Using micro-mirrors for optical path switching    What kind of technology is it? In a MEMS optical switch, a micro-mirror is used to reflect a light beam. The direction in which the light beam is reflected can be changed by rotating the mirror to different angles, allowing the input light to be connected to any output port. This type of optical switch has been realized for the first time through the fusion of various techniques such as micro-machining techniques for fabricating the mirror, optical design techniques for achieving low-loss optical connections, and control techniques for positioning the mirror accurately.        What are the features? Can switch optical signals without converting them into electrical signals. Allows compact low-loss switches to be formed on any scale. Switching can be performed in 10-30 msec.      What can it do? Since this device can switch large numbers of optical signals simultaneously, it can be used as a trunk switch for handling large amounts of traffic, and as a switch in large urban communication networks.