Low-cost mechanical fiber-optic switch

Optical components for WDM lightwave networks

“…These devices offer slow switching (about milliseconds) and may be employed in circuit-switched networks. One mechanical switch, for example, consists of two ferrules, each with polished end faces that can rotate to switch the light appropriately [44]. Thermooptic waveguide switches, on the other hand, are fabricated on a glass substrate and are operated by the use of the thermooptic effect.…”