set.

[0078] Since the stress distribution generated in the actuator during driving differs depending on which resonance mode is used, it is necessary to determine the resonance mode to be used during driving and then arrange the individual electrode parts based on the stress distribution in that resonance mode. In this example, regarding the first axis, the first resonance mode is the lowest order mode among the resonance modes in which the mirror part 12 and the actuator 14 tilt and vibrate in opposite phases, and the second resonance mode is the lowest order resonance mode among the resonance modes accompanied by tilt vibration on the lower frequency side than the first resonance mode.

[0079] The following describes the piezoelectric element provided in the actuator 14. As described above, the piezoelectric element has a laminated structure of the lower electrode 31, the piezoelectric film 32, and the upper electrode 33.

[0080] The thickness of the lower electrode and the upper electrode is not particularly limited, and is, for example, about 200 nm. The thickness of the piezoelectric film is not particularly limited as long as it is 10 μm or less, and is usually 1 μm or more, for example, 1 to 5 μm. The method of forming the lower electrode, the upper electrode, and the piezoelectric film is not particularly limited, but is preferably a vapor phase growth method, and particularly preferably formed by a sputtering method.

[0081] The main component of the lower electrode is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include metals or metal oxides such as Au, Pt, Ir, IrO2, RuO2, LaNiO3, and SrRuO3, as well as combinations thereof.

[0082] The main component of the upper electrode is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include the materials exemplified for the lower electrode, electrode materials generally used in semiconductor processes, such as Al, Ti, Ta, Cr, and Cu, and combinations of these.

[0083] The piezoelectric film may include one containing one or more perovskite oxides (P) represented by the following formula. General formula ABO3(P) (In the formula, A is an element at the A site, and is at least one element including Pb. B is an element at the B site, and is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Ta, Sb, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Sc, Co, Cu, In, Sn, Ga, Zn, Cd, Fe, and Ni. O is an oxygen element. The molar ratio of the A-site element, the B-site element, and the oxygen element is standard at 1:1:3, but these molar ratios may deviate from the reference molar ratio within the range in which a perovskite structure can be obtained.)

[0084] Examples of the perovskite-type oxide represented by the above general formula include lead-containing compounds such as lead titanate, lead zirconate titanate (PZT), lead zirconate, lanthanum lead titanate, lanthanum lead zirconate titanate, lead magnesium zirconate titanate, lead nickel zirconate titanate, lead zinc zirconate titanate, and solid solution systems thereof; non-lead-containing compounds such as barium titanate, strontium barium titanate, sodium bismuth titanate, potassium bismuth titanate, sodium niobate, potassium niobate, lithium niobate, bismuth ferrite, and solid solution systems thereof.

[0085] Further, the piezoelectric film of the present embodiment preferably contains one or more perovskite-type oxides (PX) represented by the following formula. A a (Zr x , Ti y , M b-x-y ) b O c (PX) (In the formula, A is an element at the A site, and is at least one element including Pb. M is at least one element selected from the group consisting of V, Nb, Ta, and Sb. 0 < x < b, 0 < y < b, 0 ≤ b - x - y, and a:b:c = 1:1:3 is standard, but these molar ratios may deviate from the reference molar ratio within the range in which a perovskite structure can be obtained.)

[0086] The piezoelectric films made of the perovskite oxides represented by the above general formulas (P) and (PX) have a high piezoelectric strain constant (d 31 Since the piezoelectric film has a piezoelectric constant, a piezoelectric actuator having such a piezoelectric film has excellent displacement characteristics. Note that the perovskite oxide represented by the general formula (PX) has a higher piezoelectric constant than that represented by the general formula (P).

[0087] In addition, a piezoelectric actuator having a piezoelectric film made of a perovskite oxide represented by the general formulas (P) and (PX) has a voltage-displacement characteristic with excellent linearity in the driving voltage range. These piezoelectric materials exhibit good piezoelectric characteristics for implementing the technology of the present disclosure. EXAMPLES

[0088] Micromirror devices according to embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described.

[0089] "Example" A micromirror device having the configuration shown in FIG. 1 was fabricated as Example 1 by the following procedure.

[0090] -Manufacturing method- (Step 1) On an SOI (Silicon On Insulator) substrate having a layered structure of a 350 μm Si handle layer, a 1 μm silicon oxide (SiO2) box layer, and a 100 μm Si device layer, a 30 nm Ti layer and a 150 nm Ir layer were formed by sputtering at a substrate temperature of 350° C. The layered structure of the Ti layer and Ir layer corresponds to the lower electrode 31 in FIG.

