Optical switches and routers and optical filters

Abstract

Our invention relates generally to an optical switch ( 31 ) and an optical router ( 10 ) to rapidly route signals from particular channels ( 22, 24 ) within an optical band by using optical switches ( 20 ) which utilize a controlled whispering gallery mode (WGM) resonance of dielectric microspheres (S 1, S 2, S 3 ) to optically switch signals. Another invention relates to optical filters which use a WGM resonate structure ( 150 ) to isolate and switch specific optical signals between waveguides (F 1, F 2 ). In other inventions, the filter ( 100 ) is switched “on/off” by signal loss within a WGM resonate structure ( 150 ) which disrupts the WGM resonance; the filter ( 100 ) isolates and switches a specific wavelength signal from among a group of signals of different wavelengths; and is switched “off” by adjusting the index of refraction of the resonate structure to become substantially similar to the index of refraction of the surrounding medium.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method of optically switching a signal the method comprising: 
 placing a dielectric microsphere capable of WGM resonance for a specific wavelength of light, with a voltage alterable steady state index of refraction “n” substantially similar to the index of refraction of a first and a second optical fiber, in close proximity with the unclad or thinly clad regions of the first and second optical fibers;    placing a pair of electrodes on either side of the dielectric microsphere;    passing voltage, adequate to alter the steady state index of refraction “n” of the dielectric microsphere, through the pair of electrodes;    providing the specific wavelength of light, the dielectric microsphere resonates for, as a signal within the first optical fiber;    terminating the voltage whereby the index of refraction “n” of the dielectric microsphere returns to its steady state;    switching the signal from the first optical fiber across the dielectric microsphere to the second optical fiber; and,    reapplying the voltage.    
     
     
         2 . A method of optically switching a signal the method comprising: 
 placing a dielectric microsphere capable of WGM resonance for a specific wavelength of light, with a voltage alterable steady state index of refraction “n” substantially dissimilar to the index of refraction of a first and a second optical fiber, in close proximity with the unclad or thinly clad regions of the first and second optical fibers;    placing a pair of electrodes on either side of the dielectric microsphere;    providing the specific wavelength of light the dielectric microsphere resonates for, as a signal within the first optical fiber;    passing voltage adequate to alter the steady state index of refraction “n” of the dielectric microsphere, to become substantially similar to the index of refraction of the optical fibers, through the pair of electrodes;    switching the signal from the first optical fiber across the dielectric microsphere to the second optical fiber; and,    terminating the voltage whereby the index of refraction “n” of the dielectric microsphere returns to its steady state.    
     
     
         3 . A method of optical routing signals the method comprising: 
 providing a first optical fiber with an unclad or thinly clad region;    providing a second optical fiber with an unclad or thinly clad region;    placing two or more dielectric microspheres each capable of WGM resonance for a specific wavelength of light and each with a voltage alterable steady state index of refraction “n” substantially similar to the index of refraction of the optical fibers, in close proximity with the unclad or thinly clad regions of the first and second optical fibers;    placing a pair of electrodes on either side of each dielectric microsphere;    passing voltage adequate to alter the steady state index of refraction “n” of each dielectric microsphere through the pair of electrodes;    providing a plurality of signals, each of a different wavelength, within an optical band in the first optical fiber;    selecting a signal to switch;    selecting the dielectric microsphere which resonates in WGM for the selected signal and terminating the voltage applied thereto, whereby the index of refraction “n” of the selected dielectric microsphere returns to its steady state;    switching the selected signal in the first optical fiber to the second optical fiber by the WGM resonance of the selected dielectric microsphere; and,    reapplying the voltage to the selected dielectric microsphere.    
     
     
         4 . A method of optical routing signals the method comprising: 
 providing a first optical fiber with an unclad or thinly clad region;    providing a second optical fiber with an unclad or thinly clad region;    placing two or more dielectric microspheres each capable of WGM resonance for a specific wavelength of light and each with a voltage alterable steady state index of refraction “n” dissimilar to the index of refraction of the optical fibers, in close proximity with the unclad or thinly clad regions of the first and second optical fibers;    placing a pair of electrodes on either side of each dielectric microsphere;    providing a plurality of signals, each of a different wavelength, within an optical band in the first optical fiber;    selecting a signal to switch;    selecting the dielectric microsphere which resonates in WGM for the selected signal and applying voltage to it, across the pair of electrodes, whereby the steady state index of refraction “n” of the selected dielectric microsphere is altered to become substantially similar to the index of refraction of the optical fibers;    switching the selected signal in the first optical fiber to the second optical fiber by the WGM resonance of the selected dielectric microsphere; and,    terminating the voltage applied to the selected dielectric microsphere.    
     
     
         5 . An optical switch comprising: 
 a first optical fiber with an unclad or thinly clad region;    a second optical fiber with an unclad or thinly clad region;    a dielectric microsphere capable of WGM resonance for a specific wavelength of light with a voltage alterable steady state index of refraction “n” substantially similar to the index of refraction of the optical fibers, in a fixed proximity to the unclad or thinly clad regions of the first and second optical fibers; and    a pair of electrodes on either side of the dielectric microsphere.    
     
     
         6 . An optical switch comprising: 
 a first optical fiber with an unclad or thinly clad region;    a second optical fiber with an unclad or thinly clad region;    a dielectric microsphere capable of WGM resonance for a specific wavelength of light with a voltage alterable steady state index of refraction “n” dissimilar to the index of refraction of the optical fibers, in a fixed proximity to the unclad or thinly clad regions of the first and second optical fibers; and    a pair of electrodes on either side of the dielectric microsphere.    
     
     
         7 . An optical router comprising: 
 a first optical fiber with an unclad or thinly clad region;    a second optical fiber with an unclad or thinly clad region;    a plurality of optical switches each comprising; 
 a dielectric microsphere capable of WGM resonance for a specific wavelength of light with a voltage alterable steady state index of refraction “n” dissimilar to the index of refraction of the optical fibers, in a fixed proximity to the unclad or thinly clad regions of the first and second optical fibers; and,  
 a pair of electrodes on either side of the dielectric microsphere.  
   
     
     
         8 . An optical router comprising: 
 a first optical fiber with an unclad or thinly clad region;    a second optical fiber with an unclad or thinly clad region;    a plurality of optical switches each comprising; 
 a dielectric microsphere capable of WGM resonance for a specific wavelength of light with a voltage alterable steady state index of refraction “n” substantially similar to the index of refraction of the optical fibers, in a fixed proximity to the unclad or thinly clad regions of the first and second optical fibers; and,  
 a pair of electrodes on either side of the dielectric microsphere.  
   
     
     
         9 . A method of optically switching a signal the method comprising: 
 placing a dielectric microsphere capable of WGM resonance for a specific wavelength of light, with a light alterable steady state index of refraction “n” substantially similar to the index of refraction of a first and second optical fiber, in close proximity with the unclad or thinly clad regions of the first and second optical fibers;    directing a sufficiently intense beam of light at the microsphere, whereby its steady state index of refraction “n” is altered;    providing the specific wavelength of light the dielectric microsphere resonates for, as a signal within the first optical fiber;    terminating the sufficiently intense beam of light whereby the index of refraction “n” of the dielectric microsphere returns to its steady state;    switching the signal from the first optical fiber across the dielectric microsphere to the second optical fiber; and,    reapplying the sufficiently intense beam of light.    
     
     
         10 . A method of optically switching a signal the method comprising: 
 placing a dielectric microsphere capable of WGM resonance for a specific wavelength of light, with a light alterable steady state index of refraction “n” dissimilar to the index of refraction of a first and second optical fiber, in close proximity with the unclad or thinly clad regions of the first and second optical fibers;    providing the specific wavelength of light the dielectric microsphere resonates for, as a signal within the first optical fiber;    directing a sufficiently intense beam of light at the microsphere whereby the index of refraction “n” of the dielectric microsphere becomes substantially similar to the index of refraction of the optical fibers;    switching the signal from the first optical fiber across the dielectric microsphere to the second optical fiber; and,    terminating the intense beam of light.    
     
     
         11 . A method of optical routing signal the method comprising: 
 providing a first optical fiber with an unclad or thinly clad region;    providing a second optical fiber-with an unclad or thinly clad region;    placing two or more dielectric microsphere each capable of WGM resonance for a specific wavelength of light and each with a light alterable steady state index of refraction “n” substantially similar to the index of refraction of the optical fibers, in close proximity with the unclad or thinly clad regions of the first and second optical fibers;    directing a sufficiently intense beam of light at each dielectric microsphere, whereby the steady state index of refraction “n” is altered;    providing a plurality of signals, each of a different wavelength, within an optical band in the first optical fiber;    selecting a signal to switch;    selecting the dielectric microsphere and terminating the sufficiently intense beam of light applied thereto, whereby the index of refraction “n” of the dielectric microsphere returns to its steady state;    switching the selected signal in the first optical fiber to the second optical fiber by the WGM resonance of the selected dielectric microsphere; and,    reapplying the sufficiently intense beam of light to the selected dielectric microsphere.    
     
     
         12 . A method of optical routing signal the method comprising: 
 providing a first optical fiber with an unclad or thinly clad region;    providing a second optical fiber with an unclad or thinly clad region;    placing two or more dielectric microspheres each capable of WGM resonance for a specific wavelength of light and each with a light alterable steady state index of refraction “n” dissimilar to the index of refraction of the optical fibers, in close proximity with the unclad or thinly clad regions of the first and second optical fibers;    providing a plurality of signals, each of-a different wavelength, within an optical band in the first optical fiber;    selecting a signal to switch;    selecting the dielectric microsphere and directing a sufficiently intense beam of light applied thereto, whereby the index of refraction “n” of the dielectric microsphere becomes substantially similar to the index of refraction of the optical fibers;    switching the selected signal in the first optical fiber to the second optical fiber by the WGM resonance of the selected dielectric microsphere; and,    terminating the sufficiently intense beam of light directed at the selected dielectric microsphere.    
     
     
         13 . An optical switch comprising: 
 a first optical fiber with an unclad or thinly clad region;    a second optical fiber with an unclad or thinly clad region;    a dielectric microsphere capable of WGM resonance for a specific wavelength of light with a light alterable steady state index of refraction “n” substantially similar to the index of refraction of the optical fibers, in a fixed proximity to the unclad or thinly clad regions of the first and second optical fibers;    an illuminating fiber with a first end directed at the dielectric microsphere and a second end adapted to receive a laser beam; and,    a Mach-Zender interferometer placed between the first and second end of the illuminating fiber.    
     
