Patent ID: 6560384
Filing Date: 2003-05-06
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
An optical switch comprising:a plurality of mirrors secured to a support structure, each mirror being located in a position wherein a respective light signal being emitted by a respective input optical fiber is reflected by the mirror, the mirror being movable relative to the support structure for first pivotable movement about a first axis and second pivotable movement about a second axis transverse to the first axis, an angular displacement of each pivotable movement being limited with the angular displacement of the first pivotable movement being limited to less than the angular displacement of the second pivotable movement, wherein the first axis extends in a first direction and the second axis extends in a second direction and wherein the second axis is at an angle to the light signal being reflected by the mirror and the mirror has a length in the first direction and a width in the second direction, the length being more than the width, the angular displacement of the first pivotable movement being limited to less than the angular displacement of the second pivotable movement which is at least in part due to the length of the mirror being more than the width of the mirror, and wherein at least 95 percent of all the mirrors are located over an area having a length in the first direction and a width in the second direction, the length being larger than the width.