A photonic switch matrix comprising: a plurality of 1x2 input switches , each 1x2 input switch comprising: an input port for receiving an optical beam; first and second output ports for outputting the optical beam in a pre-defined state of polarization; a polarization controller coupled to the input port for providing the pre-defined state of polarization of the optical beam, the polarization controller including at least one polarization controller stage comprising two optical paths associated with two polarization components of the optical beam; and an optical mixer stage coupled to the two optical paths of the at least one polarization controller stage for mixing light in the two optical paths so as to direct the optical beam in the pre-defined state of polarization to the first or second output port; a plurality of output switches; and a plurality of intermediary switches coupled to the plurality of 1x2 input switches and the plurality of output switches, for selectively establishing optical paths between the plurality of 1x2 input switches and the plurality of output switches, wherein each one of the plurality of 1x2 input switches further comprises: an input element for splitting the input beam into the orthogonal polarization components, wherein the input element comprises one of: a polarization rotator splitter ; and a polarization splitting surface grating coupler. a plurality of 1x2 input switches , each 1x2 input switch comprising: an input port for receiving an optical beam; first and second output ports for outputting the optical beam in a pre-defined state of polarization; a polarization controller coupled to the input port for providing the pre-defined state of polarization of the optical beam, the polarization controller including at least one polarization controller stage comprising two optical paths associated with two polarization components of the optical beam; and an optical mixer stage coupled to the two optical paths of the at least one polarization controller stage for mixing light in the two optical paths so as to direct the optical beam in the pre-defined state of polarization to the first or second output port; an input port for receiving an optical beam; first and second output ports for outputting the optical beam in a pre-defined state of polarization; a polarization controller coupled to the input port for providing the pre-defined state of polarization of the optical beam, the polarization controller including at least one polarization controller stage comprising two optical paths associated with two polarization components of the optical beam; and an optical mixer stage coupled to the two optical paths of the at least one polarization controller stage for mixing light in the two optical paths so as to direct the optical beam in the pre-defined state of polarization to the first or second output port; a plurality of output switches; and a plurality of intermediary switches coupled to the plurality of 1x2 input switches and the plurality of output switches, for selectively establishing optical paths between the plurality of 1x2 input switches and the plurality of output switches, wherein each one of the plurality of 1x2 input switches further comprises: an input element for splitting the input beam into the orthogonal polarization components, wherein the input element comprises one of: a polarization rotator splitter ; and a polarization splitting surface grating coupler. a polarization rotator splitter ; and a polarization splitting surface grating coupler. <EOS>