Blockless fiber optic attenuators and attenuation systems employing dispersion tailored polymers
US6335998B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 20, 2001 |
| Grant date | Jan 1, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 20, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B6/02219
- WIPO fieldBasic materials chemistry
- WIPO sectorChemistry
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. The portion of the fiber is suspended between two support points, and 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 one embodiment, the changeable stimulus is temperature, and a controllable heating/cooling source can be provided in the attenuator for control of the attenuation. The limited amount of thermal contact between the suspended, side-polished portion of the fiber optic and the controllable material to surrounding structures offers a more predictable response, and improved response time. The controllable material, in one embodiment, may be a dispersion controlled (e.g., matched) polymer, offering uniform spectral characteristics of attenuation across a wavelength ba…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.