Optical switching apparatus

• US 6,430,332 B1
• Filed: 05/12/1999
• Issued: 08/06/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/05/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Lumentum Operations, LLC (Lumentum Holdings Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Fiber LLC
• Inventors: Laor, Herzel, Krozier, David A., Plouffe, Leo A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sanghavi, Hemang
• Assistant Examiner(s): PAK, SUNG H
• Application Number:
  US09/310,285
• Time in Patent Office: 1,182 Days
• Field of Search: 385/18, 385/17, 385/33, 385/47, 385/50, 385/52, 385/16, 385/19, 385/22, 359/117, 359/128
• US Class Current: 385/18
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 26/085 the reflecting means being moved or deformed by electromagnetic means
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 26/101 with both horizontal and vertical deflecting means, e.g. raster or XY scanners colour television using laser beams scanning a display screen H04N9/3129
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3512 the optical element being reflective, e.g. mirror
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3518 the reflective optical element being an intrinsic part of a MEMS device, i.e. fabricated together with the MEMS device MEMS devices in general B81B; manufacture of MEM devices in general B81C; micromechanical devices controlling the direction of light G02B26/0833
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3548 1xN switch, i.e. one input and a selectable single output of N possible outputs
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3558 1xN switch, i.e. one input and a selectable single output of N possible outputs
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3572 Magnetic force magnetic forces controlling reflecting elements in general G02B26/085; magneto-optic devices G02F1/09
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/358 Latching of the moving element, i.e. maintaining or holding the moving element in place once operation has been performed; includes a mechanically bistable system
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3582 Housing means or package or arranging details of the switching elements, e.g. for thermal isolation
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/359 of the position of the moving element itself during switching, i.e. without monitoring the switched beams
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 359/904 Micromirror

Abstract

An optical matrix switch station (1) is shown mounting a plurality of optical switch units (15, 17), each of which includes a mirror (29), moveable in two axes, for purpose of switching light beams from one optical fiber to another. A mirror assembly (41) is formed from a single body of silicon and comprises a frame portion (43), gimbals (45), mirror portion (47), and related hinges (55). Magnets (53, 54) and air coils (89) are utilized to position the central mirror surface (29) to a selected orientation. The moveable mirror and associated magnets along with control LED'"'"'s (71) are hermetically packaged in a header (81) and mounted with the air coils on mounting bracket (85) to form a micromirror assembly package (99) mounted in each optical switch unit.

Claims

1. An optical beam switching system for transmitting an optical beam from a source to any one of a group of optical receptors comprising:

a focusing lens for focusing an optical beam and directing the optical beam along a selected path;

a first movable mirror mounted in the selected path;

a plurality of second movable mirrors and a plurality of optical receptors;

a control for moving the first movable mirror to direct the optical beam to any selected second mirror and for moving the selected movable mirror to direct the optical beam to a selected optical receptor for transmission of the optical beam from the focusing lens to the selected optical receptor; and

radiation emitters disposed adjacent each movable mirror to provide a feedback signal to the control for adjusting the position of the movable mirrors to minimize transmission loss of the optical beam to the receptor.

2. An optical beam switching system according to claim 1 in which each optical receptor is mounted in optical receiving relationship with an associated second movable mirror.

3. An optical beam switching system according to claim 1 in which the movable mirrors are movable about at least one axis of rotation.

4. An optical switching system according to claim 1 in which the movable mirrors are movable about two axes of rotation.

5. An optical beam switching system according to claim 4 in which the two axes of rotation are disposed ninety degrees relative to one another.

6. An optical beam switching system according to claim 1 in which each optical receptor is an end of an optical fiber having a longitudinal axis and the position of the movable mirrors are adjusted to direct the optical beam along a path coincident with the longitudinal axis of the selected optical receptor.

7. An optical switching system according to claim 6 in which the focusing lens and the first movable mirror are mounted in a housing and each second movable mirror and associated optical fiber are mounted in a respective separate housing.

8. An optical beam switching system according to claim 7 further comprising a stationary mirror in each housing for folding the path of the optical beam.

9. An optical beam switching system for transmitting an optical beam from any one of a plurality of sources to any one of a plurality of optical receptors comprising:

a plurality of first movable mirrors mounted across a first area of free space from the sources, for directing said optical beam from at least one source to a selected one of a plurality of second movable mirrors;

the plurality of second movable mirrors mounted across a second area of free space from the plurality of first movable mirrors for directing said optical beam from at least one of the first movable mirrors to a selected one of the plurality of optical receptors;

a plurality of optical receptors mounted across a third area of free space from said plurality of second movable mirrors;

a control for transmission of the optical beam from the source to a selected optical receptor by means of controlling a controlled mirror by causing at least one of (a) one of the first movable mirrors to direct the optical beam to a selected one of the second movable mirrors and (b) the selected second movable mirror to direct the optical beam to a selected one of the optical receptors; and

radiation emitters for use in providing a feedback signal regarding the current orientation of the controlled mirror or the current location of the optical beam to the control, in either case for the purpose of adjusting the position of the relevant controlled mirror to minimize transmission loss of the optical beam to the optical receptor by fine tuning said orientation of said relevant controlled mirror based on feedback signal.

