A free-space MCS may include an input port to launch a beam of light, N output ports, a beam splitter to split the beam of light into N portions, and a deflector array including N deflectors aligned in an array direction. Each deflector may have an active region with a size in the array direction that matches a size in the array direction of a portion, of the N portions, incident thereon. The free-space MCS may include first beam shaping optics to form a first elliptical beam spot at the beam splitter with a major axis substantially perpendicular to the switching direction, and an angle-to-offset element to direct each of the N portions from the beam splitter to a different deflector of the N deflectors. Each of the N portions may have, at the deflector, a second elliptical beam spot with a major axis substantially parallel to the switching direction.