Optical switch

An optical switch for switching light signals coming from first and second input fibers toward first and second output fibers, comprising:

• a first collimator retaining the first input fiber and the second output fiber;
• a second collimator retaining the second input fiber and the first output fiber;
• a switching element comprising a first reflector, a second reflector and a third reflector, the switching element being moveable between a first position and a second position;
• whereby, when the switching element is in the first position, light signals from the first and second input fibers are reflected by the corresponding first and second reflectors to the corresponding second and first output fibers, and when the switching element is displaced to the second position, the light signals from the first and second input fibers are reflected by the third reflector to the corresponding first and second output fibers.

An optical switch for switching light signals coming from a first and second input fibers between a first and second output fibers, comprising:

• a first collimator retaining the first input fiber and the second output fiber;
• a second collimator retaining the second input fiber and the first output fiber;
• a switching element having a first reflecting surface, a second reflecting surface and a third reflecting surface, the switching element being moveable between a first position and a second position;
• whereby, when the switching element is in the first position, light signals from the first and second input fibers are reflected by the corresponding first and second reflecting surfaces to the corresponding second and first output fiber, and when the switching element is displaced to the second position, the light signals from the first and second input fibers are reflected by the third reflecting surface to the corresponding first and second output fibers.

An optical switch assembly comprising:

• a first collimator retaining one input fiber and one output fiber and one GRIN lens;
• a second collimator retaining another input fiber and another output fiber and another GRIN lens;
• said first collimator and said second collimator being arranged in a non-parallel converged manner where a converging region located beside said GRIN lenses, is defined by a light path transmitted between said first collimator and said second collimator with a converging point at an apex thereof;
• switching device positioned around said converging region, said switching device providing:
• a first reflection surface either fixedly or moveably located at said converging point so as to achieve mutual reflection of both said first collimator and said second collimator where light from said one input fiber leaves from said another output fiber while light from said another input fiber leaves from said one output;
• and
• second and third reflection surfaces substantially moveably located respectively between the converging point and said first and second collimators to interrupt light paths thereof so as to achieve self-reflection of both said first collimator and said second collimator where light from said one input fiber leaves from said one input fiber while light from said another input fiber leaves from said another output fiber.