Fiber optic attenuators and attenuation systems
US5966493A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 20, 1998 |
| Grant date | Oct 12, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 20, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02F1/0147
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Controllable fiber optic attenuators and attenuation systems are disclosed for controllably extracting optical energy from a fiber optic, and therefore attenuating the optical signal being transmitted through the fiber optic. In one aspect, material is removed from a portion of the fiber optic, thereby exposing a surface through which optical energy can be extracted. A controllable material is formed over the surface for controllably extracting optical energy according to a changeable stimulus applied thereto, which affects the refractive index thereof. In an improved embodiment, a controllable material is formed over the exposed surface for controlling the amount of optical energy extracted from the fiber optic, and a bulk material is formed over the controllable material, into which the extracted optical energy is radiated. The controllable material has a controllable index of refraction approximately matching the index of refraction of the cladding of the fiber optic, and the bulk material formed over the controllable material has a fixed index of refraction higher than the effective mode index of refraction of the fiber optic. This cladding-driven design varies the effective op…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.