Leading brands in pure optical switches include Agiltron, Viavi Solutions, DiCon Fiberoptics, Thorlabs, Lumentum, II-VI Incorporated, Cisco, and Lightmatter.

Key Optical Switch Manufacturers

Agiltron – A registered trademark of Optowares Corporation, Agiltron specializes in high-performance optical switches suitable for telecommunications, data centers, and photonics research . Viavi Solutions – Based in Arizona, USA, Viavi produces optical fiber inspection tools, network testing equipment, and optical switches for telecom and IT industries . DiCon Fiberoptics – Founded in 1986 in California, DiCon offers a broad portfolio including optical switches, fiber optic cables, transceivers, and passive components for medical, aerospace, and IT applications . Thorlabs – Offers MEMS-based optical switches, optical switch kits, acousto-optic Q-switches, and high-speed switching instruments for fiber-optic circuits and laser applications . Lumentum – Develops advanced optical switch technologies, including silicon photonic switches, for high-speed data transmission and telecom networks . II-VI Incorporated (formerly Finisar) – Provides a wide range of optical switches and components for data centers, long-haul networks, and high-speed optical communications . Cisco – Offers optical switching solutions integrated with networking infrastructure, focusing on reliability and scalability for enterprise and carrier networks . Lightmatter – A startup specializing in silicon photonic switches, offering high bandwidth and low power consumption solutions for next-generation optical networks .

Additional Considerations

Optical switches vary by switching mechanism: mechanical, MEMS, bending/thermal, acousto-optic, and electro-optic. MEMS and silicon photonic switches are increasingly popular for high-speed, multi-channel applications due to compact size and low power consumption . When selecting a brand, consider application requirements, switching speed, insertion loss, wavelength range, and integration capabilities. These brands represent a mix of established industry leaders and innovative startups, providing options for both traditional telecom networks and emerging photonics applications.