OPTICAL SWITCH

摘要

A small size and large capacity optical switch having a simple switching control structure. A fiber array unit (8) comprises a base (1) in which a plurality of fiber laying grooves (4) are formed and a plurality of fixing side optical fibers (5) which are laid and arranged in the grooves (4). Such fiber array units (8) are stacked with certain spacings. Master fibers (10) are so provided as to correspond to the fiber array units (8) and supported and fixed by a common master fiber supporter (12). The master fiber supporter (12) can be moved only in the direction of the arrangement of the fiber laying grooves (4) under the control of a fiber movement control means (13). The master fibers (10) are transferred to the position directly above the fiber laying grooves (4) in which the fixing side optical fibers (5) to be connected to the master fibers (10) are laid and then the master fibers (10) are pressed against the fiber laying grooves (4), held, and connected to the fixing side optical fibers (5) to be connected.