Optical Switches

  • All Types: MEMS, Magneto-Optic, Electro-Optic, Optomechanical
  • All Wavelengths (200nm to 3000nm)
  • All Fiber Types (3 μm to 900 μm core, double cladding, SM, MM, PM)
  • Ultra-Low Loss  (0.2dB)
  • Ultra-High-Speed (10ns rise/fall, MHz)
  • High Optical Power (up to 50W CW)
  • Wide Operation Temperature (-40Co to 95Co)
  • Smallest Size
  • Vacuum Compatible
  • Vibration Insensitive
  • Ultra-High Reliability (space, mill-spec qualifiable)
  • Competitive Price
  • Turn-Key Modules and Customer Solutions
  • Large Core (up to 1mm ф)

We produce optic switches for all application scenarios in volume, leading the market in performance and cost. Perfected over 20 years, we offer the fastest, the smallest, the most reliable, and the lowest loss switches in the industry. Our switches have some state-of-the-art attributes: nearly lossless, 300-2000nm ultra-broadband, single-mode core as small as 3 μm and multimode core as large as 1mm, 10ns fast switching, 20W high power handling, larger than 75dB isolation, over 26dB polarization extinction, vibration insensitive, vacuum compatible. Many of them have passed space/aerospace qualifications by customers. Moreover, we provide custom solutions with in-house micro-assembly and MEMS wafer fabrication. The table at the end guides optic switch selection according to the application. All switches can be delivered in PM fibers and high-power versions with cost-effective driving electronics and user-friendly GUI control software, as well as in OEM ready-to-use PCB module or a turn-key net-ready box. Photonwares also designs/produces integrated modules/systems integrated with customized functions.

Fiber Optical Switch Selection Guide by Applications
Test/Measurement (high repeatability, low loss, broadband) Fiber-Fiber™ MEMS
Spectroscopy (large core fiber, 300 to 3000 nm, 1xN) Fiber-Fiber™  
Protection/Bypass (dual, quad, 850 to 1600 nm)
 LightBend™ Fiber-Fiber™
Fast Switch (5 µs latching, 1310 and 1550nm)
 CrystaLatch™ NanoSpeed™
Ultra-Fast (10ns, 550 to 2500nm)
 NanoSpeed™  
Space Qualified
 CrystaLatch™ NanoSpeed™
Mini Size (world smallest 1×2, 2×2) MEMS
Matrix NxM (up to 32×32, latching) MEMS CrystaLatch™
Ultra-Low Loss (<0.2dB, 300 to 2500nm)
 Fiber-Fiber™
Ultra-Broad Wavelength (0.3 ~ 3μm, 0.2dB loss)
 Fiber-Fiber™
Large Core Fiber  up to 1mm Φ
 Fiber-Fiber™
Short Wavelengths (0.3 to 700nm) Fiber-Fiber™
Low Coherent Lights (non-gap) Fiber-Fiber™
Polarization Switch (fast, reliable)
 NanoSpeed™ CrystaLatch™
Non-Mechanical
 NanoSpeed™ CrystaLatch™
MEMS Technology
 Fiber-Fiber™ MEMS
Magneto-Optic Technology
 CrystaLatch™
Electro-Optic Technology
 NanoSpeed™
High Attenuation >60dB Fiber-Fiber™ MEMS