An optical switch having an input waveguide and two output waveguides separated by and disposed around a trench. The input waveguide and a first output waveguide have respective optical paths defined by their respective cores which are coaxial with each other. Those waveguides are also separated by a trench having a medium provided therein that has a refractive index different from that of the waveguides. The input waveguide and a second output waveguide are arranged generally on the same side of the trench such that an optical signal passing from the input waveguide to the second output waveguide does not completely traverse the trench. Each of the waveguides has a facet at least on of the facets is angled relative to the optical path of the respective waveguide