Patent · US Expired

High-resolution variable optical attenuator with mechanical adjustment

US6580868B2 · kind B2 · utility

3Cited by
14References
16Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMar 19, 2001
Grant dateJun 17, 2003
Priority date—
Expiry dateAug 24, 2021

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG02B6/266
  • WIPO fieldOptics
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A mechanically-adjustable variable optical attenuator includes a beam attenuator shaped as a concave quasi-cone. The beam attenuator has a sharp tip and a base, and can be rotationally symmetric with respect to a central axis extending between the tip and the base. The beam attenuator is positioned with its central axis perpendicular to the direction of the light beam to be attenuated. The extent of the beam attenuator obstructing the light beam is varied by moving the beam attenuator into and out of the light beam. The inwardly-curving, quasi-cone shape of the beam attenuator allows achieving a high resolution while limiting the beam attenuator size.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.