Optical switch

A method for alternatively redirecting an input beam, the input beam being launched along an input axis, the method comprising the steps of:

• directing the input beam along a directed axis;
• positioning a redirector along the directed axis in the path of the input beam;
• redirecting the input beam with the redirector so that a redirected beam alternatively launches from the redirector (i) along a first redirected axis that is spaced apart from the directed axis when the redirector is positioned at a first position, and (ii) along a second redirected axis that is spaced apart from the directed axis when the redirector is positioned at a second position that is different from the first position;
• moving the redirector about a movement axis between the first position and the second position with a redirector mover, the redirector mover including a stator component and a rotor component that moves relative to the stator component, the input beam being directed along the directed axis substantially between the stator component and the redirector prior to the input beam being redirected by the redirector.

An optical fiber switch for alternatively redirecting an input beam along a first redirected axis and along a second redirected axis, the input beam being launched along an input axis and directed along a directed axis, the optical switch comprising:

• a redirector that is positioned in the path of the input beam along the directed axis, the redirector redirecting the input beam so that a redirected beam alternatively launches from the redirector (i) along the first redirected axis that is spaced apart from the directed axis when the redirector is positioned at a first position, and (ii) along the second redirected axis that is spaced apart from the directed axis when the redirector is positioned at a second position that is different from the first position;
• a redirector mover that moves the redirector about a movement axis between the first position and the second position, the redirector mover including a stator component and a rotor component that moves relative to the stator component;
• and
• a locking assembly that selectively locks the redirector at the first position and at the second position.