     
         14 . An optical switch comprising: 
 a first optical fiber with an unclad or thinly clad region;    a second optical fiber with an unclad or thinly clad region;    a dielectric microsphere capable of WGM resonance for a specific wavelength of light with a light alterable steady state index of refraction “n” substantially dissimilar to the index of refraction of the optical fibers, in a fixed proximity to the unclad or thinly clad regions of the first and second optical fibers;    an illuminating fiber with a first end directed at the dielectric microsphere and a second end adapted to receive a laser beam;    a Mach-Zender interferometer placed between the first and second end of the illuminating fiber.    
     
     
         15 . An optical router comprising: 
 a first optical fiber with an unclad or thinly clad region;    a second optical fiber with an unclad or thinly clad region;    a plurality of optical switches each comprising; 
 a dielectric microsphere capable of WGM resonance for a specific wavelength of light with a light alterable steady state index of refraction “n” substantially similar to the index of refraction of the optical fibers, in a fixed proximity to the unclad or thinly clad regions of the first and second optical fibers;  
 an illuminating fiber with a first end directed at the dielectric microsphere and a second end adapted to receive a laser beam;  
 a Mach-Zender interferometer placed between the first and second end of the illuminating fiber.  
   
     
     
         16 . An optical router comprising: 
 a first optical fiber with an unclad or thinly clad region;    a second optical fiber with an unclad or thinly clad region;    a plurality of optical switches each comprising; 
 a dielectric microsphere capable of WGM resonance for a specific wavelength of light with a light alterable steady state index of refraction “n” substantially dissimilar to the index of refraction of the optical fibers, in a fixed proximity to the unclad or thinly clad regions of the first and second optical fibers;  
 an illuminating fiber with a first end directed at the dielectric microsphere and a second end adapted to receive a laser beam;  
 a Mach-Zender interferometer placed between the first and second end of the illuminating fiber.  
   
     
     
         17 . A method of optically switching a signal the method comprising: 
 providing a first optical fiber with an unclad or thinly clad region;    providing a second optical fiber with an unclad or thinly clad region;    containing a dielectric microsphere capable of WGM resonance for a specific wavelength of light with a steady state index of refraction “n” substantially similar to the index of refraction of the optical fibers, within an optical trap;    providing the specific wavelength of light as a signal within the first optical fiber; moving the dielectric microsphere contained within the optical trap in close proximity with an unclad or thinly clad region of the optical fibers;    switching the signal from the first optical fiber across the dielectric microsphere to the second optical fiber; and,    moving the dielectric microsphere contained within the optical trap out of close proximity with the unclad or thinly clad region optical fibers.    
     
     
         18 . A method of optically routing a signal the method comprising: 
 providing a first optical fiber with an unclad or thinly clad region;    providing a second optical fiber with an unclad or thinly clad region;    containing two or more dielectric microspheres, each capable of WGM resonance for a specific wavelength of light and each with a steady state index of refraction “n” substantially similar to the index of refraction of the optical fibers, each within an optical trap;    providing a plurality of signals, each of a different wavelength, within a channel in the first optical fiber;    selecting a signal to switch;    moving a dielectric microsphere, which can resonate in WGM for the selected signal, contained within an optical trap into close proximity with the unclad or thinly clad region of the optical fibers; and    switching the signal via WGM across the dielectric microsphere to the second optical fiber; and,    moving the selected dielectric microsphere out of close proximity with the unclad or thinly clad region of the optical fibers.    
     
     
         19 . An optical switch comprising: 
 a first optical fiber with an unclad or thinly clad region;    a second optical fiber with an unclad or thinly clad region;    an optical trap; and    a dielectric microsphere capable of WGM resonance for a specific wavelength of light contained within the optical trap which has a steady state index of refraction “n” substantially similar to the index of refraction of the optical fibers.    
     
     
         20 . An optical router comprising: 
 a first optical fiber with an unclad or thinly clad region;    a second optical fiber with an unclad or thinly clad region;    a plurality of optical traps; and    a plurality of dielectric microspheres each capable of WGM resonance for a specific wavelength of light and each contained within an optical trap which has a steady state index of refraction “n” substantially similar to the index of refraction of the optical fibers.    
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the signal is within the wavelengths of an optical band within an optical network.  
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the brief termination of voltage is for less than about 25 nanoseconds.  
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the brief termination of voltage is for less than about 10 nanoseconds.  
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the brief termination of voltage is for less than about 1 nanosecond.  
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the brief termination of voltage is for less than about 900 picoseconds.  
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the brief termination of voltage is for less than about 800 picoseconds.  
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the brief termination of voltage is for less than about 700 picoseconds.  
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the brief termination of voltage is for less than about 600 picoseconds.  
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the brief termination of voltage is for less than about 500 picoseconds.  
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the brief termination of voltage is for less than about 250 picoseconds.  
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the brief termination of voltage is for less than about 125 picoseconds.  
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the brief termination of voltage is for less than about 75 picoseconds.  
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the brief termination of voltage is for less than about 50 picoseconds.  
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the brief termination of voltage is for less than about 25 picoseconds.  
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the brief termination of voltage is for less than about 10 picoseconds.  
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the signal is within the wavelengths of an optical band within an optical network.  
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the brief termination of voltage is for less than about 25 nanoseconds.  
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the brief termination of voltage is for less than about 10 nanoseconds.  
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the brief termination of voltage is for less than about 1 nanosecond.  
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the brief termination of voltage is for less than about 900 picoseconds.  
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the brief termination of voltage is for less than about 800 picoseconds.  
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the brief termination of voltage is for less than about 700 picoseconds.  
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the brief termination of voltage is for less than about 600 picoseconds.  
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the brief termination of voltage is for less than about 500 picoseconds.  
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the brief termination of voltage is for less than about 250 picoseconds.  
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the brief termination of voltage is for less than about 125 picoseconds.  
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the brief termination of voltage is for less than about 75 picoseconds.  
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the brief termination of voltage is for less than about 50 picoseconds.  
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the brief termination of voltage is for less than about 25 picoseconds.  
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the brief termination of voltage is for less than about 10 picoseconds.  
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 3  wherein at least one signal is within the wavelengths of an optical band within an optical network.  
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the brief termination of voltage is for less than about 25 nanoseconds.  
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the brief termination of voltage is for less than about 10 nanoseconds.  
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the brief termination of voltage is for less than about 1 nanosecond.  
     
     
         55 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the brief termination of voltage is for less than about 900 picoseconds.  
     
     
         56 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the brief termination of voltage is for less than about 800 picoseconds.  
     
     
         57 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the brief termination of voltage is for less than about 700 picoseconds.  
     
     
         58 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the brief termination of voltage is for less than about 600 picoseconds.  
     
     
         59 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the brief termination of voltage is for less than about 500 picoseconds.  
     
     
         60 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the brief termination of voltage is for less than about 250 picoseconds.  
     
     
         61 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the brief termination of voltage is for less than about 125 picoseconds.  
     
     
         62 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the brief termination of voltage is for less than about 75 picoseconds.  
     
     
         63 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the brief termination of voltage is for less than about 50 picoseconds.  
     
     
         64 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the brief termination of voltage is for less than about 25 picoseconds.  
     
     
         65 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the brief termination of voltage is for less than about 10 picoseconds.  
     
     
         66 . The method of  claim 4  wherein at least one signal is within the wavelengths of an optical band within an optical network.  
     
     
         67 . The method of  claim 4  wherein the brief termination of voltage is for less than about 25 nanoseconds.  
     
     
         68 . The method of  claim 4  wherein the brief termination of voltage is for less than about 10 nanoseconds.  
     
     
         69 . The method of  claim 4  wherein the brief termination of voltage is for less than about 1 nanosecond.  
     
     
         70 . The method of  claim 4  wherein the brief termination of voltage is for less than about 900 picoseconds.  
     
     
         71 . The method of  claim 4  wherein the brief termination of voltage is for less than about 800 picoseconds.  
     
     
         72 . The method of  claim 4  wherein the brief termination of voltage is for less than about 700 picoseconds.  
     
     
         73 . The method of  claim 4  wherein the brief termination of voltage is for less than about 600 picoseconds.  
     
     
         74 . The method of  claim 4  wherein the brief termination of voltage is for less than about 500 picoseconds.  
     
     
         75 . The method of  claim 4  wherein the brief termination of voltage is for less than about 250 picoseconds.  
     
     
         76 . The method of  claim 4  wherein the brief termination of voltage is for less than about 125 picoseconds.  
     
     
         77 . The method of  claim 4  wherein the brief termination of voltage is for less than about 75 picoseconds.  
     
     
         78 . The method of  claim 4  wherein the brief termination of voltage is for less than about 50 picoseconds.  
     
     
         79 . The method of  claim 4  wherein the brief termination of voltage is for less than about 25 picoseconds.  
     
     
         80 . The method of  claim 4  wherein the brief termination of voltage is for less than about 10 picoseconds.  
     
     
         81 . The optical switch of  claim 5  wherein at least one of the thinly or unclad regions of the first and second optical fibers is tapered.  
     
     
         82 . The optical switch of  claim 6  wherein at least one of the thinly or unclad regions of the first and second optical fibers is tapered.  
     
     
         83 . The optical router of  claim 7  wherein at least one of the thinly or unclad regions of the first and second optical fibers is tapered.  
     
     
         84 . The optical router of  claim 8  wherein at least one of the thinly or unclad regions of the first and second optical fibers is tapered.  
     
     
         85 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the sufficiently intense beam of light is a laser beam.  
     
     
         86 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the signal is within the wavelengths of an optical band within an optical network.  
     
     
         87 . The method of  claim 85  wherein the laser beam passes through a Mach-Zender interferometer and the brief termination of the laser beam is controlled by the Mach-Zender interferometer.  
     
     
         88 . The method of  claim 87  wherein the brief termination of the laser beam is for less than about 25 nanoseconds.  
     
     
         89 . The method of  claim 87  wherein the brief termination of the laser beam is for less than about 10 nanoseconds.  
     
     
         90 . The method of  claim 87  wherein the brief termination of the laser beam is for less than about 1 nanosecond.  
     
     
         91 . The method of  claim 87  wherein the brief termination of the laser beam is for less than about 900 picoseconds.  
     
     
         92 . The method of  claim 87  wherein the brief termination of the laser beam is for less than about 800 picoseconds.  
     