[0091] (Step 2) A piezoelectric film was formed to a thickness of 3 μm on the substrate on which the lower electrode (Ti / Ir) was laminated, using a radio frequency (RF) sputtering device. The target material for sputtering the piezoelectric film was Pb 1.3 ((Zr 0.52 Ti 0.48 ) 0.88 Nb 0.12The deposition pressure was 2.2 mTorr, and the deposition temperature was 450°C. The obtained piezoelectric film was a Nb-doped PZT thin film with 12% Nb added in atomic composition.

[0092] (Step 3) On the substrate on which the piezoelectric film obtained above was formed, an upper electrode including a plurality of individual electrode portions having a Pt / Ti laminated structure was patterned by a lift-off method.

[0093] (Step 4) After that, the piezoelectric film and the lower electrode were pattern-etched by inductively coupled plasma (ICP) dry etching.

[0094] (Step 5) Furthermore, an insulating layer made of SiO2 was formed over the entire surface by tetraethoxysilane-chemical vapor deposition (TEOS-CVD) using tetraethoxysilane as a raw material, and then the insulating layer was patterned by ICP dry etching.

[0095] (Step 6) A layered structure of Au / Ti was patterned by lift-off to form the reflecting surface of the mirror, electrode pads, and wiring layers.

[0096] (Step 7) The device layer was pattern-etched by a silicon dry etching process to process the shapes of the actuator, mirror portion, and fixing member.

[0097] (Step 8) Next, the handle layer was subjected to deep reactive ion etching from the back surface of the substrate. Basically, the handle layer was removed while leaving the portion that would become the fixing member.

[0098] (Step 9) Finally, the box layer was removed from the rear surface by dry etching to produce the micromirror device 1 shown in FIG.

[0099] In the above manufacturing process, the reflective surface of the mirror portion is formed in step 6, but the reflective surface may be formed using a reflective material different from the material of the electrode pad and the wiring layer. In that case, for example, following step 6, the reflective surface may be formed by a lift-off method or the like.

[0100] The sizes of the elements of the micromirror device of this embodiment are as follows: The diameter of the mirror portion 12 is 2.7 mm, the length of the first connection portion 21 along the first axis a1 direction (the length from the outer circumference of the mirror to the inner circumference of the actuator) is 0.77 mm, the width along the second axis a2 direction is 0.35 mm, the length of the second connection portion 22 along the second axis a2 direction (the length from the outer circumference of the actuator to the connection point with the fixed portion) is 2.0 mm, and the width along the first axis a1 direction is 0.14 mm. The thicknesses of the mirror portion 12, the actuator 14, the first connecting portion 21 and the second connecting portion are equal to the thickness of the device layer.

[0101] In the micromirror device of this configuration, the sizes of the actuator 14 and the connection part 21 are set so that the frequency of the first resonance mode on the high-speed driving side is 20 kHz, and the second resonance mode is configured to be the smallest order among the resonance modes that are accompanied by tilt vibration on the lower frequency side than the first resonance mode.

[0102] In this example, as described with reference to Figs. 14 to 17, driving was performed by a driving signal in which a first driving signal of a first resonance frequency and a second driving signal of a second resonance frequency were superimposed.

[0103] [Reference example] A plan view of micromirror device 101 of the reference example is shown in Fig. 18. The micromirror device of the reference example was fabricated using the same fabrication procedure as in the example. Micromirror device 101 of the reference example includes a mirror portion 112, an annular first actuator 114 arranged to surround mirror portion 112, an annular second actuator 116 surrounding first actuator 114, a fixed portion 120, a first connecting portion 121, a second connecting portion 122, and a third connecting portion 123. Each of actuators 114 and 116 is a piezoelectric actuator equipped with a piezoelectric element.

[0104] The first actuator 114 includes a pair of semi-annular actuator parts 114A, 114B each equipped with a piezoelectric element, and the pair of semi-annular actuator parts 114A, 114B are connected on a first axis a1 by a first connecting part 121 so as to surround the mirror part 112. The second actuator 116 includes a pair of semi-annular actuator parts 116A, 116B each equipped with a piezoelectric element, and the pair of semi-annular actuator parts 116A, 116B are connected on a second axis a2 by a second connecting part 122 so as to surround the first actuator part 114.

