Variable attenuation of free-space light beams
US6961506B2 · kind B2 · utility
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 16, 2001 |
| Grant date | Nov 1, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 5, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B6/3594
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
One aspect is a method for controllably attenuating the beam of light (108) coupled between incoming and outgoing optical fibers (106) by misaligning minor surfaces (116a, 116b) included of an optical switching module (100). Misalignment of the mirror surfaces (116a and 116b) causes only a portion of the beam of light (108) propagating along the incoming optical fiber (106), which is less than when the light beam deflectors' mirror surfaces (116) are precisely aligned, to propagate along the outgoing optical fiber (108). Thus, the optical switching module (100) controllably attenuates the beam of light (108) coupled between the incoming and the outgoing optical fibers (106). Another aspect is a variable-optical-attenuator (“VOA”) (212) that includes an optically reflective membrane (222) upon which the beam of light (108) impinges. Application of an electrostatic field between an adjacent electrode (228) and the membrane (222) deforms the membrane (222) thereby attenuating an impinging beam of light (108).
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.