Switch for switching optical signals

A switch for switching optical signals contains a substrate (10) having a waveguide (12) which is limited by the surface (14) of the substrate (10) and has a refractive index, increased with respect to the substrate, and a refractive body (16) which is held at a slight distance from the waveguide (12) and whose refractive index is greater than or equal to the refractive index of the waveguide (12) and which can be placed with one surface (18) against the surface (14), limiting the waveguide (12), of the substrate (10) when the switch is operated. The substrate (10) is a first glass plate having a flat surface (14) limiting the waveguide (12). The refractive body (16) is a second glass plate having a flat surface (18) facing the substrate (10). The second glass plate (16) is held with its flat surface (18) at such a distance from the said flat surface (14) of the substrate (10) that the second glass plate (16) can, as a result of a pressure force, be bent through in a contact region (22) until light-connecting contact to the waveguide (12).