Diamond-like carbon heat sink for reflective optical switches and devices

A method of making a reflective optical switch comprising:

• (a) providing a first substrate layer comprised of a diamond-like carbon via enchanced chemical deposition;
• (b) providing a hydrogenated amorphous carbon heat sink layer over the first substrate layer;
• and,
• (c) providing a reflective layer over the heat sink layer, said reflective layer being suitable to redirect light beams incident thereon.

An optical switch device for redirecting at least portion of a beam of light traveling along a first direction to a second direction, comprising,

• a base member;
• an
• a reflective panel pivotally connected to the base member, said reflective panel comprising:
• a first substrate;
• a reflective layer disposed above the first substrate;
• a heat sink layer
• wherein the reflective panel further comprises:
• a liquid crystal layer disposed above the reflective layer;
• a transmissive electrode layer disposed above the liquid crystal layer;
• and
• a second substrate disposed above the transmissive electrode layer.

An optical communication system comprising:

• a plurality of input fibers operative to emit light beams;
• a first microelectromechanical mirror positioned to receive light beams emitted by at least one of the input fibers, said first microelectromechanical mirror being adapted to selectively reflect light beams a long a plurality of paths, said first microelectromechanical mirror including:
• a substrate;
• a heat sink layer comprised of diamond, hydrogenated amorphous carbon, or diamond-like carbon (DLC) covering the substrate said heat sink layer having a thickness between about 2.0 nm and 4000 nm,
• a reflective layer covering the heat sink layer;
• and,
• a plurality of output fibers operative to receive reflected light beams.