     
         93 . The method of  claim 87  wherein the brief termination of the laser beam is for less than about 700 picoseconds.  
     
     
         94 . The method of  claim 87  wherein the brief termination of the laser beam is for less than about 600 picoseconds.  
     
     
         95 . The method of  claim 87  wherein the brief termination of the laser beam is for less than about 500 picoseconds.  
     
     
         96 . The method of  claim 87  wherein the brief termination of the laser beam is for less than about 250 picoseconds.  
     
     
         97 . The method of  claim 87  wherein the brief termination of the laser beam is for less than about 125 picoseconds.  
     
     
         98 . The method of  claim 87  wherein the brief termination of the laser beam is for less than about 75 picoseconds.  
     
     
         99 . The method of  claim 87  wherein the brief termination of the laser beam is for less than about 50 picoseconds.  
     
     
         100 . The method of  claim 87  wherein the brief termination of the laser beam is for less than about 25 picoseconds.  
     
     
         101 . The method of  claim 87  wherein the brief termination of the laser beam is for less than about 10 picoseconds.  
     
     
         102 . The optical router of  claim 10  wherein at least one of the thinly or unclad regions of the first and second optical fibers is tapered.  
     
     
         103 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the signal is within the wavelengths of an optical band within an optical network.  
     
     
         104 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the sufficiently intense beam of light is a laser beam.  
     
     
         105 . The method of  claim 104  wherein the laser beam passes through a Mach-Zender interferometer and the directing of the laser beam at the microsphere is controlled by the Mach-Zender interferometer.  
     
     
         106 . The method of  claim 105  wherein the brief termination of voltage is for less than about 25 nanoseconds.  
     
     
         107 . The method of  claim 105  wherein the laser beam is directed at the microsphere for less than about 10 nanoseconds.  
     
     
         108 . The method of  claim 105  wherein the laser beam is directed at the microsphere for less than about 1 nanosecond.  
     
     
         109 . The method of  claim 105  wherein the laser beam is directed at the microsphere for less than about 900 picoseconds.  
     
     
         110 . The method of  claim 105  wherein the laser beam is directed at the microsphere for less than about 800 picoseconds.  
     
     
         111 . The method of  claim 105  wherein the laser beam is directed at the microsphere for less than about 700 picoseconds.  
     
     
         112 . The method of  claim 105  wherein the laser beam is directed at the microsphere for less than about 600 picoseconds.  
     
     
         113 . The method of  claim 105  wherein the laser beam is directed at the microsphere for less than about 500 picoseconds.  
     
     
         114 . The method of  claim 105  wherein the laser beam is directed at the microsphere for less than about 250 picoseconds.  
     
     
         115 . The method of  claim 105  wherein the laser beam is directed at the microsphere for less than about 125 picoseconds.  
     
     
         116 . The method of  claim 105  wherein the laser beam is directed at the microsphere for less than about 75 picoseconds.  
     
     
         117 . The method of  claim 105  wherein the laser beam is directed at the microsphere for less than about 50 picoseconds.  
     
     
         118 . The method of  claim 105  wherein the laser beam is directed at the microsphere for less than about 25 picoseconds.  
     
     
         119 . The method of  claim 105  wherein the laser beam is directed at the microsphere for less than about 10 picoseconds.  
     
     
         120 . The method of  claim 11  wherein each sufficiently intense beam of light is a laser beam.  
     
     
         121 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the signal is within the wavelengths of an optical band within an optical network.  
     
     
         122 . The method of  claim 120  wherein each laser beam passes through a Mach-Zender interferometer and the termination is of each laser beam is controlled by the Mach-Zender interferometer.  
     
     
         123 . The method of  claim 12  wherein each sufficiently intense beam of light is a laser beam.  
     
     
         124 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the signal is within the wavelengths of an optical band within an optical network.  
     
     
         125 . The method of  claim 123  wherein each laser beam passes through a Mach-Zender interferometer and the directing of the laser beam at the microsphere is controlled by the Mach-Zender interferometer.  
     
     
         126 . The optical switch of  claim 13  further comprising a computer connected to the Mach-Zender interferometer, whereby the constructive or destructive interference the Mach-Zender interferometer can apply to a laser beam within the illuminating fiber is controlled.  
     
     
         127 . The optical switch of  claim 14  further comprising a computer connected to the Mach-Zender interferometer, whereby the constructive or destructive interference the Mach-Zender interferometer can apply to a laser beam within the illuminating fiber is controlled.  
     
     
         128 . The optical router of  claim 15  further comprising a computer connected to each Mach-Zender interferometer, whereby the constructive or destructive interference the Mach-Zender interferometer can apply to a laser beam within the illuminating fiber is controlled.  
     
     
         129 . The optical router of  claim 16  further comprising a computer connected to each Mach-Zender interferometer, whereby the constructive or destructive interference the Mach-Zender interferometer can apply to a laser beam within the illuminating fiber is controlled.  
     
     
         130 . An optical filter comprising: 
 a WGM resonate structure fixed in a medium with a known index of refraction that is distinct from the index of refraction of the index of refraction of the WGM resonate structure;    an input waveguide affixed at a region proximate to the WGM resonate structure; and    an output waveguide affixed at a region proximate to the WGM resonate structure.    
     
     
         131 . The optical filter of  claim 130  further comprising a resonate structure-medium interface formed where the medium surrounds the WGM resonate structure.  
     
     
         132 . The optical filter of  claim 130  wherein the distinction between the indices of refraction of the WGM resonate structure and the medium is sufficient to cause a condition of total internal reflection.  
     
     
         133 . The optical filter of  claim 130  wherein the WGM resonate structure is selected from the group consisting of microspheres, stadiums, rings, hoops, oblate and prolate spheroids, or discs.  
     
     
         134 . The optical filter of  claim 130  wherein the WGM resonate structure is dielectric.  
     
     
         135 . The optical filter of  claim 130  wherein the WGM resonate structure is a microsphere.  
     
     
         136 . The optical filter of  claim 135  wherein the microsphere is between about 2 to about 90 micro in diameter.  
     
     
         137 . The optical filter of  claim 135  wherein the microsphere is between about 2 to about 75 microns in diameter.  
     
     
         138 . The optical filter of  claim 135  wherein the microsphere is between about 2 to about 50 microns in diameter.  
     
     
         139 . The optical filter of  claim 135  wherein the microsphere is between about 2 to about 29 microns in diameter.  
     
     
         140 . The optical filter of  claim 135  wherein the microsphere is between about 2 to about 25 microns in diameter.  
     
     
         141 . The optical filter of  claim 135  wherein the microsphere is between about 2 to about 19 microns in diameter.  
     
     
         142 . The optical filter of  claim 135  wherein the microsphere is between about 2 to about 9 microns in diameter.  
     
     
         143 . The optical filter of  claim 130  wherein the waveguide is selected from the group consisting of an optical fiber, a tapered optical fiber, a semi-conductor waveguide, a photonic band gap waveguide, or a photonic crystal waveguide.  
     
     
         144 . The optical filter of  claim 143  wherein the waveguide is an optical fiber with an area of reduced cladding at each resonate structure-waveguide interface.  
     
     
         145 . The optical filter of  claim 143  wherein the optical fiber is tapered at the area of reduced cladding.  
     
     
         146 . The optical filter of  claim 130  wherein the medium has an index of refraction of about 1.52 and the WGM resonate structure has an index of refraction of greater than 1.5.  
     
     
         147 . An optical filter comprising: 
 a WGM resonate structure fixed in a medium, with a known index of refraction that is distinct from the index of refraction of the index of refraction of the WGM resonate structure;    an input waveguide affixed at a region proximate to the WGM resonate structure;    an output waveguide affixed at a region proximate to the WGM resonate structure; and    a means to switch “on/off” the optical filter.    
     
     
         148 . The optical filter of  claim 147  wherein a WGM resonate structure is a microsphere.  
     
     
         149 . The optical filter of  claim 148  wherein the microsphere is between about 2 to about 90 microns in diameter.  
     
     
         150 . The optical filter of  claim 148  wherein the microsphere is between about 2 to about 75 microns in diameter.  
     
     
         151 . The optical filter of  claim 148  wherein the microsphere is between about 2 to about 50 microns in diameter.  
     
     
         152 . The optical filter of  claim 148  wherein the microsphere is between about 2 to about 29 microns in diameter.  
     
     
         153 . The optical filter of  claim 148  wherein the microsphere is between about 2 to about 25 microns in diameter.  
     
     
         154 . The optical filter of  claim 148  wherein the, microsphere is between about 2 to about 19 microns in diameter.  
     
     
         155 . The optical filter of  claim 148  wherein the microsphere is between about 2 to about 9 microns in diameter.  
     
     
         156 . The optical filter of  claim 148  wherein the microsphere is between about 2 to about 8 microns in diameter.  
     
     
         157 . The optical filter of  claim 147  further comprising a resonate structure-medium interface formed where the medium surrounds the WGM resonate structure.  
     
     
         158 . The optical filter of  claim 157  wherein the distinction between the indices of refraction of the WGM resonate structure and the medium is sufficient to cause a condition of total internal reflection at the resonate structure-medium interface.  
     
     
         159 . The optical filter of  claim 147  further comprising a resonate structure waveguide interface formed at each of the proximate regions.  
     
     
         160 . The optical filter of  claim 159  wherein the means to switch “on/off” the optical filter is the adjustment of the index of refraction of the WGM resonate structure at one or more of the resonate structure waveguide interfaces.  
     
     
         161 . The optical filter of  claim 160  wherein the adjustment of the index of refraction of the WGM resonate structure is electrical.  
     
     
         162 . The optical filter of  claim 161  further comprising: 
 a pair of electrodes, each with a conductive contact lead, placed on either side of the WGM resonate structure; and  
 a controller attached to the conductive leads, whereby the flow of electricity to the conductive leads can be selected.  
 
     
     
         163 . The optical filter of  claim 160  wherein the adjustment of the index of refraction of the WGM resonate structure is optical.  
     
     
         164 . The optical filter of  claim 163  further comprising a laser beam directed at the WGM resonate structure.  
     
     
         165 . The optical filter of  claim 164  further comprising a Mach-Zender interferometer to produce the laser beam.  
     
     
         166 . The optical filter of  claim 147  wherein the “on/off” means is a controlled signal loss within the WGM resonate structure.  
     
