Variable Optical Attenuator with Shutter Type MEMS
AssigneeII-VI Photonics, Inc.
InventorsJiangming Lin, Baozhong Zheng, Yunbing Xu, Yang Li
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Abstract
In a variable optical attenuator (VOA) and a method of variably optically attenuating a light beam, a input lens receives an input light beam and an output lens outputs an output light beam. A mirror reflects the input light beam as the output light beam. The mirror or a moveable element is movable in a manner to block, pass, and/or reflect at least a portion of the light included in the input light beam and the output light beam, whereupon the output light beam has reduced or increased brightness or intensity versus the input light beam.
Claims9
A variable optical attenuator (VOA) comprising:
- a lens means for receiving an input light beam and for outputting an output light beam;
- a reflector or mirror for reflecting the input light beam as the output light beam;
- and
- a moveable element that is movable, at least partially, into or out of a path of at least one of the input light beam and the output light beam between the lens means and the reflector or mirror for blocking at least a portion of the at least one of the input light beam and the output light beam.
A method of variably optically attenuating a light beam comprising:
- (a) passing an input light beam through a first lens;
- (b) reflecting, by a reflector or mirror, at least a portion of the input light beam of step (a) as an output light beam;
- (c) positioning a moveable element at least partially in a path of at least one of the input light beam and the output light beam;
- and
- (d) outputting at least a portion of the output light beam through a second lens.
A variable optical attenuator (VOA) comprising:
- a lens means for receiving an input light beam and for outputting an output light beam;
- and
- a reflector or mirror for reflecting the input light beam as the output light beam, wherein the reflector or mirror is movable, at least partially, into or out of a path of the input light beam.
A method of variably optically attenuating a light beam comprising;
- (a) passing an input light beam through a first lens;
- (b) reflecting, by a reflector or mirror, at least a portion of the input light beam of step (a) as an output light beam;
- (c) moving the reflector or mirror at least partially into or out of a path of the input light beam;
- and
- (d) outputting at least a portion of the output light beam through a second lens.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.