Abstract
A new mechanical fiber-optic switch and an optical fiber positioning structure for the switch were created in developing a lowloss, easy-to-assemble mechanical-optical switch. Experiments on the performance of trial productions were conducted: a new optical fiber positioning structure was effective for decreasing insertion loss in optical switches. The insertion loss in a prototype switch was 0.4 dB on the average, and the return loss was greater than 45 dB. A low and uniform insertion loss was achieved by decreasing the twisting action of optical fibers. Variation in the insertion loss was less than 0.1 dB during a 10,000,000 cycle switching test.