The authors recent Nature Photonics article titled Compact Nano-Mechanical Plasmonic Phase Modulators [1] is reviewed which reports a new phase modulation principle with experimental demonstration of a 23 {mu}m long non-resonant modulator having 1.5 {pi} rad range with 1.7 dB excess loss at 780 nm. Analysis showed that by decreasing all dimensions, a low loss, ultra-compact {pi} rad phase modulator is possible. Application of this type of nano-mechanical modulator in a miniature 2 x 2 switch is suggested and an optical design numerically validated. The footprint of the switch is 0.5 {mu}m x 2.5 {mu}m.
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