Patent · US Expired

Variable optical attenuator

US6714716B2 · kind B2 · utility

1Cited by
6References
13Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJun 28, 2002
Grant dateMar 30, 2004
Priority date—
Expiry dateSep 26, 2022

Classification

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

Abstract

A mechanically-adjustable variable optical attenuator includes an azimuthally-tapering, rotatable beam attenuator. In a plane perpendicular to the light beam to be attenuated, the projection of the beam attenuator comprises a sharp distal tip, a proximal region, and a concave curved light-blocking surface narrowing from the proximal region to the distal tip. The extent of the beam attenuator obstructing the light beam is varied by rotating the beam attenuator about a rotation axis perpendicular to the light beam direction. The beam attenuator geometry allows achieving high resolutions while limiting the beam attenuator size. The attenuated light beam can be a single-mode or multi-mode light beam.

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