10. An optical beam switching system according to claim 9, wherein at least one of the movable mirrors is movable about at least one axis of rotation.

11. An optical beam switching system according to claim 10, wherein the movable mirror is movable about at least two axes of rotation.

12. An optical beam switching system according to claim 11, wherein the at least two axes of rotation are disposed ninety degrees relative to one another.

13. An optical beam switching system according to claim 9, wherein said radiation emitters are disposed adjacent to at least one of the movable mirrors.

14. An optical beam switching system according to claim 9, wherein said radiation emitters are disposed adjacent to at least one of the optical receptors.

15. An optical beam switching system according to any of claims 9, 13 and 14, wherein at least one optical receptor is mounted in optical receiving relationship with an associated one of said plurality of second movable mirrors.

16. An optical beam switching system according to any of claims 9, 13 and 14, wherein at least one optical receptor includes an end of an optical fiber having a longitudinal axis and the position of at least one of the plurality of second movable mirrors is adjustable to direct an optical beam along a path coincident with the longitudinal axis of one of the optical fibers.

17. An optical beam switching system according to any of claims 9, 13 and 14, further comprising a stationary mirror for folding the path of the optical beam.

18. An optical beam switching system according to any of claims 9, 13 and 14, wherein the optical switching system also comprises at least one focusing lens for focusing the optical beam.

19. An optical beam switching system according to claim 18, wherein said focusing lens is disposed between a source and one of the first movable mirrors.

20. An optical beam switching system according to claim 18, wherein said focusing lens is disposed between one of the second movable mirrors and an optical receptor.

21. An optical beam switching system according to claim 18, wherein there are at least two focusing lenses, including a first lens disposed between a source and a first movable mirror and a second lens disposed between a second movable mirror and an optical receptor.

22. An optical beam switching system according to claim 18, wherein at least one of the focusing lenses and at least one of the first movable mirrors are mounted in a housing.

23. An optical beam switching system according to claim 18, wherein at least one of the focusing lenses and at least one of the second movable mirrors are mounted in a housing.

24. An optical beam switching system for transmitting an optical beam from any one of a plurality of sources to any one of a plurality of optical receptors comprising:

a plurality of first movable mirrors mounted across a first area of free space from the sources;

at least one additional plurality of additional movable mirrors mounted across a second area of free space from the plurality of first movable mirrors;

a plurality of second movable mirrors mounted across a third area of free space from the plurality of additional movable mirrors;

the plurality of first movable mirrors being operative for directing said optical beam from at least one source to at least one of the plurality of additional movable mirrors;

the at least one additional plurality of additional movable mirrors being operative for directing said optical beam between at least one of the first movable mirrors and at least one of the second movable mirrors;

the plurality of second movable mirrors being operative for directing said optical beam from at least one of the additional movable mirrors to a selected one of the plurality of optical receptors;

the plurality of optical receptors mounted across a fourth area of free space from said plurality of second movable mirrors;

a control for transmission of the optical beam from the source to a selected optical receptor by means of controlling a controlled mirror, causing at least one of (a) one of the first movable mirrors to direct the optical beam to a selected one of the additional movable mirrors, (b) one of the additional movable mirrors to direct the optical beam to a selected second movable mirror, and (c) at least one of the second movable mirrors to direct the optical beam to a selected optical receptor; and

radiation emitters for use in providing a feedback signal regarding the current orientation of the controlled mirror or the current location of the optical beam to the control, in either case for the purpose of adjusting the position of the relevant controlled mirror to minimize transmission loss of the optical beam to the optical receptor by fine tuning said orientation of said relevant controlled mirror based on said feedback signal.

25. An optical beam switching system according to claim 24, wherein at least one of the movable mirrors is movable about at least one axis of rotation.

26. An optical beam switching system according to claim 25, wherein the movable mirror is movable about at least two axes of rotation.

27. An optical beam switching system according to claim 26, wherein the at least two axes of rotation are disposed ninety degrees relative to one another.

28. An optical beam switching system according to claim 24, wherein said radiation emitters are disposed adjacent to at least one of the movable mirrors.

29. An optical beam switching system according to claim 24, wherein said radiation emitters are disposed adjacent to at least one of the optical receptors.

