Abstract: A monolithically fabricated magnetically-actuatable opto-mechanical on/off switch includes a pair of planar optical waveguides, the first waveguide of the pair being fixed in position and the second waveguide of the pair being movable between a conducting orientation wherein it is in optical alignment with the one waveguide and a non-conducting orientation wherein it is not in optical alignment with the one waveguide. A ferromagnetic component is fixedly secured to the movable second waveguide for movement therewith as a unit. A magnet may be provided for moving the ferromagnetic component, and hence for moving the movable second waveguide between the conducting and non-conducting orientations.

Abstract: A moving fiber optical fiber switch is formed by mounting one or more optical fibers on support surfaces of two spaced support members, one or both of which are laterally movable. After mounting of the fiber or fibers, a transverse fine cut across the fiber or fibers produces a conventional gap, but providing extremely accurate positioning. A pivot member moved by a coil mounted on a lever extension, in conjunction with magnets, moves one or both support members via rods or similar members extending between the pivot member and the support members, one on each side of the pivot axis of the pivot member. Adjustment means coactive with the free end of the lever provides easy and accurate control of the pivoting of the pivot member and of the support members and fibers. A large lever differential obtained by the lever provides for the ease and accuracy of control.

Abstract: A switch for controlling the transmission of light from a first optical fiber to at least a second optical fiber or from a single bidirectional optical fiber back to itself includes a housing having a spherical concave reflector mounted therewithin. Fiber mounting means is provided for mounting optical fiber(s) at a predetermined location within the housing such that at least a portion of a beam of light emanating from the end face of one fiber propagates along an incidence path toward the reflector from which it is reflected by the curved concave reflector along a predetermined reflectance path. A light interrupter is mounted within the housing for switchable movement between a light transmissive state and a light interruptive state. A light absorbing member is positioned such that residual light reflected from the light interrupter is directed toward and absorbed by the light absorbing member.

Abstract: A ferrule having an optical fiber connected thereto and a spherical lens are fixed in a cylindrical lens holder to form a fiber collimator. The thickness of a cylindrical wall of the lens holder is made smaller at a spherical lens receiving portion than the other portion and the cylindrical lens holder is fixed to a substrate by welding. A pair of such fiber collimators are provided in an opposing relationship to each other on the substrate, and an optical function element is disposed between the opposing fiber collimators to form an optical device. By provision of a light path changing over mechanism as such optical function element, an optical switch of a small size having a high performance can be provided.