Optical switch.

摘要

1. A M inlet by N outlet optical switch of the type comprising elementary optical switching cells each having one inlet and two outlets, the switch being characterized in that it comprises : M x N elementary optical switching cells (Cij ) disposed in a common plane (1) in the form of a matrix of M lines by N cold respectively defining a first direction and a second direction ; and M x N first return cells (2), and M x N second return cells (Rij ) respectively suitable for returning a beam leaving an elementary optical switching cell towards the inlet of an adjacent elementary optical switching cell situated respectively in a first or in a second direction depending on whether a first or a second outlet of said elementary optical switching cell has been selected.