30. An optical beam switching system according to any of claims 24, 28 and 29, wherein at least one optical receptor is mounted in optical receiving relationship with an associated one of said plurality of second movable mirrors.

31. An optical beam switching system according to any of claims 24, 28 and 29, wherein at least one optical receptor includes an end of an optical fiber having a longitudinal axis and the position of at least one of the plurality of second movable mirrors is adjustable to direct an optical beam along a path coincident with the longitudinal axis of one of the optical fibers.

32. An optical beam switching system according to any of claims 24, 28 and 29, further comprising a stationary mirror for folding the path of the optical beam.

33. An optical beam switching system according to any of claims 24, 28, and 29, wherein the optical switching system also comprises at least one focusing lens for focusing the optical beam.

34. An optical beam switching system according to claim 33, wherein said focusing lens is disposed between a source and one of the first movable mirrors.

35. An optical beam switching system according to claim 33, wherein said focusing lens is disposed between one of the second movable mirrors and an optical receptor.

36. An optical beam switching system according to claim 33, wherein there are at least two focusing lenses, including a first lens disposed between a source and a movable mirror and a second lens disposed between a second movable mirror and an optical receptor.

37. An optical beam switching system according to claim 33, wherein at least one of the focusing lenses and at least one of the first movable mirrors are mounted in a housing.

38. An optical beam switching system according to claim 33, wherein at least one of the focusing lenses and at least one of the second movable mirrors are mounted in a housing.

39. An optical beam switching system for transmitting an optical beam from any one of a complete set of sources of said switching system to any one of a complete set of optical receptors of said switching system comprising:

a plurality of first movable mirrors for directing said optical beam from at least one source to a selected one of a plurality of second movable mirrors, each of said first mirrors mounted across a first area of free space from an associated one of the sources such that a plurality of first optical pathways are defined between the sources and the first movable mirrors, said first movable mirrors comprising substantially a complete set of movable mirrors included in said switching system for directly interfacing with said sources free from any intervening movable mirrors and said first optical pathways comprising substantially a complete set of pathways included in said switching system between said sources and said first movable mirrors;

the plurality of second movable mirrors being operative for directing said optical beam from at least one of the first movable mirrors to a selected one of the plurality of optical receptors, each of said second movable mirrors being mounted across a second area of free space from the plurality of first movable mirrors such that a plurality of second optical pathways are defined between the first movable mirrors and the second movable mirrors, said second movable mirrors comprising substantially the full set of movable mirrors included in said switching system for directly interfacing with said receptors free from any intervening movable mirrors and said second optical pathways comprising substantially a complete set of pathways included in said switching system between the first movable mirrors and the second movable mirrors;

a plurality of optical receptors, each of said optical receptors mounted across a third area of free space from said plurality of second movable mirrors such that a plurality of third optical pathways are defined between the second movable mirrors and the receptors, the third optical pathways comprising substantially a complete set of optical pathways included in said switching system between the second movable mirrors and the receptors;

said sources, said first and second movable mirrors and said receptors being configured such that there is a three dimensional switch interface region optically interposed between said first movable mirrors and said second movable mirrors such that at least most of the second pathways for any possible connection between the first and second movable mirrors traverse said switch interface region and at least most of said first and third pathways are located wholly outside said region;

a control for transmission of the optical beam from the source to a selected optical receptor by means of controlling a controlled mirror by causing at least one of (a) one of the first movable mirrors to direct the optical beam to a selected one of the second movable mirrors and (b) the selected second movable mirror to direct the optical beam to a selected one of the optical receptors; and

a servo control element for use in providing a feedback signal regarding the current orientation of the controlled mirror or the current location of the optical beam to the control, in either case for the purpose of adjusting the position of the relevant controlled mirror to minimize transmission loss of the optical beam to the optical receptor by fine tuning said orientation of said relevant controlled mirror based on said feedback signal.

40. An optical beam switching system according to claim 39, wherein at least one of the movable mirrors is movable about at least one axis of rotation.

41. An optical beam switching system according to claim 39, wherein the movable mirror is movable about at least two axes of rotation.

42. An optical beam switching system according to claim 41, wherein the at least two axes of rotation are disposed ninety degrees relative to one another.

43. An optical beam switching system according to claim 39, wherein said servo control elements are disposed adjacent to at least one of the movable mirrors.

44. An optical beam switching system according to claim 39, wherein said servo control elements are disposed adjacent to at least one of the optical receptors.

45. An optical beam switching system according to any of claims 39, 43 and 44, wherein at least one optical receptor is mounted in optical receiving relationship with an associated one of said plurality of first movable mirrors.

46. An optical beam switching system according to any of claims 39, 43 and 44, wherein at least one optical receptor includes an end of an optical fiber having a longitudinal axis and the position of at least one of the plurality of first movable mirrors is adjustable to direct an optical beam along a path coincident with the longitudinal axis of one of the optical fibers.

