A MOEMS (optical MEMS ) is a MEMS (Micro Electromechanical Systems) with an optical fiber channel that takes light generated from a laser diode. It also has a photo detector that measures light intensity variations and outputs voltage variations proportional to small mechanical device deflections. Additionally, a voltage input is capable of deflecting the device. The apparatus can be used as an optical switch or as a variable optical attenuator, and it does not exceed 2000 μm in any dimension.