[0105] In the first actuator 114 and the second actuator 116, the hatched areas are individual electrode portions constituting the upper electrodes of the piezoelectric elements. The upper electrodes of the semi-annular actuator portions 114A, 114B, 116A, and 116B each consist of three individual electrode portions, and include three piezoelectric portions defined thereby. The first actuator 114 includes a total of six individual electrode portions ai1-ai3, bi1-bi3. The second actuator 116 includes a total of six individual electrode portions ao1-ao3, bo1-bo3.

[0106] The first actuator 114 is responsible for driving the tilt vibration around the first axis a1, and the second actuator 116 is responsible for driving the tilt vibration around the second axis a2.

[0107] 19 is a simulation diagram of the state in which the mirror portion 112 tilts and vibrates around the first axis a1 in the first resonance mode, and shows a state in which one end x1 in the x-axis direction of the mirror portion 112 tilts and displaces in the +z direction and the other end x2 in the x-axis direction in the -z direction, with the first axis a1 as the center. In FIG. 19, the fixed portion is omitted, and the shade of color indicates the amount of displacement.

[0108] The individual electrode portions of the first semi-annular actuator portions 114A and 114B are arranged according to the positive or negative sign of the principal stress component with the largest absolute value among the principal stresses generated in the in-plane direction of the piezoelectric film of the first actuator in the maximum displacement state when the first actuator is driven in the first resonant mode, and are separated by the stress reversal region. The individual electrode portions of the second semi-annular actuator portions 116A and 116B are arranged according to the positive or negative sign of the principal stress component with the largest absolute value among the principal stresses generated in the in-plane direction of the piezoelectric film of the second actuator in the maximum displacement state when the second actuator is driven in the second resonant mode, and are separated by the stress reversal region.

[0109] In the first actuator 114, the individual electrode parts driven in the same phase are indicated by the same diagonal lines. In Fig. 20, the individual electrode parts ai1, ai3, and bi2 indicated by diagonal lines slanting downward to the right correspond to the tensile stress region t1. In Fig. 20, the individual electrode parts ai2, bi1, and bi3 indicated by diagonal lines slanting upward to the right correspond to the compressive stress region c1. A first drive signal for the first resonance mode having an opposite phase is applied to the individual electrode part corresponding to the tensile stress region t1 and the individual electrode part corresponding to the compressive stress region c1.

[0110] As shown in Fig. 19, in order to tilt and vibrate the mirror section 112 around the first axis a1, a drive signal was input to each piezoelectric section of the first actuator 114. Here, a high-speed drive signal V1a shown in Fig. 15 was input to the individual electrode sections ai1, ai3 and bi2 indicated by diagonal lines downward to the right, and a high-speed drive signal V1b shown in Fig. 15 was input to the individual electrode sections ai2, bi1 and bi3 indicated by diagonal lines upward to the right. In other words, drive signals of the same high-speed frequency but opposite phases were input to the individual electrode sections ai1, ai3 and bi2 and the individual electrode sections ai2, bi1 and bi3.

[0111] Fig. 21 is a simulation diagram of the state in which the mirror section 112 and the first actuator 114 tilt and vibrate around the second axis a2 in the second resonance mode, and shows a state in which the mirror section 112 and the first actuator 114 are tilted and displaced with one end y1 in the y-axis direction of the first actuator 114 tilting in the +z direction and the other end y2 in the y-axis direction tilting in the -z direction, with the second axis a2 as the center. As in Fig. 19, in Fig. 21, the shade of color indicates the amount of displacement.

[0112] As shown in Fig. 21, in order to tilt and vibrate the first actuator 114 and the mirror section 112 around the second axis a2, a drive signal was input to each piezoelectric section of the second actuator 116. Here, a low-speed drive signal of V2a shown in Fig. 17 was input to the individual electrode sections ao1, ao3 and bo2 indicated by diagonal lines downward to the right, and a low-speed drive signal of V2b shown in Fig. 17 was input to the individual electrode sections ao2, bo1 and bo3 indicated by diagonal lines upward to the right. In other words, drive signals of the same low-speed frequency and opposite phases to each other were input to the individual electrode sections ao1, ao3 and bo2 and the individual electrode sections ao2, bo1 and bo3.

[0113] The first and second resonance frequencies were measured for the micromirror devices of the examples and reference examples. In addition, the voltage amplitude of the first drive signal required for scanning 45° around the first axis a1 and the voltage amplitude of the second drive signal required for scanning 30° around the second axis a2 were examined when the micromirror devices were driven in the first and second resonance modes using drive waveforms of the first and second resonance frequencies, respectively. The results are shown in Table 1. The optical scan angle was measured by a method in which a laser was incident perpendicularly on the reflecting surface of the mirror part of the micromirror device, the length of the scan line was measured using a ruler, etc., and the total angle of the scan was calculated from the geometric relationship.

