Optical attenuator using an optical fiber and method and apparatus for producing the same
US5321790A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 2, 1992 |
| Grant date | Jun 14, 1994 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 2, 2012 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B6/3845
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An optical attenuator comprising an optical fiber and at least a light attenuating portion disposed on the optical fiber. The light attenuating portion is formed such that a part of the optical fiber is heated by an opposing pair of discharge electrodes or gas burners and then compressed in the axial direction to provide a spherically contoured light attenuating portion or pulled in the axial direction to provide a light attenuating portion having a reduced diameter. In addition, a method and an apparatus for producing an optical fiber of the foregoing type are disclosed. The method is practiced by way of the steps of heating a part of an optical fiber and then physically deforming the heated part to serve as a light attenuating portion by compressing or pulling it in the axial direction. The apparatus includes as essential components a stationary clamp jig, and a movable clamp jig arranged opposite to the stationary clamp jig and an opposing pair of discharge electrodes or gas burners for heating a part of the optical fiber. The movable clamp jig is displaced toward or away from the stationary clamp jig by rotationally actuating a micrometer.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.