Controllable optical attenuator
US6400885B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 18, 2000 |
| Grant date | Jun 4, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 18, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B6/3596
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A controllable optical attenuator comprising an optical waveguide which extends longitudinally along the optical attenuator. The optical waveguide has an exposed surface and a core that is positioned directly adjacent the exposed surface. The attenuator further comprises at least one elongated chamber which is formed transversely to the longitudinal extent of the optical waveguide and a liquid droplet which is disposed within the elongated chamber, the droplet being movable along the chamber from a position lateral of the optical waveguide exposed surface to a position in which contact is made between the liquid droplet and the optical waveguide exposed surface. When the liquid droplet is positioned so as to contact the exposed surface of the optical waveguide, a portion of the optical signal transmitted along the waveguide core is absorbed by the droplet so as to attenuate the transmitted signal.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.