Patent ID: 7590316

Claim:
An optical switch comprising: a plurality of N input ports, N being greater than or equal to 3; a plurality of M output ports, M being greater than or equal to 2; and a plurality of displaceable beam steering arrangements which, during switching, displace, wherein said displaceable arrangements displace to and from positions of interception of substantially entire beams originating from said input ports and direct said beams on paths to said output ports; wherein each displaceable beam steering arrangement comprises a reflective arrangement which in a first mode of displacement, is retractable from the optical path of light exiting, in use, from a first input port; and, in a second mode of displacement, said reflective arrangement is displaceable into a position to receive light from a further input port without during its displacement interfering with other ports of said input ports located between said first port and said further port.