     
         167 . The optical filter of  claim 166  further comprising: 
 a triggerable signal absorbing material within the WGM resonate structure; and  
 a trigger means for activating the signal absorbing material.  
 
     
     
         168 . The optical filter of  claim 167  wherein the trigger means is an intense beam of light directed at the WGM resonate structure.  
     
     
         169 . The optical filter of  claim 168  wherein the intense beam of light is a laser beam.  
     
     
         170 . The optical filter of  claim 169  further comprising a Mach-Zender interferometer to produce the laser beam.  
     
     
         171 . The optical filter of  claim 159  wherein at least one of the waveguides is an optical fiber with a region of reduced cladding at the resonate structure waveguide interface.  
     
     
         172 . The optical filter of  claim 171  wherein at least one of the optical fibers is tapered.  
     
     
         173 . The optical filter of  claim 147  wherein at least one of the input and output waveguides is selected from the group consisting of a semi-conductor waveguide, a photonic band gap waveguide or a photonic crystal waveguide.  
     
     
         174 . A system to demultiplex optical signals comprising 
 “n” wavelength specific optical filters, each containing a WGM resonate structure fixed in a medium, with a known index of refraction that is distinct from the index of refraction of the WGM resonate structure;    a single input waveguide fixed proximate to the optical filters, whereby optical signal can propagate from the input waveguide to a WGM resonate structure; and    “n” output waveguides, each fixed proximate to one of the “n” optical filters, whereby optical signals can propagate from an optical filter to the output waveguide.    
     
     
         175 . The system of  claim 172  wherein at least one of the WGM resonate structures is a microsphere.  
     
     
         176 . The system of  claim 172  wherein the WGM resonate structure are microspheres.  
     
     
         177 . The system of  claim 176  wherein the microsphere is between about 2 to about 90 microns in diameter.  
     
     
         178 . The system of  claim 176  wherein the microsphere is between about 2 to about 75 microns in diameter.  
     
     
         179 . The system of  claim 176  wherein the microsphere is between about 2 to about 50 microns in diameter.  
     
     
         180 . The system of  claim 176  wherein the microsphere is between about 2 to about 29 microns in diameter.  
     
     
         181 . The system of  claim 176  wherein the microsphere is between about 2 to about 25 microns in diameter.  
     
     
         182 . The system of  claim 176  wherein the microsphere is between about 2 to about 19 microns in diameter.  
     
     
         183 . The system of  claim 176  wherein the microsphere is between about 2 to about 9 microns in diameter.  
     
     
         184 . The system of  claim 174  further comprising an electronic “on/off” means for adjusting the index of refraction of at least one of the WGM resonate structures.  
     
     
         185 . The system of  claim 184  wherein the electronic “on/off” means comprises: 
 a pair of electrodes, each with a conductive lead, placed on either side of the WGM microsphere, whereby electrical power can pass across the microsphere; and  
 a controller attached to the conductive leads, whereby the flow of electricity to the conductive leads can be selected.  
 
     
     
         186 . The system of  claim 174  further comprising an optical “on/off” means for adjusting the index of refraction of at least one microsphere.  
     
     
         187 . The system of  claim 186  wherein the optical means is a laser beam directed at the microsphere within the at least one optical switch.  
     
     
         188 . The system of  claim 187  further comprising at least one Mach-Zender interferometer to produce each laser beam.  
     
     
         189 . The system of  claim 174  further comprising: 
 a triggerable signal absorbing material within at least one WGM resonate structure; and  
 a trigger means for activating the signal absorbing material within the at least one WGM resonate structure.  
 
     
     
         190 . The system of  claim 189  wherein the signal absorbing material is photochromic  
     
     
         191 . A method of optical filtering comprising: 
 forming a resonate structure-medium interface by surrounding a WGM resonate structure with a medium that has an index of refraction distinct from the index of refraction of the WGM resonate structure;    establishing a condition of total internal reflection from the difference between the indexes of refraction of the medium and the WGM resonate structure at the resonate structure medium interface to.    providing a plurality of input optical signals within a predetermined optical band to the WGM resonate structure;    coupling at least one optical signal which is a resonate signal of the WGM resonate structure to the WGM resonate structure;    providing the at least one optical signal from the dielectric WGM resonate structure as an output optical signal.    
     
     
         192 . The method of  claim 191  the method further comprising: 
 providing the input signals within a waveguide fixed at a region proximate to the WGM resonate structure;  
 providing an output waveguide to receive the output fixed at a region proximate to the WGM resonate structure to receive the output optical signals.  
 
     
     
         193 . The method of  claim 192  the method further comprising forming a resonate structure-wavelength interface at each proximate region.  
     
     
         194 . The method of  claim 193  further comprising switching the filter “on/off” by applying a WGM control to at least one resonate structure-waveguide interface.  
     
     
         195 . The method of  claim 194  wherein the applied WGM control is the polarization of a resonate structure.  
     
     
         196 . The method of  claim 195  wherein the polarization adjusts the index of refraction of the WGM resonate structure, at one or more resonate structure-waveguide interfaces, to become substantially equal to the index of refraction of the medium.  
     
     
         197 . The method of  claim 195  wherein the polarization adjusts the index of refraction of the WGM resonate wave structure whereby it no longer resonates for optical signals within the predetermined optical band.  
     
     
         198 . The method of  claim 195  wherein the polarization is caused bypassing electrical power across the WGM resonate structure.  
     
     
         199 . The method of  claim 195  wherein the polarization is produced by directing an intense beam of light at the resonate structure.  
     
     
         200 . The method of  claim 192  the method further comprising adding the optical signal to the output waveguide.  
     
     
         201 . The method of  claim 193  the method further comprising switching the filter “on/off” by a signal loss control.  
     
     
         202 . The method of  claim 201  wherein the signal loss control is selectively applying a trigger to activate the signal absorbing material within the WCM resonate structure whereby WGM is disrupted by the signal loss.  
     
     
         203 . A method to demultiplex optical signals comprising: 
 providing “n” optical signals of different wavelengths, in a single input waveguide to “n” optical filters, each of the “n” optical filters containing a WGM resonate structure surrounded by a medium, which resonates in WGM for one of the “n” optical signals;    coupling the corresponding optical signal from the output waveguide to each optical filter; and    providing as output from each of the “n” optical filters one of the “n” optical signals.    
     
     
         204 . The method to demultiplex of  claim 203  the method further comprising coupling the output from each of the “n” optical filters to one of the “n” output waveguides.  
     
     
         205 . An optical filter comprising: 
 a WGM resonate structure; and,    a triggerable signal absorbing material within the substrate of the WGM resonate structure.    
     
     
         206 . The optical filter of  claim 205  further comprising a trigger means which can cause the signal absorbing material to absorb signal.  
     
     
         207 . The optical filter of  claim 206  wherein the trigger means is an intense beam of light directed at the resonate structure.  
     
     
         208 . The optical filter of  claim 205  wherein the resonate structure is selected from the group consisting of microspheres, stadiums, rings, hoops, oblate and prolate spheroids, and discs.  
     
     
         209 . The optical filter of  claim 205  wherein the resonate structure is dielectric.  
     
     
         210 . The optical filter of  claim 209  wherein the dielectric resonate structure is a microsphere.  
     
     
         211 . The optical filter of  claim 210  wherein the microsphere is between about 10 to 200 microns in diameter.  
     
     
         212 . The optical filter of  claim 210  wherein the microsphere is less than about 30 microns.  
     
     
         213 . The optical filter of  claim 210  wherein the microsphere is less than about 10 microns.  
     
     
         214 . The optical filter of  claim 205  wherein the signal absorbing material is a photochromic material.  
     
     
         215 . The optical filter of  claim 214  wherein the photochromic material is photochromic bisthienylethene.  
     
     
         216 . The optical filter of  claim 207  wherein the intense beam of light is a laser beam.  
     
     
         217 . An optical filter comprising: 
 an input waveguide;    a secondary structure which supports signal propagation;    a WGM resonate structure fixed at a region proximate to the input waveguide and the secondary structure; and,    a triggerable signal absorbing material within the WGM resonate structure.    
     
     
         218 . The optical filter of  claim 217  further comprising a trigger means for activating the signal absorbing material within the WGM resonate structure.  
     
     
         219 . The optical filter of  claim 217  further comprising a resonate structure-waveguide interface formed at each of the proximate regions.  
     
     
         220 . The optical filter of  claim 217  wherein the trigger means is an intense beam of light directed at the WGM resonate structure.  
     
     
         221 . The optical filter of  claim 217  wherein the WGM resonate structure is selected from the group consisting of microspheres, stadiums, rings, hoops, oblate and prolate spheroids, and discs.  
     
     
         222 . The optical filter of  claim 217  wherein the resonate structure is dielectric.  
     
     
         223 . The optical filter of  claim 222  wherein the dielectric resonate structure is a microsphere.  
     
     
         224 . The optical filter of  claim 223  wherein the microsphere is between about 10 to 200 microns in diameter.  
     
     
         225 . The optical filter of  claim 223  wherein the microsphere is less than about 30 microns.  
     
     
         226 . The optical filter of  claim 223  wherein the microsphere is less than about 10 microns.  
     
     
         227 . The optical filter of  claim 223  wherein the signal absorbing material is a photochromic material.  
     
     
         228 . The optical filter of  claim 227  wherein the photochromic material is photochromic bisthienylethene.  
     
     
         229 . The optical filter of  claim 220  wherein the intense beam of light is a laser beam.  
     
     
         230 . The optical filter of  claim 217  wherein the input waveguide is an optical fiber with an area of reduced cladding at each resonate structure-waveguide interface.  
     
     
         231 . The optical filter of  claim 230  wherein the optical fiber is tapered at the area of reduced cladding.  
     
     
         232 . The optical switch of  claim 217  wherein the secondary structure is selected from the group consisting of a waveguide, an optical fiber, a tapered optical fiber, a semi-conductor waveguide, a photonic band gap waveguide, and a photonic crystal waveguide.  
     
     
         233 . The optical switch of  claim 229  further comprising a Mach-Zender interferometer to produce the laser beam.  
     
     
         234 . A system to demultiplex optical signals: 
 “n” groups of optical filters, each of which contains a WGM resonate structure which resonates in WGM for the a different resonate signal;    an input waveguide fixed at a region proximate to each of the “n” optical filters, whereby optical signal propagation from the input waveguide to the optical filter can occur;    a triggerable signal absorbing material within at least one of the WGM resonate structures; and    “n” output waveguides each fixed at a region proximate to one of the “n” optical filters, whereby optical signal propagation from the optical filter to the output waveguide can occur.    
     
