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Abstract

A switching array comprising a plurality of total internal reflection (TIR) switches can be used to direct optical signals from any one of a plurality of input optical fibers to any one of a plurality of output optical fibers. Free space regions exist between the input optical fibers, the switches, and the output optical fibers. Accordingly, the light from an input optical fiber to an output optical fiber travels through the TIR switch array largely, if not entirely, in free space mode. To provide efficient coupling of light from the input optical fibers to the plurality of switches and ultimately to the output optical fibers, collimators and other coupling elements are employed. Preferably, the collimators have a Rayleigh range longer than the path length that the light will travel from the respective input optical fiber to the respective output optical fiber.

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