Variable optical attenuator
US6978076B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 5, 2003 |
| Grant date | Dec 20, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 24, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02F2203/48
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A variable optical attenuator is constituted of input/output optical systems, a birefringent member provided at output sides of the input/output optical systems, a liquid-crystal member capable of individually varying polarizing states of input beams exiting the birefringent member, and a reflection member which reflects light passing through the liquid-crystal member, to thereby cause the light to return to an output lens of the input/output optical systems by way of the liquid-crystal member and the birefringent member. Thus, there can be provided a variable optical attenuator which is more compact and less expensive than a related-art variable optical attenuator.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.