1.   Among them could be the development of optical switches that could enormously improve the performance of computers.

2.   And the makers of MEMS optical switches risk confusing customers with their competing designs.

3.   Cien makes optical switches.

4.   Corning, based in Corning, N.Y., is also developing optical switches.

5.   Its optical switches use silicon chips tiled with micro-mirrors, each one small enough to fit on the head of a pin.

6.   Recently, an Israeli company, Trellis Photonics, began work on an optical switch based on crystals.

7.   Regardless of which approach wins in the battle for best optical switch, consumers may be reaping the benefits in the next few years, analysts say.

8.   Such channels could provide a path for light to follow in an optical computer chip or could function as optical switches.

9.   Sycamore developed a powerful optical switch that allows phone carriers to offer the latest fiber-optic technology to corporate customers quickly and less expensively.

10.   The advent of optical switches could also clear vast amounts of space in the equipment closets at traditional phone companies.