Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-hc48f Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-29T17:04:33.640Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Computer Microvision for MEMS

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 February 2011

Dennis M. Freeman*
Affiliation:
EECS Department, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts [email protected]
Get access

Abstract

We have developed a versatile instrument for in situ measurement of motions of MEMS. Images of MEMS are magnified with an optical microscope and projected onto a CCD camera. Stroboscopic illumination is used to obtain stop-action images of the moving structures. Stopaction images from multiple focal planes provide information about 3D structure and 3D motion. Image analysis algorithms determine motions of all visible structures with nanometer accuracy.

Hardware for the system includes the microscope, CCD camera and associated frame grabber, piezoelectric focusing element, and a modular stimulator that generates arbitrary periodic waveforms and synchronized stroboscopic illumination. These elements are controlled from a Pentium-based computer using a graphical user interface that guides the user through both data collection and data analysis. The system can measure motions at frequencies as high as 5 MHz with nanometer resolution, i.e., well below the wavelength of light.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2000

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1. Bernstein, J., Cho, S., King, A. T., Kourepenis, A., Maciel, P., and Weinberg, M.. A microma-chined comb-drive tuning fork rate gyroscope. In Solid-State Sensor and Actuator Workshop, pages 143148. Transducer Research Foundation, Inc., Cleveland, June 1993.Google Scholar
2. Brown, S. B., Arsdell, W. Van, and Muhlstein, C. L.. Materials reliability in MEMS devices. In Transducers '97, pages 591593. 1997 International conference on Solid-State Sensors and Actuators, Chicago, June 1997.Google Scholar
3. Davis, C. Q. and Freeman, D. M.. Direct observations of sound-induced motions of the reticular lamina, tectorial membrane, hair bundles, and individual stereocilia. In Abstracts of the Eighteenth Midwinter Research Meeting, St. Petersburg Beach, Florida, February 1995. Association for Research in Otolaryngology.Google Scholar
4. Davis, C. Q. and Freeman, D. M.. Statistics of subpixel registration algorithms based on spatiotemporal gradients or block matching. Opt. Engr., 37:12901298, 1998.10.1117/1.601966Google Scholar
5. Davis, C. Q. and Freeman, D. M.. Using a light microscope to measure motions with nanometer accuracy. Opt. Engr., 37:12991304, 1998.Google Scholar
6. Freeman, D. M., Aranyosi, A. J., Gordon, M. J., and Hong, S. S.. Multidimensional motion analysis of MEMS using Computer Microvision. In Solid-State Sensor and Actuator Workshop, pages 150155. Transducer Research Foundation, Inc., June 1998.Google Scholar
7. Freeman, D. M. and Davis, C. Q.. Using video microscopy to characterize micromechanics of biological and manmade micromachines. In Solid-State Sensor and Actuator Workshop, pages 161167. Transducer Research Foundation, Inc., June 1996.Google Scholar
8. Hopkins, H. H. and Barham, P. M.. The influence of the condenser on microscopic resolution. Proc. Phys. Soc., 63:737744, 1950.Google Scholar
9. Inoué, Shinya. Video Microscopy. Plenum Press, New York, NY, 1986.10.1007/978-1-4757-6925-8Google Scholar
10. Karu, Z. Z.. Fast subpixel registration of 3-D images. PhD thesis, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1997.Google Scholar