[0114] [Table 2]

[0115] In Table 1, the size of the main body of the structure is the x-direction length x y-direction length of the inner periphery of the solid frame.

[0116] The embodiment and the reference example are micromirror devices having mirror portions of the same size, but the embodiment was able to make the main body size of the structure smaller than that of the reference example.

[0117] It should be noted that when implementing the technology of the present disclosure, the configuration and manufacturing method are not limited to those of this embodiment, and the substrate material, electrode material, piezoelectric material, film thickness, film formation conditions, etc. can be appropriately selected depending on the purpose.

[0118] The disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2019-086635, filed on April 26, 2019, is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. All publications, patent applications, and standards mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent application, or standard was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.

Claims

1. a mirror portion having a reflective surface that reflects light; an annular actuator disposed surrounding the mirror portion; a first connection portion that connects the mirror portion and the actuator so that the mirror portion is rotatable around a first axis; A fixing portion provided on an outer periphery of the actuator; a second connection portion that connects the actuator and the fixed portion so that the actuator can rotate around a second axis that intersects with the first axis; the actuator applies a rotational torque about the first axis to the mirror portion to rotationally drive the mirror portion in a first resonance mode in which a tilt vibration is generated about the first axis, and applies a rotational torque about the second axis to the mirror portion to rotationally drive the mirror portion in a second resonance mode in which a tilt vibration is generated about the second axis, the actuator is a piezoelectric actuator comprising a piezoelectric element in which a lower electrode, a piezoelectric film and an upper electrode are laminated on a vibration plate, the upper electrode being composed of a plurality of separated individual electrode portions, and the piezoelectric element including a plurality of piezoelectric portions defined by each of the plurality of individual electrode portions; A micromirror device in which the multiple individual electrode portions in the upper electrode are separated in all first stress reversal regions, where the sign of the principal stress component with the largest absolute value among the principal stresses generated in the in-plane direction of the piezoelectric film is reversed in a maximum displacement state when the piezoelectric film is rotationally driven in the first resonant mode, and in all second stress reversal regions, where the sign of the principal stress component with the largest absolute value among the principal stresses generated in the in-plane direction of the piezoelectric film when the piezoelectric film is rotationally driven in the second resonant mode is reversed, the multiple individual electrode portions in the upper electrode being separated in all first stress reversal regions and all second stress reversal regions, where the sign of the principal stress component with the largest absolute value among the principal stresses generated in the in-plane direction of the piezoelectric film when the piezoelectric film is rotationally driven in the second resonant mode, are reversed using finite element method software, given parameters of device dimensions, Young's modulus of the material, and device shape.

2. The micro-mirror device according to claim 1 , wherein the first connection portion connects the mirror portion and the actuator on the first axis.

3. The micromirror device according to claim 1 , wherein the second connection portion connects the actuator and the fixed portion on the second axis.

4. A micromirror device described in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the upper electrode has at least eight individual electrode portions as the plurality of individual electrode portions, and the plurality of individual electrode portions are arranged symmetrically with respect to the first axis and the second axis.

5. 5. The micromirror device according to claim 1, further comprising a drive circuit for inputting a drive signal to each of the plurality of piezoelectric portions of the actuator.

6. 6. The micromirror device according to claim 5, wherein the drive circuit drives the mirror portion in the first resonance mode to generate a tilt vibration around the first axis, and inputs a drive signal to the plurality of piezoelectric portions to drive the mirror portion in the second resonance mode to generate a tilt vibration around the second axis.

7. The drive circuit applies, as the drive signal, a drive voltage waveform to a piezoelectric part located in a region where the principal stress component with the maximum absolute value is positive at the moment when the vibration amplitude is maximized when driven in the first resonance mode, and a drive voltage waveform to a piezoelectric part located in a region where the principal stress component with the maximum absolute value is negative. The micromirror device according to claim 6, wherein a drive signal is input which is a superposition of a first drive signal in which the drive voltage waveforms to be applied are in opposite phase to each other, and a second drive signal in which the drive voltage waveform to be applied to a piezoelectric part located in a region where the principal stress component with the largest absolute value is positive at the moment when the vibration amplitude is maximized when driven in the second resonant mode and the drive voltage waveform to be applied to a piezoelectric part located in a region where the principal stress component with the largest absolute value is negative are in opposite phase to each other.

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