Described is a device for directing an optical signal from a first optical
fiber (101, 102, . . . ) along one of a plurality of selectable switching
paths each terminating in a corresponding one of a plurality of second
optical fibers (401, 402, . . . ) via an optical element (201, 202, . . .
), the optical element (201, 202, . . . ) being moveable by a controllable
actuator (60) from a first to a second position to change the switching
path of incident optical signal. The optical element (201, 202, . . . ) is
slideably mounted in parallel to a first mounting plate (10) comprising a
conduit (11) through which the optical signals from the first optical
fiber (101, 102, . . . ) can be directed by the optical element (201, 202,
. . . ) along the selected one of the switching paths to one of a
plurality of conduits (21) in a second mounting plate (20) parallel to the
first mounting plate (10), and further to the corresponding one of second
optical fibers (401, 402, . . . ).