47. An optical beam switching system according to any of claims 39, 43 and 44, further comprising a stationary mirror for folding the path of the optical beam.

48. An optical beam switching system according to any of claims 39, 43 and 44, wherein the optical switching system also comprises at least one focusing lens for focusing the optical beam.

49. An optical beam switching system according to claim 48, wherein said focusing lens is disposed between a source and one of the first movable mirrors.

50. An optical beam switching system according to claim 48, wherein a focusing lens is disposed between one of the second movable mirrors and the optical receptor.

51. An optical beam switching system according to claim 48, wherein there are at least two focusing lenses, including a first lens disposed between a source and a movable mirror and a second lens disposed between a second movable mirror and an optical receptor.

52. An optical beam switching system according to claim 48, wherein at least one of the focusing lenses and at least one of the first movable mirrors are mounted in a housing.

53. An optical beam switching system according to claim 48, wherein at least one of the focusing lenses and at least one of the second movable mirrors are mounted in a housing.

84. An optical beam switching system according to either of claims 39 and 69, wherein substantially all of the second pathways traverse said switch interface region and substantially all of said first and third pathways are located wholly outside said region.

100. An optical beam switching system according to either of claims 84 and 85, wherein substantially all of the second and third pathways traverse said switch interface region and substantially all of said first and fourth pathways are located wholly outside said region.

54. An optical beam switching system for transmitting an optical beam from any one of a complete set of sources of said switching system to any one of a complete set of optical receptors of said switching system comprising:

a plurality of first movable mirrors for directing said optical beam from at least one source to a selected one of a plurality of additional movable mirrors, each of said first mirrors mounted across a first area of free space from an associated one of the sources such that a plurality of first optical pathways are defined between the sources and the first movable mirrors, said first movable mirrors comprising substantially a complete set of movable mirrors included in said switching system for directly interfacing with said sources free from any intervening movable mirrors and said first optical pathways comprising substantially a complete set of pathways included in said switching system between said sources and said first movable mirrors;

the plurality of additional movable mirrors mounted across a second area of free space from the plurality of first movable mirrors such that a plurality of second optical pathways are defined between the first movable mirrors and the additional movable mirrors;

a plurality of second movable mirrors mounted across a third area of free space from the plurality of additional movable mirrors such that a plurality of third optical pathways are defined between the additional movable mirrors and the second movable mirrors, the second and third optical pathways collectively comprising substantially a complete set of optical pathways included in said switching system between the first and second movable mirrors;

the plurality of first movable mirrors being operative for directing said optical beam from at least one source to a selected one of the plurality of additional movable mirrors;

the plurality of additional movable mirrors being operative for directing said optical beam between at least one of the first movable mirrors and at least one of the second movable mirrors;

the plurality of second movable mirrors being operative for directing said optical beam from at least one of the additional movable mirrors to selected one of the plurality of optical receptors;

the plurality of optical receptors mounted across a fourth area of free space from said plurality of second movable mirrors such that a plurality of fourth optical pathways is defined between the second movable mirrors and the optical receptors, the fourth optical pathways comprising substantially a complete set of optical pathways included in said switching system between the second movable mirrors and the receptors;

said sources, said first, additional and second movable mirrors and said receptors being configured such that there is a three dimensional switch interface region optically interposed between said first movable mirrors and said second movable mirrors such that at least most of the second and third pathways for any possible connection between the first and second movable mirrors traverse said switch interface region and at least most of said first and fourth pathways are located wholly outside said region;

a control for transmission of the optical beam from the source to a selected optical receptor by means of controlling a controlled mirror by causing at least one of (a) one of the first movable mirrors to direct the optical beam to a selected one of the additional movable mirrors, (b) the selected additional movable mirrors to direct the optical beam to a selected one of the second movable mirrors, and (c) the selected second movable mirror to direct the optical beam to a selected one of the optical receptors; and

a servo control element for use in providing a feedback signal regarding the current orientation of the controlled mirror or the current location of the optical beam to the control, in either case for the purpose of adjusting the position of the relevant controlled mirror to minimize transmission loss of the optical beam to the optical receptor by fine tuning said orientation of said relevant controlled mirror based on said feedback signal.

55. An optical beam switching system according to claim 54, wherein at least one of the movable mirrors is movable about at least one axis of rotation.

56. An optical beam switching system according to claim 55, wherein the movable mirror is movable about at least two axes of rotation.

57. An optical beam switching system according to claim 56, wherein the at least two axes of rotation are disposed ninety degrees relative to one another.

58. An optical beam switching system according to claim 54, wherein said servo control elements are disposed adjacent to at least one of the movable mirrors.