     
         235 . The system of  claim 234  further comprising a resonate structure-waveguide interface formed at each of the proximate regions.  
     
     
         236 . The system of  claim 234  further comprising a trigger consisting of an intense beam of light applied to at least one resonate structure which contains signal absorbing material.  
     
     
         237 . The system of  claim 236  wherein the intense beam of light is a laser beam.  
     
     
         238 . The system of  claim 237  further comprising at least one Mach-Zender interferometer to produce each laser beam.  
     
     
         239 . The system of  claim 234  wherein the resonate structure is selected from the group consisting of microspheres, stadiums, rings, hoops, oblate and prolate spheroids, and discs.  
     
     
         240 . The system of  claim 234  wherein at least one of the resonate structures is a microsphere.  
     
     
         241 . The system of  claim 240  wherein each microsphere is between about 10 to 200 microns in diameter.  
     
     
         242 . The system of  claim 240  wherein at least one microsphere is less than about 10 microns.  
     
     
         243 . The system of  claim 234  wherein the signal absorbing material is a photochromic material.  
     
     
         244 . The system of  claim 243  wherein the photochromic material is bisthienylethene.  
     
     
         245 . The system of  claim 235  wherein at least one of the input and output waveguides is an optical fiber with an area of reduced cladding at each resonate structure-waveguide interface.  
     
     
         246 . The system of  claim 245  wherein each optical fiber is tapered at the area of reduced cladding.  
     
     
         247 . The system of  claim 234  wherein each of the input and output waveguides is selected from the group consisting of an optical fiber, a tapered optical fiber, a semi-conductor waveguide, a photonic band gap waveguide and a photonic crystal waveguide.  
     
     
         248 . A system to demultiplex and multiplex optical signals comprising: 
 “n” groups of “m” redundant optical filters, each of the “m” redundant optical filters in each of the “n”: groups contains a WGM resonate structure which resonates in WGM for the same group of resonate signals;    an input waveguide fixed at a region proximate to each optical filter, whereby optical signal propagation from the input waveguide to the optical filter can occur,    a triggerable signal absorbing material within at least one of the a WGM resonate structures; and    “m” output waveguides each fixed at a region proximate to one of the “m” optical filters in each of the “n” groups.    
     
     
         249 . The system of  claim 248  further comprising a resonate structure-waveguide interface formed at each of the proximate regions.  
     
     
         250 . The system of  claim 249  further comprising a trigger consisting of an intense beam of light applied to at least one resonate structure which contains signal absorbing material.  
     
     
         251 . The system of  claim 250  wherein the intense beam of light is a laser beam.  
     
     
         252 . The system of  claim 251  further comprising at least one Mach-Zender interferometer to produce each laser beam.  
     
     
         253 . The system of  claim 248  wherein the resonate structure is selected from the group consisting of microspheres, stadiums, rings, hoops, oblate and prolate spheroids, and discs.  
     
     
         254 . The system of  claim 248  wherein at least one of the resonate structures is a microsphere.  
     
     
         255 . The system of  claim 254  wherein each microsphere is between about 10 to 200 microns in diameter.  
     
     
         256 . The system of  claim 254  wherein at least one microsphere is less than about 10 microns.  
     
     
         257 . The system of  claim 248  wherein the signal absorbing material is a photochromic material.  
     
     
         258 . The system of  claim 257  wherein the photochromic material is bisthienylethene.  
     
     
         259 . The system of  claim 249  wherein at least one of the input and output waveguides is an optical fiber with an area of reduced cladding at each resonate structure-waveguide interface.  
     
     
         260 . The system of  claim 259  wherein each optical fiber is tapered at the area of reduced cladding.  
     
     
         261 . The system of  claim 248  wherein each of the input and output waveguides is selected from the group consisting of an optical fiber, a tapered optical fiber, a semi-conductor waveguide, a photonic band gap waveguide and a photonic crystal waveguide.  
     
     
         262 . A method of switching “on/off” an optical filter comprising: 
 coupling an optical signal to a WGM resonate structure which contains a triggerable signal absorbing material;  
 coupling the optical signal from the WGM resonate structure to a secondary structure which supports signal propagation; and,  
 selectively applying a trigger to the signal absorbing material within the WGM resonate structure whereby the filter is switched “on/off” through disruption of WGM resonance caused by signal loss.  
 
     
     
         263 . The method of  claim 262  wherein the trigger is an intense beam of light directed at the resonate structure.  
     
     
         264 . The method of  claim 263  wherein the intense beam of light is a laser beam.  
     
     
         265 . The method of  claim 262  wherein the optical signal is within a channel within an optical telecommunications band.  
     
     
         266 . The method of  claim 262  wherein the secondary structure is an output waveguide.  
     
     
         267 . The method of  claim 266  the method further comprising adding an optical signal to the output waveguide.  
     
     
         268 . A method to demultiplex optical signals: 
 providing optical signals of at least two different wavelengths within a single input waveguide, to at least two optical filters each containing a WGM resonate structure which resonates in WGM for a group of resonate signals;    coupling optical signals, which are the resonate signals for a WGM resonate structure, from the input waveguide to the corresponding optical filter;    selectively applying a trigger to a signal absorbing material in at least one WGM resonate structures, whereby a signal loss which disrupts the WGM resonance of that WGM resonate structure results; and    providing as output signals, from each optical filter in which WGM resonance has not been disrupted, the optical signals corresponding to its resonate signals.    
     
     
         269 . The method of  claim 268  the method further comprising providing the output signals of each optical filter to a separate output waveguide.  
     
     
         270 . The method of  claim 268  wherein the trigger is an intense beam of light.  
     
     
         271 . A method to demultiplex optical signals: 
 providing optical signals of different wavelengths within a single input waveguide, to “n” groups of “m” redundant optical filters, each of the “m” redundant optical filters in each of the “n” groups contains a WGM resonate structure which resonates in WGM for the same group of resonate signals;    coupling optical signals, which are the resonate signals for a WGM resonate structure, from the input waveguide to the corresponding optical filters;    selectively applying a trigger to-a signal absorbing material in at least one WGM resonate structures, whereby a signal loss which disrupts the WGM resonance of that WGM resonate structure results; and    providing as output signals, from each of the “m” optical filter in which WGM resonance has not been disrupted, the optical signals corresponding to its resonate signals.    
     
     
         272 . The method of  claim 271  wherein the trigger is an intense beam of light.  
     
     
         273 . The method of  claim 271  the method further comprising multiplexing the output signals by providing the “m” output waveguides, each waveguide being fixed proximate to one of the “m” optical filters in each of the “n” groups, whereby output signals from each of the “n” groups of optical filters may be coupled to one of the “m” output waveguides.  
     
     
         274 . The optical filter of  claim 217  wherein the signal absorbing material is selected from the group consisting of semi conductor nanoclusters, electrochromic nanocrystals, quantum dots, doped semi-conductor nanoclusters, liquid crystals, semi conductors, and dyes.  
     
     
         275 . The optical filter of  claim 217  wherein the signal absorbing material is selected from the group consisting of 
 dihydroindolizines, diarylimylenes, ScGe, bis-Mienylperfluorocyclopentenes, spiropyrens, and fulgides.  
 
     
     
         276 . An optical filter comprising: 
 an input waveguide;    a first subfilter, which can switch a first group of resonate signals, fixed proximate to the input waveguide;    a second subfilter, which can switch a second group of resonate signals, one is also a resonate signal of the first subfilter, fixed proximate to the first subfilter; and    an output waveguide fixed proximate to the second subfilter.    
     
     
         277 . The optical filter of  claim 276  wherein the first and second subfilters each contain a WGM resonate structure.  
     
     
         278 . The optical filter of  claim 277  wherein each WGM resonate structure is a microsphere.  
     
     
         279 . An optical filter comprising: 
 an input waveguide;    a first subfilter, which can switch a first group of resonate signals, fixed proximate to the input waveguide, whereby the first subfilter can receive optical signals travelling within the input waveguide;    a second subfilter which can switch a second group of resonate signals one of which is also a resonate signal of the first subfilter, fixed proximate to the first subfilter, whereby the second subfilter can receive optical signals from the first subfilter;    an output waveguide fixed proximate to the second subfilter; and    an “on/off” means for controlling at least one of the first and second subfilter.    
     
     
         280 . An optical filter comprising: 
 an input waveguide;    an output waveguide;    a first WGM resonate structure which resonates in WGM for a first group of resonate signals fixed proximate to the input waveguide forming a first resonate structure-waveguide interface, whereby optical signal propagation of an evanescent wave from the input waveguide to the first resonate structure can occur;    a second WGM resonate structure which resonates in WGM for a second group of resonate signals, one of which is also a resonate signal of the first resonate structure, fixed proximate to the first resonate structure forming a direct optical-switch interface, whereby optical signal propagation from the first WGM resonate structure to the second WGM resonate structure can occur; and    a second resonate structure-waveguide interface formed between the second WGM resonate structure and the output waveguide, whereby optical signal propagation from the second WGM resonate structure to the output waveguide can occur.    
     
     
         281 . The optical filter of  claim 280  wherein each WGM resonate structure is selected from the group consisting of stadiums, rings, hoops, oblate and prolate spheroids, discs and microspheres.  
     
     
         282 . The optical filter of  claim 280  wherein at least one of the first and second WGM resonate structures is a microsphere.  
     
     
         283 . The optical filter of  claim 280  wherein the input and output waveguides are each an optical fiber with an area of reduced cladding at each resonate structure-waveguide interface.  
     
     
         284 . The optical filter of  claim 280  further comprising: 
 a triggerable signal absorbing material within at least one of the WGM resonate structures; and  
 a trigger means for activating the signal absorbing material within at least one WGM resonate structure.  
 
     
     
         285 . The optical filter of  claim 284  wherein the trigger means is an intense beam of light directed at the resonate structure.  
     
     
         286 . The optical filter of  claim 285  wherein the intense beam of light is a laser beam.  
     
     
         287 . The optical filter of  claim 286  further comprising a Mach-Zender interferometer to produce the laser beam.  
     
     
         288 . The optical filter of  claim 280  further comprising a switching means for adjusting the index of refraction of at least one of the WGM resonate structures at one or more of the resonate structure waveguide interfaces.  
     
