Switching light by the use of opto-mechanical micro devices

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