title: Optimal design of a bistable switch.
abstract: Determining optimally designed structures is important for diverse fields of science and engineering. Here we describe a procedure for calculating the optimal design of a switch and apply the method to a bistable microelectromechanical system relay switch. The approach focuses on characterizing the unstable transition state connecting the two stable equilibria to control the force displacements. Small modifications in component shape lead to a substantial improvement in device operation. Fabrication of the optimized devices confirms the predictions.
authors.affiliation: Division of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA. brenner@deas.harvard.edu
authors.forename: Michael P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Brenner
authors.forename: Jeffrey H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Lang
authors.forename: Jian
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Jin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Qiu
authors.forename: Alexander H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Slocum