The present invention provides a digital optical switch apparatus and
process for manufacturing the apparatus. The apparatus includes a mirror
assembly coupled to a top cap and to a bottom cap. The top and bottom
caps each include one or more electrodes that, when energized with
electrical energy, move a mirrored surface to one of a plurality of
discrete positions. Mirror assemblies can be cascaded to create a
packaged assembly having any multiple of discrete positions. The process
includes planar micro-machining techniques to create isolated islands for
electrical feed through. The process enables mechanical bonding of
multiple tiers via a single bond region and through a bond-pad window.