Optical switching system that uses movable microstructures to switch optical signals in three dimensions

A method of switching an optical signal in three dimensions in an optical switch system, the optical switch system comprising a first optical switch element and a second optical switch element, the first optical switch element including a first substrate, a first platform adapted to move relative to the first substrate, a first actuation mechanism to cause the first platform to move from a first position to a second position relative to the first substrate, and a first waveguide network providing a first optical path and a second optical path and being coupled to move with the first platform;

• the second optical switch element including a second substrate, a second platform adapted to move relative to the second substrate, a second actuation mechanism to cause the second platform to move from a first position to a second position relative to the second substrate, and a second waveguide network having a third optical path and a fourth optical path and being coupled to move with the second platform, the method comprising the steps of:
• propagating the optical signal toward the first waveguide network of the first optical switch element;
• determining whether the optical signal is to propagate along the first or second optical path of the first waveguide network of the first optical switch element;
• selectively moving the first platform to a first position or a second position relative to the first substrate of the first optical switch element, whereby when the first platform is in the first position, the optical signal travels along the first optical path in the first waveguide network, and when the first platform is in the second position, the optical signal travels along the second optical path in the first waveguide network;
• propagating the optical signal from the first waveguide network toward the second waveguide network of the second optical switch element;
• determining whether the optical signal is to propagate along the third or fourth optical path of the second waveguide network of the second optical switch element, the third or fourth optical path of the second optical switch element being in a different plane than the first or second optical path of the first optical switch element;
• and
• selectively moving the second platform to a first position or a second position relative to the second substrate of the second optical switch element, whereby when the second platform is in the first position, the optical signal travels along the third optical path in the second waveguide network, and when the second platform is in the second position, the optical signal travels along the fourth optical path in the second waveguide network.