Abstract: An optical switch array in which at least three input waveguides are coupled to at least three output waveguides. Each of the input waveguides is coupled in the same order to each of the output waveguides by a coupling element such as a y-junction combiner, via an intermediate waveguide and a switching mechanism that includes a coupling element such as a 1×2 switch. For compactness, the coupling elements that couple to the same input waveguide are mutually displaced along the output waveguides.