Abstract: A micro relay switch (300) having a main body (13), a first electrical contact (302) positioned on a moveable relay switching element (17), and a second electrical contact positioned on the main body (13). One or more membranes (26, 52) connect the moveable switching element (17) to the main body (13) and an actuator (30) moves the moveable switching element (17) from a first position (72) to a second position (74). The first and second electrical contacts (302, 304) are positioned such that when the actuator (30) moves the moveable relay switching element (17) from the first position (72) to the second position (74), the first electrical contact (302) makes electrical connection with the second electrical contact (304). The membranes may be either or both of a primary membrane (26) or a secondary membrane (52). A primary membrane (26) may be used as a temporary membrane (32).

Abstract: A micro relay switch (300) having a main body (13), a first electrical contact (302) positioned on a moveable relay switching element (17), and a second electrical contact positioned on the main body (13). One or more membranes (26, 52) connect the moveable switching element (17) to the main body (13) and an actuator (30) moves the moveable switching element (17) from a first position (72) to a second position (74). The first and second electrical contacts (302, 304) are positioned such that when the actuator (30) moves the moveable relay switching element (17) from the first position (72) to the second position (74), the first electrical contact (302) makes electrical connection with the second electrical contact (304). The membranes may be either or both of a primary membrane (26) or a secondary membrane (52). A primary membrane (26) may be used as a temporary membrane (32).

Abstract: A microstructure switch (10, 50) having a main body (13), a moveable switching element (17), one or more membranes (26, 52) which connect the moveable switching element (17) to the main body (13) and an actuator (30) which moves the moveable switching element (17) from a first position (72) to at least one activated position (74). The membranes may be either or both of a primary membrane (26) or a secondary membrane (52). A primary membrane (26) may be used as a temporary membrane (32) which serves to position the moveable switching element (17) until it is permanently positioned by a secondary membrane (52), or by an actuator (30). At this point the temporary membrane (32) is removed. Also an optical system (100) which uses various directing components (76) in conjunction with a microstructure switch (10, 50) to direct signals (92) to various channels (86).

Abstract: A microstructure switch (10, 50) having a main body (13), a moveable switching element (17), one or more membranes (26, 52) which connect the moveable switching element (17) to the main body (13) and an actuator (30) which moves the moveable switching element (17) from a first position (72) to at least one activated position (74). The membranes may be either or both of a primary membrane (26) or a secondary membrane (52). A primary membrane (26) may be used as a temporary membrane (32) which serves to position the moveable switching element (17) until it is permanently positioned by a secondary membrane (52), or by an actuator (30). At this point the temporary membrane (32) is removed.