ABSTRACT
This chapter illustrates a few switch designs, which are manufactured for use in communication systems, and other applications. Opto-mechanical and electro-mechanical switches are the oldest type of optical switch and the most widely deployed at this time. These devices achieve switching by moving fibre or other optical components by means of stepper motors or relay arms. This causes them to have relatively slow switching time; however, their reliability is excellent, and they offer low insertion and crosstalk losses. More technology exists for optical switches than any other functional component within the optical network. Optical switches include many types, for example: opto-mechanical switches, thermo-optic switches, electro-optic switches, micro-electro-mechanical switches (MEMS) and micro-opto-mechanical switches (MOMS). New types of optical switches are in the research and development stages. The chapter presents four cases in building opto-mechanical switches using a movable mirror or prism to switch between the input and output ports.
