A number of micromachined optomechanical switching cells and matrix switches including such switching cells are disclosed herein. One optomechanical switching cell of the present invention includes a parallel plate actuator positioned on a substrate. A mirror coupled to the actuator is disposed to selectively redirect an incident optical beam. The present invention also contemplates an optomechanical matrix switch including a substrate and a plurality of optomechanical switching cells coupled thereto. The matrix switch further includes an arrangement for monitoring the optical power incident upon, and output by, the matrix switch.