ACTUATION AND CALIBRATION OF A CHARGE NEUTRAL ELECTRODE IN AN INTERFEROMETRIC DISPLAY DEVICE

This disclosure provides systems methods and devices for actuating charging and calibrating the charge on a movable electrode in an interferometric device. The interferometric device (1000) can include a first electrode (1002) a second electrode (1010) spaced apart from the first electrode by a gap at least one electrical contact (2132) and an electrically neutral movable third electrode (1006) disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode. The third electrode can be charged by applying a charging actuation voltage across the first electrode and the second electrode to produce an electric field in the gap. Under the electric field the electrically neutral third electrode (1006) can move towards the first electrode from a first position to a second position where it connects with the electrical contact (2132). Once in contact with the electrical contact an electric charge on the third electrode can be changed when the third electrode is in the second position. When a mechanical restorative force on the third electrode exceeds the force of the electric field on the third electrode the third electrode moves to a third position.