Patent ID: 6477289
Filing Date: 2002-11-05
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
An optical switch comprising:an optical input (22) configured to provide an optical signal; an optical element (52) mounted on a selectively movable switch mechanism, the optical element having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion capable of being disposed in a first switch position to transmit a light signal from the optical input in a first direction through the optical element without significant refraction or internal reflection of the light signal in the optical element and the second portion capable of being disposed in a second switch position to refract the light signal, without internal reflection of the light signal in the optical element, in a second direction, the optical element being disposed between the optical input and an optical output (69), wherein the optical element is selectively switchable between the first switch position and the second switch position, the first switch position directing the optical signal to optically couple with the optical output and the second switch position refracting the optical signal to not optically couple with the optical output.