Optical switching apparatus

This invention relates generally to a component for optical switching systems and more particularly to a component for the switching of optical signals directly, without first converting the optical signals to electronic signals. An optical matrix switch station () is shown mounting a plurality of optical switch units (), each of which includes a mirror (), moveable in two axes, for purpose of switching optical beams from one optical fiber to another. A mirror assembly () includes a single body of silicon comprising a frame portion (), gimbals (), mirror portion (), and related hinges (). Magnets () and air coils () are utilized to position the central mirror surface () to a selected orientation. The moveable mirror and associated magnets along with control LED's () are hermetically packaged in a header () and mounted with the air coils on mounting bracket () to form a micromirror assembly package () mounted in each optical switch unit.