59. An optical beam switching system according to claim 54, wherein said servo control elements are disposed adjacent to at least one of the optical receptors.

60. An optical beam switching system according to any of claims 54, 58 and 59, wherein at least one optical receptor is mounted in optical receiving relationship with an associated one of said plurality of second movable mirrors.

61. An optical beam switching system according to any of claims 54, 58 and 59, wherein at least one optical receptor includes an end of an optical fiber having a longitudinal axis and the position of at least one of the plurality of second movable mirrors devices is adjustable to direct an optical beam along a path coincident with the longitudinal axis of one of the optical fibers.

62. An optical beam switching system according to any of claims 54, 58 and 59, further comprising a stationary mirror for folding the path of the optical beam.

63. An optical beam switching system according to any of claims. 54, 58 and 59, wherein the optical switching system also comprises at least one focusing lens for focusing the optical beam.

64. An optical beam switching system according to claim 63, wherein said focusing lens is disposed between a source and one of the first movable mirrors.

65. An optical beam switching system according to claim 63, wherein a focusing lens is disposed between one of the second beam movable mirrors and an optical receptor.

66. An optical beam switching system according to claim 63, wherein there are at least two focusing lenses, including a first lens disposed between a source and a first movable mirror and a second lens disposed between a second movable mirror and an optical receptor.

67. An optical beam switching system according to claim 63, wherein at least one of the focusing lenses and at least one of the first movable mirrors are mounted in a housing.

68. An optical beam switching system according to claim 63, wherein at least one of the focusing lenses and at least one of the second movable mirrors are mounted in a housing.

69. An optical beam switching system for transmitting an optical beam from any one of a complete set of sources of said switching system to any one of a complete set of optical receptors of said switching system comprising:

a first plurality of first movable mirrors for directing said optical beam from at least one source to a selected one of a plurality of second movable mirrors, each of said mirrors mounted across a first area of free space from an associated one of the sources such that a plurality of first optical pathways is defined between the sources and the first movable mirrors, said first movable mirrors comprising substantially a complete set of movable mirrors included in said switching system for directly interfacing with said sources free from any intervening movable mirrors and said first optical pathways comprising substantially a complete set of pathways included in said switching system between said sources and said first movable mirrors;

the plurality of second movable mirrors being operative for directing said optical beam from at least one of the first movable mirrors to a selected one of the plurality of optical receptors, each of said second movable mirrors being mounted across a second area of free space from the plurality of first movable mirrors such that a plurality of second optical pathways is defined between the first movable mirrors and the second movable mirrors, said first movable mirrors comprising substantially a complete set of movable mirrors included in said switching system for directly interfacing with said sources free from any intervening movable mirrors and said first optical pathways comprising substantially a complete set of pathways included in said switching system between said sources and said first movable mirrors;

a plurality of optical receptors, each of said optical receptors mounted across a third area of free space from said plurality of second movable mirrors such that a plurality of third optical pathways is defined between the second movable mirrors and the receptors, the third optical pathways comprising substantially a complete set of optical pathways included in said switching system between the second movable mirrors and the receptors;

said sources, said first and said second movable mirrors and said receptors being configured such that there is a three dimensional switch interface region optically interposed between said first movable mirrors and said second movable mirrors such that at least most of the second pathways for any possible connection between the first and second movable mirrors traverse said switch interface region and at least most of said first and third pathways are located wholly outside said region;

a control for transmission of the optical beam from the source to a selected optical receptor, by means of controlling a controlled mirror by causing at least one of (a) one of the first movable mirrors to direct the optical beam to a selected one of the second movable mirrors and (b) the selected second movable mirror to direct the optical beam to a selected one of the optical receptors; and

a data gathering and transmitting element for use in providing a feedback signal regarding the current orientation of the controlled mirror or the current location of the optical beam to the control, in either case for the purpose of adjusting the position of the relevant controlled mirror to minimize transmission loss of the optical beam to the optical receptor by fine tuning said orientation of said relevant controlled mirror based on said feedback signal.

70. An optical beam switching system according to claim 69, wherein at least one of the movable mirrors is movable about at least one axis of rotation.

71. An optical beam switching system according to claim 70, wherein the movable mirror is movable about at least two axes of rotation.

72. An optical beam switching system according to claim 71, wherein the at least two axes of rotation are disposed ninety degrees relative to one another.

73. An optical beam switching system according to claim 69, wherein said data gathering and transmitting element is disposed adjacent to at least one of the movable mirrors.

74. An optical beam switching system according to claim 69, wherein said data gathering and transmitting element is disposed adjacent to at least one of the optical receptors.

75. An optical beam switching system according to any of claims 69, 73 and 74, wherein at least one optical receptor is mounted in optical receiving relationship with an associated one of said plurality of second movable mirrors.

