Multichannel fiber-optic switches based on MOEM systems

Fiber-optic switches become more and more appealing components not only in the field of optical communication, but also in measurements systems, sensors and data storage. We have developed a number of concepts for fiber-optic switches, all based on different types of special micro-optical components, actuated by miniaturized mechanical systems, primarily piezoelectric actuators. We present micro-optical configurations and discuss their potential for the creation of different types of miniaturized switches.