Coupling of length scales and atomistic simulation of MEMS resonators

Robert E. Rudd III; Jeremy Q. Broughton

doi:10.1117/12.341254

10 March 1999 Coupling of length scales and atomistic simulation of MEMS resonators

Robert E. Rudd III, Jeremy Q. Broughton

Proceedings Volume 3680, Design, Test, and Microfabrication of MEMS and MOEMS; (1999) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.341254
Event: Design, Test, and Microfabrication of MEMS/MOEMS, 1999, Paris, France

Abstract

We present simulations of the dynamic and temperature dependent behavior of Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) by utilizing recently developed parallel codes which enable a coupling of length scales. The novel techniques used in this simulation accurately model the behavior of the mechanical components of MEMS down to the atomic scale. We study the vibrational behavior of one class of MEMS devices: micron-scale resonators made of silicon and quartz. The algorithmic and computational avenue applied here represents a significant departure from the usual finite element approach based on continuum elastic theory. The approach is to use an atomistic simulation in regions of significantly anharmonic forces and large surface area to volume ratios or where internal friction due to defects using finite elements for efficiency. Thus, in central regions of the device, the motion of millions of individual atoms is simulated, while the relatively large peripheral regions are modeled with finite elements. The two techniques run concurrently and mesh seamlessly, passing information back and forth. We present novel simulations of the vibrational behavior of micro-scale silicon and quartz oscillators. Our result are contrasted with the predictions of continuum elastic theory as a function of size, and the failure of the continuum techniques is clear in the limit of small sizes. We also extract the Q value for the resonators and study the corresponding dissipative processes.

Citation Download Citation

Robert E. Rudd III and Jeremy Q. Broughton "Coupling of length scales and atomistic simulation of MEMS resonators", Proc. SPIE 3680, Design, Test, and Microfabrication of MEMS and MOEMS, (10 March 1999); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.341254

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