Variable optical attenuator arrays

A variable optical attenuator (VOA) array, comprising:

• a plurality of VOA modules, each VOA module comprising:
• an enclosure;
• a first collimator positioned on a first surface of the enclosure and coupled to an input optical fiber;
• a second collimator positioned on the first surface of the enclosure and coupled to an output optical fiber;
• a retroreflector within the enclosure to receive a light beam from the first collimator and reflect the light beam to the second collimator;
• a first attenuation element positioned between the first collimator and the retroreflector within the enclosure to provide variable attenuation to the light beam;
• a second attenuation element positioned between the retroreflector and the second collimator within the enclosure;
• and
• at least one adjustment element within the enclosure to move the first attenuation element and the second attenuation element.

A variable optical attenuator (VOA) array, comprising:

• a VOA array block comprising:
• an enclosure;
• and
• a plurality of VOA modules, each VOA module comprising:
• a first collimator positioned on a first surface of the enclosure and coupled to an input optical fiber;
• a second collimator positioned on the first surface of the enclosure and coupled to an output optical fiber;
• and
• a retroreflector within the enclosure to receive a light beam from the first collimator and reflect the light beam to the second collimator;
• an attenuation array block comprising:
• a plurality of first attenuation elements, wherein each first attenuation element of the plurality of first attenuation elements is connected to be positioned between the first collimator and the retroreflector of a respective VOA module;
• and
• a plurality of second attenuation elements, wherein each second attenuation element of the plurality of second attenuation elements is connected to be positioned between the retroreflector and the second collimator of a respective VOA module;
• and
• an adjustment array block comprising:
• a plurality of first adjustment elements, wherein each first adjustment element of the plurality of first adjustment elements is to move a corresponding first attenuation element of the plurality of first attenuation elements;
• and
• a plurality of second adjustment elements, wherein each second adjustment element of the plurality of second adjustment elements is to move a corresponding second attenuation element of the plurality of second attenuation elements.