Blockless fiber optic attenuators and attenuation systems employing dispersion tailored polymers

Abstract

Controllable fiber optic attenuators and attenuation systems are disclosed for controllably extracting optical energy from a fiber optic, and therefore attenuating the optical signal being transmitted through the fiber optic. In one aspect, material is removed from a portion of the fiber optic, thereby exposing a surface through which optical energy can be extracted. The portion of the fiber is suspended between two support points, and a controllable material is formed over the surface for controllably extracting optical energy according to a changeable stimulus applied thereto, which affects the refractive index thereof. In one embodiment, the changeable stimulus is temperature, and a controllable heating/cooling source can be provided in the attenuator for control of the attenuation. The limited amount of thermal contact between the suspended, side-polished portion of the fiber optic and the controllable material to surrounding structures offers a more predictable response, and improved response time. The controllable material, in one embodiment, may be a dispersion controlled (e.g., matched) polymer, offering uniform spectral characteristics of attenuation across a wavelength band of interest.

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