The invention is to offer an optical device which is capable of reducing
the insertion loss comparing with a conventional one. The optical switch
comprises a fiber collimator for input an light beam, a fiber collimator
for output the light beam to the outside, an optical path switching
element, an optical path switching element as well as a slider arranged
in the optical paths between the fiber collimator and the fiber
collimator to change the light path and the optical characteristics, a
solenoid actuator for moving the slider, a guide mechanism for guiding
the slider as the slider moves, a magnet for generating a magnetic field,
the magnet being arranged at a position where the slider is pressed
against the guide mechanism by means of a magnetic force of a magnetic
field generated by the magnet.