76. An optical beam switching system according to any of claims 69, 73 and 74, wherein at least one optical receptor includes an end of an optical fiber having a longitudinal axis and the position of at least one of the plurality of second movable mirrors is adjustable to direct an optical beam along a path coincident with the longitudinal axis of one of the optical fibers.

77. An optical beam switching system according to any of claims 69, 73 and 74, further comprising a stationary mirror for folding the path of the optical beam.

78. An optical beam switching system according to any of claims 69, 73 and 74, wherein the optical switching system also comprises at least one focusing lens for focusing the optical beam.

79. An optical beam switching system according to claim 78, wherein said focusing lens is disposed between a source and one of the first movable mirrors.

80. An optical beam switching system according to claim 78, wherein said focusing lens is disposed between one of the second movable mirrors and an optical receptor.

81. An optical beam switching system according to claim 78, wherein there are at least two focusing lenses, including a first lens disposed between a source and a movable mirror and a second lens disposed between a second movable mirror and an optical receptor.

82. An optical beam switching system according to claim 78, wherein at least one of the focusing lenses and at least one of the first movable mirrors are mounted in a housing.

83. An optical beam switching system according to claim 78, wherein at least one of the focusing lenses and at least one of the second movable mirrors are mounted in a housing.

85. An optical beam switching system for transmitting an optical beam from any one of a complete set of sources of said switching system to any one of a complete set of optical receptors of said switching system comprising:

a plurality of first movable mirrors for directing said optical beam from at least one source to a selected one of a plurality of additional movable mirrors, each of said first mirrors mounted across a first area of free space from an associated one of the sources such that a plurality of first optical pathways is defined between the sources and the first movable mirrors, said first movable mirrors comprising substantially a complete set of movable mirrors included in said switching system for directly interfacing with said sources free from any intervening movable mirrors and said first optical pathways comprising substantially a complete set of pathways included in said switching system between said sources and said first movable mirrors;

the plurality of additional movable mirrors mounted across a second area of free space from the plurality of first movable mirrors such that a plurality of second optical pathways is defined between the first movable mirrors and the additional movable mirrors;

a plurality of second movable mirrors mounted across a third area of free space from the plurality of additional movable mirrors such that a plurality of third optical pathways is defined between the additional movable mirrors and the second movable mirrors, the second and third optical pathways collectively comprising substantially a complete set of optical pathways included in said switching system between the first and second movable mirrors;

the plurality of first movable mirrors being operative for directing said optical beam from at least one source to a selected one of the plurality of additional movable mirrors;

the plurality of additional movable mirrors being operative for directing said optical beam between at least one of the first movable mirrors and at least one of the second movable mirrors;

the plurality of second movable mirrors being operative for directing said optical beam from at least one of the additional movable mirrors to selected one of the plurality of optical receptors;

the plurality of optical receptors mounted across a fourth area of free space from said plurality of second movable mirrors such that a plurality of fourth optical pathways is defined between the second movable mirrors and the optical receptors, the fourth optical pathways comprising substantially a complete set of optical pathways included in said switching system between the second movable mirrors and the receptors;

said sources, said first, additional and second movable mirrors and said receptors being configured such that there is a three dimensional switch interface region optically interposed between said first movable mirrors and said second movable mirrors such that at least most of the second and third pathways for any possible connection between the first and second movable mirrors traverse said switch interface region and at least most of said first and fourth pathways are located wholly outside said region;

a control for transmission of the optical beam from the source to a selected optical receptor by means of controlling a controlled mirror, by causing at least one of (a) one of the first movable mirrors to direct the optical beam to a selected one of the additional movable mirrors, (b) the selected additional movable mirror to direct the optical beam to a selected one of the second movable mirrors, and (c) the selected second movable mirror to direct the optical beam to a selected one of the optical receptors; and

a data gathering and transmitting element for use in providing a feedback signal regarding the current orientation of the controlled mirror or the current location of the optical beam to the control, in either case for the purpose of adjusting the position of the relevant controlled mirror to minimize transmission loss of the optical beam to the optical receptor by fine tuning said orientation of said relevant controlled mirror based on said feedback signal.

86. An optical beam switching system according to claim 85, wherein the movable mirror is movable about at least one axis of rotation.

87. An optical beam switching system according to claim 86, wherein the movable mirror is movable about at least two axes of rotation.

88. An optical beam switching system according to claim 87, wherein the at least two axes of rotation are disposed ninety degrees relative to one another.

89. An optical beam switching system according to claim 85, wherein said data gathering and transmitting element is disposed adjacent to at least one of the movable mirrors.

90. An optical beam switching system according to claim 85, wherein said data gathering and transmitting element is disposed adjacent to at least one of the optical receptors.

