Patent ID: 6944361

Claim:
An optical switch, comprising: a first waveguide formed in a first layer of an integrated circuit, the first waveguide having an input for receiving a light beam, and an output; a second waveguide formed in a second layer of the integrated circuit, the second waveguide being nonintersecting with said first waveguide and having an output; and a bridge waveguide twistably movable between a first position and a second position around an axis substantially parallel to said first and second layers, said bridge waveguide in said first position forming an index-guided, substantially nonreflecting optical pathway between said first and second waveguides such that said light beam exits said second waveguide, said bridge waveguide in said first position having an input end moved toward said first waveguide and an output end moved toward said second waveguide to establish said pathway, said bridge waveguide in said second position not providing said pathway so that said light beam exits said first waveguide.