Variable optical attenuator with polarization compensation

A method for providing an optical attenuator for attenuating an incident optical beam, the method comprising:

• providing a first attenuating device having a polarization dependent attenuation characteristic with a first preferred orientation substantially in the same direction as a varying attenuation characteristic of the first attenuating device or substantially perpendicular thereto, and
• providing a second attenuating device having a polarization dependent attenuation characteristic with a second preferred orientation substantially in the same direction as a varying attenuation characteristic of the second attenuating device or substantially perpendicular thereto, whereby the two attenuating devices are arranged with respect to each other in a way that the preferred orientations of the polarization dependent attenuation characteristics substantially compensate each other, at least partially in defined locations.

A method for manufacturing an optical attenuator for attenuating an incident optical beam, the method comprising:

• depositing or coating a first attenuating material in a way that a polarization dependent attenuation characteristic with a first preferred orientation substantially in the same direction as a varying attenuation characteristic of the first attenuating material or substantially perpendicular thereto results, and
• depositing or coating a second attenuating material in a way that a polarization dependent attenuation characteristic with a second preferred orientation substantially in the same direction as a varying attenuation characteristic of the second attenuating material or substantially perpendicular thereto results, whereby the directions of the two depositing or coating steps are arranged with respect to each other in a way that the preferred orientations of the polarization dependent attenuation characteristics substantially compensate each other, at least partially in defined locations.