     
         289 . The optical filter of  claim 288  wherein the switching means is a pair of electrodes, each with a conductive contact lead, placed on either side of at least one of the WGM resonate structures.  
     
     
         290 . The optical filter of  claim 288  wherein the switching means is a laser beam directed at one or more of the WGM resonate structures.  
     
     
         291 . The optical filter of  claim 290  further comprising a Mach-Zender interferometer to produce the laser beam.  
     
     
         292 . The optical filter of  claim 289  further comprising a medium surrounding at least one of the resonate structure-waveguide interfaces and the direct optical-switch interface which is adjacent to a WGM resonate structure which has a pair of electrodes placed on either side.  
     
     
         293 . The optical filter of  claim 290  further comprising a medium surrounding at least one of the resonate structure-waveguide interfaces and the direct optical-switch interface which is adjacent to a resonate structure which has a laser beam directed at it.  
     
     
         294 . The optical filter of  claim 283  wherein at least one of the optical fibers is tapered.  
     
     
         295 . The optical filter of  claim 283  wherein at least one of the input and output waveguides is selected from the group consisting of a semi-conductor waveguide, a photonic band gap waveguide, or a photonic crystal waveguide.  
     
     
         296 . An optical filter comprising: 
 an intermediary waveguide;    a first subfilter for a first group of resonate signals fixed proximate to an input waveguide and the intermediary waveguide; and    a second subfilter for a second specific group of resonate signals, one of which is also a resonate signal of the first optical switch, fixed proximate to the intermediary waveguide and an output waveguide.    
     
     
         297 . An optical filter comprising: 
 an intermediary waveguide;    a first subfilter, which can switch a first group of resonate signals, fixed proximate to an input waveguide and the intermediary waveguide;    a second subfilter, which can switch a second group of resonate signals, one of which is also a resonate signal of the first group of resonate signals, fixed proximate to the intermediary waveguide and an output waveguide; and    an “on/off” switching means for controlling at least one of the subfilters.    
     
     
         298 . An optical filter comprising: 
 an input waveguide;    an output waveguide;    an intermediary waveguide;    a first WGM resonate structure which resonates in WGM for a first group of resonate signals fixed proximate to the input waveguide forming a first resonate structure-waveguide interface which supports optical signal propagation from the input waveguide to the first dielectric WGM resonate structure;    a second WGM resonate structure-waveguide interface formed between the first WGM resonate structure and the intermediary waveguide which supports optical signal propagation from the first WGM resonate structure to the intermediary waveguide;    a second resonate structure which resonates in WGM for a second group of resonate signals, one of which is also a resonate signal of the first WGM resonate structure, fixed proximate to the intermediary waveguide forming a third resonate structure-waveguide interface which supports signal propagation from the intermediary waveguide to the second WGM resonate structure; and    a fourth resonate structure-waveguide interface formed between the second WGM resonate structure and the output waveguide which supports signal propagation from the second WGM resonate structure to the output waveguide.    
     
     
         299 . The optical filter of  claim 298  wherein the WGM resonate structures are each selected from the group consisting of stadiums, rings, hoops, oblate and prolate spheroids, discs and microspheres.  
     
     
         300 . The optical filter of  claim 298  wherein at least one of the first and second WGM resonate structures are microspheres.  
     
     
         301 . The optical filter of  claim 298  wherein the input and output waveguides are each an optical fiber with an area of reduced cladding at each resonate structure-waveguide interface.  
     
     
         302 . The optical filter of  claim 298  wherein the intermediary waveguide is an optical fiber with an area of reduced cladding at each resonate structure-waveguide interface.  
     
     
         303 . The optical filter of  claim 298  wherein the input, intermediary and output waveguides are optical fibers each with an area of reduced cladding at each resonate structure-waveguide interface.  
     
     
         304 . The optical filter of  claim 298  wherein at least one of the input, output and intermediary optical fibers are tapered.  
     
     
         305 . The optical filter of  claim 298  wherein at least one of the input, output and intermediary waveguides is selected from the group consisting of a semi-conductor waveguide, a photonic band gap waveguide, or a photonic crystal waveguide.  
     
     
         306 . The optical filter of  claim 298  further comprising a switching means for adjusting the index of refraction of at least one of the WGM resonate structures at one or more of the resonate structure waveguide interfaces.  
     
     
         307 . The optical filter of  claim 306  wherein the switching means is a pair of electrodes, each with a conductive contact lead, placed on either side of at least one of the WGM resonate structures.  
     
     
         308 . The optical filter of  claim 304  wherein the switching means is a laser beam directed at, at least one of the WGM resonate structures.  
     
     
         309 . The optical filter of  claim 308  further comprising a Mach-Zender interferometer to produce the laser beam.  
     
     
         310 . The optical filter of  claim 307  further comprising a medium surrounding at least one of the resonate structure-waveguide interfaces which is adjacent to each WGM resonate structure which has a pair of electrodes placed on either side.  
     
     
         311 . The optical filter of  claim 308  further comprising a medium surrounding at least one of the resonate structure-waveguide interfaces which is adjacent to each WGM resonate structure which has a laser beam directed at it.  
     
     
         312 . An optical filter comprising: 
 a first resonate structure which can resonate in WGM for a first group of resonate signals; and    a second resonate structure, fixed proximate to the first resonate structure which can resonate in WGM for a second group of resonate signals one of which is also a resonate signal of the first WGM resonate structure.    
     
     
         313 . An optical filter comprising: 
 a first WGM resonate structure which can resonate in WGM for a first group of resonate signals;    a second WGM resonate structure, fixed proximate to the first resonate structure which can resonate in WGM for a second group of resonate signals one of which is also a resonate signal of the first resonate structure; and    at least one additional resonate structure fixed proximate to the second resonate structure each of which can resonate in WGM for an additional group of resonate signals, one of which is the same resonate signal common to both the first and second resonate structures.    
     
     
         314 . The optical filter of  claim 312  wherein: 
 the first resonate structure is selected from the group consisting of stadiums, rings, hoops, oblate and prolate spheroids, discs and microspheres; and  
 the second resonate structure is selected from the group consisting of stadiums, rings, hoops, oblate and prolate spheroids, discs, microspheres, and resonate cavities.  
 
     
     
         315 . A system to demultiplex different wavelength optical signals comprising: 
 at least two optical filters, each of which can filter for a different, wavelength optical signal;    an input waveguide fixed at a region proximate to all optical filters, whereby an optical signal can propagate from the input waveguide to the optical filters; and    a separate output waveguide, fixed at a region proximate to each optical filter, whereby optical signals can propagate from an optical filter to the proximate output waveguide.    
     
     
         316 . The system of  claim 315  further comprising: 
 at least two tertiary waveguides; and  
 an optical switch between each output waveguide and each tertiary waveguide, whereby optical signals can propagate from the optical switch to the tertiary waveguide.  
 
     
     
         317 . The system of  claim 316  further comprising an “on/off” switching means which can be applied to at least one of the optical switches.  
     
     
         318 . The system of  claim 316  wherein each optical switch comprises a resonate structure which is fixed proximate to the output waveguide and the tertiary waveguide.  
     
     
         319 . The system of  claim 316  wherein each optical switch comprises a wavelength specific resonate structure which is fixed at a region proximate to the output waveguide and the tertiary waveguide.  
     
     
         320 . The system of  claim 318  wherein the resonate structures are selected from the group consisting of stadiums, rings, hoops, oblate and prolate spheroids, discs, microspheres, or resonate cavities.  
     
     
         321 . The system of  claim 318  further comprising an electronic switching means to adjust the index of refraction of the resonate structure within at least one optical switch.  
     
     
         322 . The system of  claim 321  wherein the electronic switching means comprises: 
 a pair of electrodes, each with a conductive lead, placed on either side of the at least one resonant structure, whereby electrical power can pass across the resonate structure; and  
 a controller attached to the conductive leads, whereby the flow of electricity to the conductive leads can be selected.  
 
     
     
         323 . The system of  claim 318  further comprising an optical switching means for adjusting the index of refraction of the resonate structure within at least one optical switch.  
     
     
         324 . The system of  claim 323  wherein the optical switching means is a laser beam directed at the resonate structure within the at least one optical switch.  
     
     
         325 . The system of  claim 318  further comprising: 
 a triggerable signal absorbing material within at least one resonate structures; and  
 a trigger means for activating the signal absorbing material within the at least one resonate structure.  
 
     
     
         326 . The system of  claim 316  further comprising: 
 an electronic switching means which can be applied to at least one of the optical switches; and  
 an optical switching means which can be applied to at least one of the optical switches.  
 
     
     
         327 . The system of  claim 317  further comprising a medium with an know index of refraction surrounding at least one of the regions where at least one optical switch is fixed proximate to a tertiary or output waveguide.  
     
     
         328 . The system of  claim 327  wherein the medium is selected from the group consisting of air, plastic, or water.  
     
     
         329 . A system to demultiplex different wavelength optical signals comprising: 
 “n” gate keeper subfilters;    an input waveguide fixed at a region proximate to all the “n” gate keeper subfilters;    “n” intermediary waveguides, each fixed proximate to one of the “n” gate keeper subfilters;    “n” groups of “m” isolator subfilters, each group of “m” isolator subfilters filter for the same resonate signals, fixed at a region proximate to each intermediary waveguide; and    “m” output waveguides each fixed at a region proximate to one of the “m” isolator subfilters from each of the “n” groups of isolator subfilters.    
     
     
         330 . The system of  claim 329  further comprising an “on/off” control means which can be applied to at least one of the subfilters.  
     
     
         331 . The system of  claim 330  wherein each subfilter contains a WGM resonate structure.  
     
     
         332 . The system of  claim 331  wherein the “on/off” control means is an electronic WGM control comprising: 
 a pair of electrodes, each with a conductive lead, placed on either side of the WGM resonate structure of the at least one subfilter, whereby electrical power can pass across the WGM resonate structure; and  
 a controller attached to the conductive leads, whereby the flow of electricity to the conductive leads can be selected.  
 
     
     
         333 . The system of  claim 331  wherein the “on/off” control means is an optical WGM control, comprising a laser beam directed at the WGM resonate structure within the at least one subfilter.  
     
     
         334 . The system of  claim 333  further comprising at least one Mach-Zender interferometer to produce each laser beam.  
     
     
         335 . The system of  claim 331  wherein the “on/off” control means is through signal loss control.  
     
     
         336 . The system of  claim 335  wherein the signal loss control comprises: 
 a triggerable signal absorbing material within at least one WGM resonate structure; and  
 a trigger means for activating the signal absorbing material within the WGM resonate structure.  
 
