Fused fiber optic attenuator having axially overlapping fiber end portions
US5285516A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 18, 1992 |
| Grant date | Feb 8, 1994 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 18, 2012 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B6/266
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method for fabricating single-mode and multi-mode attenuators characterized by a high level of wavelength insensitivity. A light source is connected to one end of a fiber and the other end is connected to an optical power meter. The optical power meter is set to a 0 dB reference. The fiber is then cut and the cut ends cleaved to define first and second segments. The ends of the segments are offset and overlapped by an axial distance that is large relative to the fiber diameter. The overlapping ends are heated so that they assume a fused state, and the relative axial positioning of the fiber ends while they are in the plastic state is adjusted to achieve the desired degree of attenuation, as indicated on the meter.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.