High speed low loss optical switch for optical communication systems

A method for controllably switching an input optical signal on an input optical conduit between first and second output optical conduits, comprising:

• applying said input optical signal to be incident on a first reflective surface of a Fabry-Perot interferometer at an acute angle to said first reflective surface,
• said Fabry-Perot interferometer having a second reflective surface with an optical medium between said first and second reflective surfaces, said optical medium having a controllably variable index of refraction, said reflective surfaces being parallel with respect to each other defining an optical cavity therebetween having said optical medium therein, said input optical signal being controllably reflected from said first reflective surface to said first output optical conduit at an acute angle to said first reflective surface or transmitted through said cavity to said second output optical conduit in accordance with said index of refraction of said medium, and
• controllably varying said index of refraction of said medium so as to controllably switch said input optical signal between said first and second optical conduits.