91. An optical beam switching system according to any of claims 85, 89 and 90, wherein at least one optical receptor is mounted in optical receiving relationship with an associated one of said plurality of second movable mirrors.

92. An optical beam switching system according to any of claims 85, 89 and 90, wherein at least one optical receptor includes an end of an optical fiber having a longitudinal axis and the position at least one of the plurality of second movable mirrors is adjustable to direct an optical beam along a path coincident with the longitudinal axis of one of the optical fibers.

93. An optical beam switching system according to any of claims 85, 89 and 90, further comprising a stationary mirror for folding the path of the optical beam.

94. An optical beam switching system according to any of claims 85, 89 and 90, wherein the optical switching system also comprises at least one focusing lens for focusing the optical beam.

95. An optical beam switching system according to claim 94, wherein said focusing lens is disposed between a source and one of the first movable mirrors.

96. An optical beam switching system according to claim 94, wherein said focusing lens is disposed between one of the second movable mirrors and an optical receptor.

97. An optical beam switching system according to claim 94, wherein there are at least two focusing lenses, including a first lens disposed between a source and a first movable mirror and a second lens disposed between a second movable mirror and an optical receptor.

98. An optical beam switching system according to claim 94, wherein at least one of the focusing lenses and at least one of the first movable mirrors are mounted in a housing.

99. An optical beam switching system according to claim 94, wherein at least one of the focusing lenses and at least one of the second movable mirrors are mounted in a housing.

101. An optical beam switching system for transmitting an optical beam from any one of a plurality of sources to any one of a plurality of optical receptors comprising:

a plurality of first movable mirrors mounted across a first area of free space from the sources and across a second area of free space from the optical receptors for directing said optical beam from at least one source to a selected one of the optical receptors;

a control for transmission of the optical beam from the source to a selected optical receptor by means of controlling a controlled mirror, by causing one of the first movable mirrors to direct the optical beam to a selected optical receptor; and

radiation emitters for use in providing a feedback signal regarding the current orientation of the controlled mirror or the current location of the optical beam to the control, in either case for the purpose of adjusting the position of the relevant controlled mirror to minimize transmission loss of the optical beam to the optical receptor by fine tuning said orientation of said relevant controlled mirror based on said feedback signal.

102. An optical beam switching system according to claim 101, wherein at least one of the movable mirrors is movable about at least one axis of rotation.

103. An optical beam switching system according to claim 102, wherein the movable mirror is movable about at least two axes of rotation.

104. An optical beam switching system according to claim 103, wherein the at least two axes of rotation are disposed ninety degrees relative to one another.

105. An optical beam switching system according to claim 101, wherein said radiation emitters are disposed adjacent to at least one of the movable mirrors.

106. An optical beam switching system according to claim 101, wherein said radiation emitters are disposed adjacent to at least one of the optical receptors.

107. An optical beam switching system according to any of claims 101, 104 and 106, wherein at least one optical receptor is mounted in optical receiving relationship with an associated one of said plurality of first movable mirrors.

108. An optical beam switching system according to any of claims 101, 105 and 106, further comprising a stationary mirror for folding the path of the optical beam.

109. An optical beam switching system according to any of claims 101, 105 and 106, wherein the optical switching system also comprises at least one focusing lens for focusing the optical beam.

110. An optical beam switching system according to claim 109, wherein said focusing lens is disposed between a source and one of the first movable mirrors.

111. An optical beam switching system according to claim 109, wherein at least one of the focusing lenses and at least one of the first movable mirrors are mounted in a housing.

112. An optical beam switching system for transmitting an optical beam from any one of a complete set of sources of said switching system to any one of a complete set of optical receptors of said switching system comprising:

a plurality of first movable mirrors for directing said optical beam from at least one source to a selected one of the optical receptors, said plurality of first movable mirrors mounted across a first area of free space from the sources such that a plurality of first optical pathways are defined between the sources and the first movable mirrors, said first movable mirrors comprising substantially a complete set of movable mirrors included in said switching system for directly interfacing with said sources free from any intervening movable mirrors and said first optical pathways comprising substantially a complete set of pathways included in said switching system between said sources and said first movable mirrors, said plurality of first movable mirrors further mounted across a second area of free space from the receptors such that a plurality of second optical pathways are defined between the first movable mirrors and the receptors, the second optical pathways comprising substantially a complete set of pathways included in said switching system between the first movable mirrors and the receptors;

said sources, first movable mirrors and receptors being configured such that there is a first three dimensional region that is traversed by at least most of said second pathways and at least most of said first pathways are located wholly outside said first region;

a control for transmission of the optical beam from the source to a selected optical receptor by means of controlling a controlled mirror, by causing one of the first movable mirrors to direct the optical beam to a selected optical receptor; and

a servo control element for use in providing a feedback signal regarding the current orientation of the controlled mirror or the current location of the optical beam to the control, in either case for the purpose of adjusting the position of the relevant controlled mirror to minimize transmission loss of the optical beam to the optical receptor by fine tuning said orientation of said relevant controlled mirror based on said feedback signal.