     
     
         337 . The system of  claim 331  further comprising: 
 WGM control means which can be applied to at least one of the subfilters; and  
 a signal loss control means which can be applied to at least one of the subfilters.  
 
     
     
         338 . The system of  claim 332  further comprising a medium with a known index of refraction surrounding at least one of the regions where at least one WGM resonate structure is fixed proximate to an input, intermediary or output waveguide.  
     
     
         339 . The system of  claim 333  further comprising a medium with an known index of refraction surrounding at least one of the regions where at least one WGM resonate structure is fixed proximate to an input, intermediary or output waveguide.  
     
     
         340 . A method of optical filtering comprising: 
 providing optical signals of at least two different wavelengths to a first subfilter;    coupling the signals which are resonate signals of the first subfilter to the first subfilter;    coupling a single resonate signal from the first subfilter to a second subfilter; and    coupling the single resonate signal to a secondary structure.    
     
     
         341 . A method of optical filtering comprising: 
 providing a plurality of optical signals to a first subfilter;    coupling the resonate signals which are resonate signals of the first subfilter to the first subfilter;    coupling a single resonate signal from the first subfilter to a second subfilter; and    coupling the single resonate signal to an output waveguide.    
     
     
         342 . The method of  claim 341  wherein the resonate signal is provided to the second subfilter by direct coupling with the first subfilter.  
     
     
         343 . The method of  claim 341  wherein the resonate signal is provided to the second subfilter by indirect coupling with the first subfilter.  
     
     
         344 . The method of  claim 343  the method further comprising: 
 coupling the resonate signals from the first subfilter to an intermediary waveguide; and  
 coupling a resonate signal from the intermediary waveguide to the second subfilter.  
 
     
     
         345 . The method of  claim 340  the method further comprising applying a WGM control to switch “on/off” at least one subfilter.  
     
     
         346 . The method of  claim 340  the method further comprising applying a signal loss control to switch “on/off” at least one subfilter.  
     
     
         347 . The method of  claim 341  the method further comprising applying a WGM control to switch “on/off” at least one subfilter.  
     
     
         348 . The method of  claim 341  the method further comprising applying a signal loss control to switch “on/off” at least one subfilter.  
     
     
         349 . A method of optical filtering comprising: 
 providing optical signals of at least two different wavelengths to a first WGM resonate structure;    coupling the optical signals which the first WGM resonate structure resonates for to the first WGM resonate structure;    coupling a single resonate signal from the first WGM resonate structure to a second WGM resonate structure; and    coupling the single resonate signal from the second WGM resonate structure to a waveguide.    
     
     
         350 . The method of  claim 349  wherein at least one of the WGM resonate structures is a microsphere.  
     
     
         351 . The method of  claim 349  the method further comprising providing the optical signals within a waveguide.  
     
     
         352 . The method of  claim 349  wherein the optical signals are within a channel within an optical telecommunications band.  
     
     
         353 . The method of  claim 349  the method further comprising applying a WGM control to switch “on/off” the WGM resonance of at least one of the WGM resonate structures.  
     
     
         354 . The method of  claim 353  wherein the WGM control is to adjust the index of refraction of a WGM resonate structure to substantially match the index of refraction of a medium surrounding at least the portion of the WGM resonate structure where coupling occurs.  
     
     
         355 . The method of  claim 353  wherein the WGM control is to adjust the index of refraction of a WGM resonate structure to not substantially match the index of refraction of a medium surrounding the portions of the WGM resonate structure where coupling occurs.  
     
     
         356 . The method of  claim 349  the method further comprising applying a signal loss control to switch “on/off” the WGM resonance of at least one of the WGM resonate structures.  
     
     
         357 . A method of optical filtering comprising: 
 providing optical signals of at least two different wavelengths to a first WGM resonate structure;    coupling the optical signals which the first WGM resonate structure resonates for to the first WGM resonate structure;    coupling the optical signals from the first WGM resonate structure to an intermediary waveguide; and    coupling a single optical signal from the intermediary waveguide to a second WGM resonate structure.    
     
     
         358 . The method of  claim 357  the method further comprising coupling the single optical signal to an output waveguide.  
     
     
         359 . The method of  claim 357  wherein at least one of the WGM resonate structures is a microsphere.  
     
     
         360 . The method of  claim 357  the method further comprising providing the optical signals within a waveguide.  
     
     
         361 . The method of  claim 357  wherein the optical signals are within a channel within an optical telecommunications band.  
     
     
         362 . The method of  claim 357  the method further comprising applying a WGM control to switch “on/off” the WGM resonance of at least one of the WGM resonate structures.  
     
     
         363 . The method of  claim 362  wherein the WGM control is to adjust the index of refraction of at least one WGM resonate structure relative to the index of refraction of a medium surrounding at least one region where signal coupling to or from the at least one WGM resonate structure occurs.  
     
     
         364 . The method of  claim 359  the method further comprising applying a signal loss control to the WGM resonate structure, whereby the WGM resonance of the WGM resonate structure is disrupted by signal loss.  
     
     
         365 . A method to demultiplex different wavelength optical signals comprising: 
 providing optical signals of at least two different wavelengths within an input waveguide, to at least two wavelength specific optical filters each of which selects for a group of resonate signals;    coupling optical signals, which are the resonate signals for a WGM resonate structure, from the input waveguide to the corresponding optical filter; and    providing as output from each optical filter a signal of a specific wavelength.    
     
     
         366 . The method of  claim 365  the method further comprising coupling each specific wavelength output signal to a separate output waveguide.  
     
     
         367 . A method to demultiplex different wavelength optical signals comprising: 
 providing optical signals of at least two different wavelengths within an input waveguide, to at least two wavelength specific optical filters each of which selects for a group of resonate signals;    coupling optical signals, which are the resonate signals for a WGM resonate structure, from the input waveguide to the corresponding optical filter;    providing as output from each optical filter a signal of a specific wavelength;    coupling each specific wavelength output signal to a separate output waveguide;    coupling the specific wavelength output signal from each output waveguide to “m” optical switches; and    providing as output from each optical switch the specific wavelength output signal.    
     
     
         368 . The method of  claim 367  wherein each optical switch contains a WGM resonate structure.  
     
     
         369 . The method of  claim 367  the method further comprising switching the specific wavelength output signal from at least one optical switch to at least one tertiary waveguide.  
     
     
         370 . The method of  claim 368  the method further comprising applying a WGM control to at least one optical switch.  
     
     
         371 . The method of  claim 370  wherein the WGM control is to adjust the index of refraction of the WGM resonate structure within the optical switch.  
     
     
         372 . The method of  claim 370  wherein the WGM control is applied electronically by passing a flow of electricity across the WGM resonate structure within the optical switch.  
     
     
         373 . The method of  claim 370  wherein the WGM control is applied optically by directing an intense beam of light at the WGM resonate structure within the optical switch.  
     
     
         374 . An optical filter comprising: 
 an input waveguide;    an intermediary waveguide;    an output waveguide;    a first subfilter for a first group of resonate signals fixed proximate to the input waveguide and the intermediary waveguide; and    a second subfilter for a second specific group of resonate signals, one of which is also a resonate signal of the first optical switch, fixed proximate to the intermediary waveguide and the output waveguide.    
     
     
         375 . An optical filter comprising: 
 an input waveguide;    an intermediary waveguide;    an output waveguide;    a first subfilter, which can switch a first group of resonate signals, fixed proximate to the input waveguide and the intermediary waveguide;    a second subfilter, which can switch a second group of resonate signals, one of which is also a resonate signal of the first group of resonate signals, fixed proximate to the intermediary waveguide and the output waveguide; and    an “on/off” switching means for controlling at least one of the subfilters.    
     
     
         376 . An optical filter comprising: 
 an input waveguide;    a secondary structure which supports signal propagation;    a WGM resonate structure fixed at a region proximate to the input waveguide and the secondary structure;    a resonate structure-waveguide interface formed at each of the proximate regions,    a medium surrounding at least a portion of the WGM resonate structure at one of the resonate structure-waveguide interfaces; and    an “on/off” means for adjusting the index of refraction of at least that portion of the WGM resonate structure surrounded by medium.    
     
     
         377 . The optical filter of  claim 376  wherein the WGM resonate structure is a microsphere.  
     
     
         378 . The optical filter of  claim 377  wherein the diameter of the microsphere is between about 10 and 500 microns.  
     
     
         379 . The optical filter of  claim 377  wherein the diameter of the microsphere is between about 10 and about 250 microns.  
     
     
         380 . The optical filter of  claim 377  wherein the diameter of the microsphere is between about 10 and 200 microns.  
     
     
         381 . The optical filter of  claim 376  wherein the medium is selected from the group consisting of water, plastic, or air.  
     
     
         382 . The optical filter of  claim 376  wherein the WGM resonate structure is selected from the group consisting of stadiums, rings, hoops, oblate and prolate spheroids, discs or microspheres.  
     
     
         383 . The optical filter of  claim 376  wherein the secondary structure is selected from the group consisting of a waveguide, an optical fiber, a tapered optical fiber, a semi-conductor waveguide, a photonic band gap waveguide, a photonic crystal waveguide or a WGM resonate structure.  
     
     
         384 . The optical filter of  claim 376  wherein the “on/off” means is electrical, comprising a pair of electrodes each with a conductive lead, placed on either side of the microsphere.  
     
     
         385 . The optical filter of  claim 376  wherein the “on/off” means is optical, comprising an intense beam of light directed at the WGM resonate structure.  
     
     
         386 . The optical filter of  claim 385  wherein the intense beam of light is a laser beam.  
     
     
         387 . The optical filter of  claim 386  further comprising a Mach-Zender interferometer to generate the laser beam.  
     
     
         388 . The optical filter of  claim 377  further comprising an optically active material coating the microsphere whereby the index of refraction of the optically active material is the index of refraction of the resonate structure for purposes of adjusting the index of refraction of the resonate structure.  
     
     
         389 . The optical filter of  claim 388  wherein the optically active material is selected from the group consisting of molecules of liquid crystal, organic photorefractive polymers, GaAs, Nitrabenzene and LiNbO 3 .  
     
