A micro-electro-mechanical (MEMS) mirror device for use in an optical
switch is disclosed. A "piano"-style MEMs device includes an elongated
platform pivotally mounted proximate the middle thereof by a torsional
hinge. The middle portion of the platform and the torsional hinge have a
combined width less than the width of the rest of the platform, whereby
several of these "piano" MEMs devices can be positioned adjacent each
other pivotally mounted about the same axis with only a relatively small
air gap therebetween. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention
the spacing between electrodes is increased without effecting the fill
factor of the mirrors by interlacing two sets of tilting platforms,
whereby the reflecting portions of both sets of tilting platforms are
adjacent one another, while the non-reflecting portions of adjacent
platforms are remote from each other.