In some embodiments, a 1.times.N optical switch includes: a plurality of
co-planar, parallel output optical fiber collimators oriented to receive
light substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal direction; and a
plurality of switching units each corresponding to an output collimator.
Each switching unit includes a rhomboid switching prism movable between a
first position and a second position, and a fixed right-angle reflector
facing the output collimator. When the switching prism is in the first
position, the switching prism receives a longitudinal light beam and
directs the light beam to the reflector for transmission to the output
collimator. When the switching prism is in the second position, the
switching prism is situated out of a path of the light beam. The
described configurations may be optically reversed to yield N.times.1
switches.