Three dimensional optical switches and beam steering modules

A beam steering module comprising:

• one or more beam steering elements including a first and second deflector array, wherein the one or more beam steering elements deflect one or more optical signals in two dimensions,
• wherein one or more of the first and second deflector arrays includes and L×M array of deflectors, where L and M are integers greater than or equal to one
• wherein N first and second deflector arrays are stacked to form an N×L×M beam steering module, where N is an integer greater than or equal to 1.
• wherein the first deflector array includes one or more dual-axis deflectors configured to rotate about a first axis and a second axis.

An optical switch, comprising:

• a first beam steering module;
• a second beam steering module optically coupled to the first beam steering module;
• wherein at least one of the first and second beam steering modules includes at least one beam steering element,
• wherein the at least one beam steering element deflects an optical signal in two dimensions,
• wherein the at least one beam steering element includes a stack containing one or more first deflector arrays optically coupled to one or more second deflector arrays
• wherein one or more of the first and second deflector arrays includes a double sided array,
• wherein the double sided array has on one side one or more deflectors configured to rotate about a single first axis, the double sided array having on another side one more deflectors configured to rotate about a single second axis;
• or
• wherein the double sided array has on one side one or more deflectors configured to rotate about a first axis and a second axis, the double sided array having on another side one more fixed deflectors.

An optical switch, comprising:

• a first beam steering module;
• a second beam steering module optically coupled to the first beam steering module;
• wherein at least one of the first and second beam steering modules includes at least one beam steering element,
• wherein the at least one beam steering element deflects an optical signal in two dimensions,
• wherein the first and second modules are arranged in a substantially curved configuration.