High-resolution variable optical attenuator with mechanical adjustment
AssigneeOptiwork, Inc.
InventorsJian J. Chen, Jianhua Wang
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A mechanically-adjustable variable optical attenuator includes a beam attenuator shaped as a concave quasi-cone. The beam attenuator has a sharp tip and a base, and can be rotationally symmetric with respect to a central axis extending between the tip and the base. The beam attenuator is positioned with its central axis perpendicular to the direction of the light beam to be attenuated. The extent of the beam attenuator obstructing the light beam is varied by moving the beam attenuator into and out of the light beam. The inwardly-curving, quasi-cone shape of the beam attenuator allows achieving a high resolution while limiting the beam attenuator size.
Claims16
A variable optical attenuator for attenuating a longitudinal light beam, comprising:
- a) a generally transverse beam attenuator for attenuating the light beam, the beam attenuator including a proximal end, a distal tip, and a concave curved light-blocking surface extending between the proximal end and the distal tip, the blocking surface narrowing from the proximal region to the distal tip;
- and
- b) a control device coupled to the beam attenuator, for controlling a motion of the beam attenuator so as to vary an attenuation of the light beam caused by the beam attenuator, whereby the optical attenuator has a variable resolution depending on an extent of the blocking surface blocking the light beam.
A variable optical attenuator for attenuating a longitudinal light beam, comprising:
- a) a generally transverse beam attenuating member for attenuating the light beam, the attenuating member having a proximal end, a distal tip, and a concave curved blocking surface extending between the proximal end and the distal tip, the blocking surface narrowing from the proximal end toward the distal tip, the blocking surface being rotationally symmetric with respect to a transverse central axis of the beam attenuator;
- and
- b) a generally transverse guide coupled to the attenuating member, for controlling a transverse motion of the attenuating member so as to vary an attenuation of the light beam caused by the attenuating member, whereby the optical attenuator has a variable resolution depending on an extent of the blocking surface blocking the light beam.
A variable optical attenuator for attenuating a longitudinal light beam, comprising a generally transverse beam attenuator having a distal tip, a transverse cross-section of the beam attenuator being bounded by two inwardly curving boundaries terminating at the distal tip.
A variable optical attenuator for attenuating a longitudinal light beam, comprising a generally transverse beam-attenuating member for attenuating the light beam, the attenuating member having a blocking surface shaped as a concave quasi-cone terminating in a distal tip.
A method of variably attenuating a longitudinal light beam, comprising the steps of:
- a) directing the light beam onto a generally transverse beam-attenuating member for attenuating the light beam, the attenuating member including a proximal region and a concave curved blocking region having a distal tip, the blocking region extending between the proximal region and the distal tip, the blocking region narrowing from the proximal region toward the distal tip;
- and
- b) transversely moving the attenuating member for varying an extent of the concave blocking region blocking the light beam, thus varying an attenuation of the light beam caused by the attenuating member.
An optical system comprising:
- a) an optical source for generating a light beam;
- b) a variable optical attenuator optically connected to the light source, for receiving and variably attenuating the light beam, comprising:
- a generally transverse beam attenuator for attenuating the light beam, the attenuator including a proximal region and a concave curved blocking region having a distal tip, the blocking region extending between the proximal region and the distal tip, the blocking region narrowing from the proximal region toward the distal tip;
- and
- a control device coupled to the beam attenuator, for controlling a motion of the beam attenuator so as to vary an attenuation of the light beam caused by the beam attenuator, whereby the attenuator has a variable resolution depending on an extent of the concave blocking region blocking the light beam;
- and
- c) an optical receiver optically connected to the variable optical attenuator, for receiving the light beam after passage through the variable optical attenuator.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.