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This paper reports on a new optical 2\;\times\;2 switch for single-mode fibers. The switching principle is based on a vertical micro-mirror which can be moved into the optical path to switch light between two pairs of fibers. The micromirror switch is designed for by-pass applications. When power is turned off the mirror springs back into its rest position and brings the switch into its bar state. This operation is very reliable, since the moving parts do not get into contact. Fabrication is based on the silicon micromachining technology, which allows to integrate the switching mirror, its electrostatic actuator and the alignment grooves for the fibers on the same chip. The mechanical switching principle brings with it a number of optical advantages such as a high crosstalk attenuation above 50 dB and wavelength and polarization insensitivity. At a wavelength of 1310 nm a minimum insertion loss of 0.6 dB was measured in the bar …