113. An optical beam switching system according to claim 112, wherein at least one of the movable mirrors is movable about at least one axis of rotation.

114. An optical beam switching system according to claim 113, wherein the movable mirror is movable about at least two axes of rotation.

115. An optical beam switching system according to claim 114, wherein the at least two axes of rotation are disposed ninety degrees relative to one another.

116. An optical beam switching system according to claim 112, wherein said servo control elements are disposed adjacent to at least one of the movable mirrors.

117. An optical beam switching system according to claim 112, wherein said servo control elements are disposed adjacent to at least one of the optical receptors.

118. An optical beam switching system according to any of claims 112, 116 and 117, wherein at least one optical receptor is mounted in optical receiving relationship with an associated one of said plurality of first movable mirrors.

119. An optical beam switching system according to any of claims 112, 116 and 117, further comprising a stationary mirror for folding the path of the optical beam.

120. An optical beam switching system according to any of claims 112, 116 and 117, wherein the optical switching system also comprises at least one focusing lens for focusing the optical beam.

121. An optical beam switching system according to claim 120, wherein said focusing lens is disposed between a source and one of the first movable mirrors.

122. An optical beam switching system according to claim 120, wherein at least one of the focusing lenses and at least one of the first movable mirrors are mounted in a housing.

134. An optical beam switching system according to either of claims 112 and 123, wherein substantially all of said second pathways traverse said first region and substantially all of said first pathways are located wholly outside said first region.

123. An optical beam switching system for transmitting an optical beam from any one of a complete set of sources of said switching system to any one of a complete set of optical receptors of said switching system comprising:

a plurality of first movable mirrors mounted across a first area of free space from the sources and across a second area of free space from the optical receptors, for directing said optical beam from at least one source to a selected one of the optical receptors, said plurality of first movable mirrors mounted across a first area of free space from the sources such that a plurality of first optical pathways are defined between the sources and the first movable mirrors, said first movable mirrors comprising substantially a complete set of movable mirrors included in said switching system for directly interfacing with said sources free from any intervening movable mirrors and said first optical pathways comprising substantially a complete set of pathways included in said switching system between said sources and said first movable mirrors, said plurality of first movable mirrors further mounted across a second area of free space from the receptors such that a plurality of second optical pathways are defined between the first movable mirrors and the receptors, the second optical pathways comprising substantially a complete set of pathways included in said switching system between the first movable mirrors and the receptors;

said sources, first movable mirrors and receptors being configured such that there is a first three dimensional region that is traversed by at least most of said second pathways and at least most of said first pathways are located wholly outside said first region;

a control for transmission of the optical beam from the source to a selected optical receptor by means of controlling a controlled mirror, by causing one of the first movable mirrors to direct the optical beam to a selected optical receptor; and

a data gathering and transmitting element for use in providing a feedback signal regarding the current orientation of the controlled mirror or the current location of the optical beam to the control, in either case for the purpose of adjusting the position of the relevant controlled mirror to minimize transmission loss of the optical beam to the optical receptor by fine tuning said orientation of said relevant controlled mirror based on said feedback signal.

124. An optical beam switching system according to claim 123, wherein at least one of the movable mirrors is movable about at least one axis of rotation.

125. An optical beam switching system according to claim 124, wherein the movable mirror is movable about at least two axes of rotation.

126. An optical beam switching system according to claim 125, wherein the at least two axes of rotation are disposed ninety degrees relative to one another.

127. An optical beam switching system according to claim 123, wherein said data gathering and transmitting element is disposed adjacent to at least one of the movable mirrors.

128. An optical beam switching system according to claim 123, wherein said data gathering and transmitting element is disposed adjacent to at least one of the optical receptors.

129. An optical beam switching system according to any of claims 123, 127 and 128, wherein at least one optical receptor is mounted in optical receiving relationship with an associated one of said plurality of first movable mirrors.

130. An optical beam switching system according to any of claims 123, 127 and 128, further comprising a stationary mirror for folding the path of the optical beam.

131. An optical beam switching system according to any of claims 123, 127 and 128, wherein the optical switching system also comprises at least one focusing lens for focusing the optical beam.

132. An optical beam switching system according to claim 131, wherein said focusing lens is disposed between a source and one of the first movable mirrors.

133. An optical beam switching system according to claim 131, wherein at least one of the focusing lenses and at least one of the first movable mirrors are mounted in a housing.