     
         390 . An optical filter comprising: 
 an optical fiber;    an area of reduced cladding on the optical fiber;    a secondary structure which supports signal propagation;    a WGM microsphere fixed at a region proximate to the area of reduced cladding and to the secondary structure;    a resonate structure-waveguide interface formed at each proximate region;    a medium, with a known index of refraction, surrounding at least a portion of the WGM microsphere at one or more of the resonate structure-waveguide interfaces;    a pair of electrodes each with a conductive contact lead, placed on either side of the WGM microsphere; and    a controller attached to the conductive leads whereby the flow of electricity to the conductive leads can be selected.    
     
     
         391 . A system to demultiplex optical signals: 
 “n” groups of optical filters, each of which contains a WGM resonate structure which resonates in WGM for a different group of resonate signals;    an input waveguide fixed at a region proximate to each of the “n” optical filters, whereby optical signals can propagate from the input waveguide to the optical filter;    “n” output waveguides each fixed at a region proximate to one of the “n” optical filters, whereby optical signals can propagate from an optical filter to an output waveguide;    a medium partially surrounding at least one of the WGM resonate structures at a proximate region; and    an “on/off” means for adjusting the index of refraction of the WGM resonate structure applied to at least one of the WGM resonate structures partially surrounded by medium, whereby the index of refraction of the WGM resonate structure at a proximate region can be adjusted to be substantially equal to the index of refraction of the medium.    
     
     
         392 . The system of  claim 391  further comprising a resonate structure-waveguide interface formed at each of the proximate regions.  
     
     
         393 . The system of  claim 391  wherein the “on/off” means to adjust the index of refraction is electrical.  
     
     
         394 . The system of  claim 393  the electrical “on/off” means for this comprising: 
 a pair of electrodes each with a conductive lead, placed on either side of the at least one WGM at resonant structure, whereby electrical power can pass across the resonate structure; and  
 a controller attached to the conductive leads, whereby the flow of electricity to the conductive leads can be selected.  
 
     
     
         395 . The system of  claim 391  wherein the “on/off” means to adjust the index of refraction is optical.  
     
     
         396 . The system of  claim 395 , the optical “on/off” means further comprising a laser beam directed at the at least one WGM resonate structure.  
     
     
         397 . The system of  claim 396  further comprising at least one Mach-Zender interferometer to produce each laser beam.  
     
     
         398 . The system of  claim 391  wherein the medium is selected from the group consisting of water, plastic, or air.  
     
     
         399 . The system of  claim 391  wherein at least one of the resonate structures is a microsphere.  
     
     
         400 . The system of  claim 392  wherein at least one of the input and output waveguides is an optical fiber with an area of reduced cladding at each resonate structure-waveguide interface.  
     
     
         401 . The system of  claim 400  wherein each optical fiber is tapered at the area of reduced cladding.  
     
     
         402 . The system of  claim 391  wherein each of the input and output waveguides is selected from the group consisting of an optical fiber, a tapered optical fiber, a semi-conductor waveguide, a photonic band gap waveguide or a photonic crystal waveguide.  
     
     
         403 . A system to demultiplex and multiplex optical signals comprising: 
 “n” groups of “m” redundant optical filters, each of the “m” redundant optical filters in each of the “n” groups contains a WGM resonate structure which resonates in WGM for the same group of resonate signals;    an input waveguide fixed at a region proximate to each optical filter, whereby optical signals can propagate from the input waveguide to the optical filter;    a medium partially surrounding at least one WGM resonate structure at a proximate region;    an “on/off” means which can be applied to at least one of the WGM resonate structures partially surrounded by medium, whereby the index of refraction of the WGM resonate structure at a proximate region can be adjusted to be substantially equal to the index of refraction of the medium; and    “m” output waveguides each fixed at a region proximate to one of the “m” optical filters in each of the “n” groups.    
     
     
         404 . A method of switching “on/off” an optical filter comprising: 
 coupling optical signals, which are the resonate signals of a WGM resonate structure that is at least partially surrounded by a medium at one or more region where signal coupling can occur;  
 coupling the optical signal from the WGM resonate structure to a secondary structure which supports signal propagation; and  
 selectively applying a WGM control to the WGM resonate structure whereby the filter is switched “off” by adjusting the index of refraction of the WGM resonate structure to substantially equal the index of refraction of the medium at one or more of the regions where signal coupling occurs.  
 
     
     
         405 . The method of  claim 404  wherein the WGM control is polarization of at least a portion of the resonate structure.  
     
     
         406 . The method of  claim 405  wherein the polarization is caused by passing electrical power across the resonate structure.  
     
     
         407 . The method of  claim 405  wherein the polarization is produced by directing an intense beam of light at the resonate structure.  
     
     
         408 . The method of  claim 404  the method further comprising supplying the optical signals within a waveguide.  
     
     
         409 . The method of  claim 408  wherein the optical signals are within an optical telecommunications band.  
     
     
         410 . The method of  claim 390  wherein the secondary structure is an output waveguide.  
     
     
         411 . The method of  claim 399  the method further comprising adding the optical signals to the output waveguide.  
     
     
         412 . A method to demultiplex optical signals: 
 providing optical signals of at least two different wavelengths within a single input waveguide to at least two optical filters each containing a WGM resonate structure, at least one of which is at least partially surrounded by a medium at one or more regions where signal coupling can occur;    coupling optical signals, which are the resonate signals for a WGM resonate structure, from the input waveguide to the corresponding optical filter;    selectively adjusting the index of refraction of at least one of the WGM resonate structures partially surrounded by medium, whereby the optical filter is switched “off” by adjusting the index of refraction of the WGM resonate structure to substantially equal the index of refraction of the medium at one or more of the regions where signal coupling occurs; and    providing as output signals, from each optical filter in which WGM resonance has not been switched “off”, the optical signals corresponding to the wavelengths of its resonate signals.    
     
     
         413 . The method of  claim 412  the method further comprising providing each of the output signals of each optical filter to a separate output waveguide.  
     
     
         414 . A method to demultiplex optical signals: 
 providing “n” optical signals of different wavelengths within a single input waveguide to “n” groups of “m” redundant optical filters, each of the “m” redundant optical filters in each of the “n” groups contains a WGM resonate structure which resonates in WGM for the same resonant signals and at least one of the WGM resonate structures is at least partially surrounded by a medium at one or more region where signal coupling can occur;    coupling optical signals, which are the resonate signals for a WOM resonate structure, from the input waveguide to the corresponding optical filter;    selectively adjusting the index of refraction of at least one of the WGM resonate structures partially surrounded by medium, whereby the optical filter is switched “off” by adjusting the index of refraction of the WGM resonate structure to substantially equal the index of refraction of the medium at one or more of the regions where signal coupling occurs; and    providing as output signals, from each of the “m” optical filters in which WGM resonance has not been switched “off ”, the optical signals corresponding to the wavelengths of its resonate signals.    
     
     
         415 . The method of  claim 412  the method further comprising multiplexing the output signals by providing “m” output waveguides, each waveguide being fixed proximate to one of the “m” optical filters in each of the “n” groups, whereby output signals from each of the “n” groups of optical filters may be coupled to one of the “m” output waveguides.  
     
     
         416 . An optical filter comprising: 
 a WGM resonate structure with a first proximate region to couple to one or more input signals;    a second proximate region of the WGM resonate structure to provide one or more output signals;    a medium surrounding at least one of the first and second proximate regions; and    an “on/off” control means for adjusting the index of refraction of the WGM resonate structure at one or more of the first and second proximate regions.    
     
     
         417 . The optical filter according to  claim 147 , wherein said “on/off” switching means comprises: 
 a binding agent on said WGM resonate structure; and  
 an analyte in a sample which is exposed to said binding agent;  
 wherein when said analyte binds with said binding agent on said WGM resonate structure, one of a change in frequency, attenuation and destruction of an optical signal is detected which triggers said “on/off” switching means.  
 
     
     
         418 . The optical filter according to  claim 417 , wherein said binding agent and said analyte are provided in pairs, and said binding agent/analyte pairs include: antigen/antibody, antibody/antigen, ligand/receptor, receptor/ligand, nucleic acid/nucleic acid.  
     
     
         419 . The optical filter according to  claim 417 , wherein said binding agent and said analyte include complexing agents, chelating agents, and chemical bonding agents.  
     
     
         420 . The optical filter according to  claim 147 , wherein said “on/off” switching means comprises: 
 a binding agent bound to an analyte on said WGM resonate structure; and  
 a sample which is exposed to said WGM resonate structure;  
 wherein said analyte is competed away from being bound to said binding agent when exposed to said sample, resulting in detection of said analyte by one of a change in frequency, attenuation and destruction of an optical signal, which triggers said “on/off” switching means.  
 
     
     
         421 . The optical filter according to  claim 420 , wherein said binding agent and said analyte are provided in pairs, and said binding agent/analyte pairs include: antigen/antibody, antibody/antigen, ligand/receptor, receptor/ligand, nucleic acid/nucleic acid.  
     
     
         422 . The optical filter according to  claim 420 , wherein said binding agent and said analyte include complexing agents, chelating agents, and chemical bonding agents.  
     
     
         423 . A method of switching “on/off” an optical filter, comprising: 
 coupling an optical signal to a WGM resonate structure having a binding agent thereon;  
 coupling the optical signal from said WGM resonate structure to a secondary structure which supports signal propagation; and  
 detecting a presence of an analyte by one of a change in frequency, attenuation, and destruction of said optical signal to trigger switching of said “on/off” optical filter.  
 
     
     
         424 . The method according to  claim 423 , wherein said detection of said analyte results when a binding agent on said WGM resonate structure is exposed to said analyte.  
     
     
         425 . The method according to  claim 423 , wherein said detection of said analyte results when a sample is exposed to said WGM resonate structure, and said analyte is competed away from being bound to a binding agent on said WGM resonate structure.  
     
     
         426 . The method according to  claim 424 , wherein said binding agent and said analyte are provided in pairs, and said binding agent/analyte pairs include: antigen/antibody, antibody/antigen, ligand/receptor, receptor/ligand, nucleic acid/nucleic acid.  
     
     
         426 . The method according to  claim 424 , wherein said binding agent and said analyte include complexing agents, chelating agents, and chemical bonding agents.  
     
     
         427 . The method according to  claim 425 , wherein said binding agent and said analyte are provided in pairs, and said binding agent/analyte pairs include: antigen/antibody, antibody/antigen, ligand/receptor, receptor/ligand, nucleic acid/nucleic acid.  
     
     
         428 . The method according to  claim 425 , wherein said binding agent and said analyte include complexing agents, chelating agents, and chemical bonding agents.