US Patent 6989921 Magnetically actuated micro-electro-mechanical apparatus and method of manufacture

An array of magnetically actuated MEMS mirror devices is provided having stationary magnets configured to provide strong magnetic fields in the plane of the mirrors without any magnets or magnet-system components in the plane of the mirrors. Also, a magnetically actuated mirror device is provided that includes an improved actuation coil configuration that provides greater torque during mirror actuation. In addition, a mechanism is provided to detect the angular deflection of a moveable mirror. Also, an improved process is provided for manufacturing MEMS mirror devices.