Patent ID: 7263250

Claim:
An optical switch comprising: a first polarization beam splitter configured to receive an input optical signal and reflect a first polarization portion having a first plane of polarization and transmit a second polarization portion having a second plane of polarization at least two reflection members each configured to receive the second polarization portion at a particular angle and reflect the second polarization portion at an output angle corresponding to the particular angle of which the second polarization portion is received; a second polarization beam splitter positioned to combine the first polarization portion with the second polarization portion and direct the combined first and second polarization portions to one of a plurality of output locations; and at least two polarization rotators configured to be turned on and off to selectively rotate the plane of polarization of an optical signal a respective one of the first and second polarization portions in response to an electrical input to each polarization rotator, wherein each polarization rotator is located such that the first and second polarization portions which transmit through the respective polarization rotators are directed to the second polarization beam splitter.