Patent ID: 8687278

Claim:
An opto-mechanical switch for producing different optical paths from two optical path sections out of a plurality of optical path sections that are oriented in different spatial directions, comprising: an optical component on which one end of each optical path section impinges and which is adapted to be moved linearly in a direction of movement at right angles to the optical path sections between different switching positions in which the optical component selectively couples different optical path sections optically with each other; and wherein at least three switching positions of the optical component are provided and each switching position has a discrete position of the optical component in the direction of movement assigned to the optical component, the optical path sections impinging on different portions of the optical component at different positions in the direction of movement in the different switching positions, and the different portions including optical functional elements that bring about an optical function between the optical path sections connected with each other, the optical function comprising transmission or reflection.