The invention includes an apparatus for receiving an optical signal from
an optical input means and directing the optical signal to one of a
plurality of optical output means. The apparatus includes a solid signal
propagating material having a refractive index greater than the
refractive index of air. The solid signal propagating material includes a
first transparent surface optically cooperating with the optical input
and output means, a second transparent surface optically cooperating with
a first light directing mechanism, and a reflective surface optically
cooperating with the first light directing mechanism. A first reflecting
component of the light directing mechanism directs a received optical
signal to a second reflecting component of the light directing mechanism
via the reflective surface of the signal propagating material. The second
reflecting component of the light directing mechanism directs the
respective incident optical signal to the selected one of the plurality
of optical output means.