Tilted-translation variable optical attenuator
US6904223B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 4, 2003 |
| Grant date | Jun 7, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 25, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B6/266
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
In a preferred embodiment, a motorized variable optical attenuator comprises an input fiber collimator; an output fiber collimator disposed substantially along the first collimator; and a right-angle reflector movable relative to the input collimator and the output collimator along a translation direction forming a non-zero angle with a direction of a light beam emitted by the input collimator. The reflector comprises two mutually-perpendicular reflective surfaces for sequentially reflecting the light beam emitted by the input collimator to the output collimator. A variable attenuation imparted by the attenuator on the light beam is determined by a position of the reflector relative to the input collimator and the output collimator, along the translation direction. The reflector preferably comprises a right-angle prism adhered to a nut mounted on a threaded axle driven by a stepper motor. The attenuator can achieve stable, ripple-free attenuation characteristics at insertion losses beyond −40 dB.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.