Variable optical attenuator
AssigneeOptiwork, Inc.
InventorsJian J Chen, Jianhua Wang
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A mechanically-adjustable variable optical attenuator includes an azimuthally-tapering, rotatable beam attenuator. In a plane perpendicular to the light beam to be attenuated, the projection of the beam attenuator comprises a sharp distal tip, a proximal region, and a concave curved light-blocking surface narrowing from the proximal region to the distal tip. The extent of the beam attenuator obstructing the light beam is varied by rotating the beam attenuator about a rotation axis perpendicular to the light beam direction. The beam attenuator geometry allows achieving high resolutions while limiting the beam attenuator size. The attenuated light beam can be a single-mode or multi-mode light beam.
Claims13
A variable optical attenuator for attenuating a longitudinal light beam, comprising:
- a rotatable beam attenuator for attenuating the light beam, wherein
- a projection of the beam attenuator onto a plane perpendicular to the light beam includes a proximal region, a distal tip, and a concave curved light-blocking surface extending between the proximal region and the distal tip,
- the blocking surface narrows from the proximal region to the distal tip, and
- an outer surface of the beam attenuator forms an azimuthally-tapering section of a cylindrical shell centered about a rotation axis perpendicular to the longitudinal light beam;
- and
- a motor coupled to the beam attenuator, for rotating the beam attenuator about the rotation axis so as to vary an attenuation of the light beam caused by the beam attenuator.
A variable optical attenuator for attenuating a longitudinal light beam, comprising a rotatable beam attenuator and a motor coupled to the beam attenuator for rotating the beam attenuator, wherein a projection of the beam attenuator onto a plane perpendicular to the light beam comprises a proximal region, a distal tip, and a concave curved light-blocking surface extending between the proximal region and the distal tip.
A method of variably attenuating a longitudinal light beam, comprising the steps of:
- directing the light beam onto a rotatable beam attenuator for attenuating the light beam, wherein
- a projection of the beam attenuator onto a plane perpendicular to the light beam includes a proximal region, a distal tip, and a concave curved light-blocking surface extending between the proximal region and the distal tip,
- the blocking surface narrows from the proximal region to the distal tip, and
- an outer surface of the beam attenuator forms an azimuthally-tapering section of a cylindrical shell centered about a rotation axis perpendicular to the longitudinal light beam;
- and
- rotating the beam attenuator about the rotation axis for varying an extent of the light blocking surface blocking the light beam.
An optical system comprising:
- an optical source for generating a light beam;
- a variable optical attenuator optically connected to the light source, for receiving and variably attenuating the light beam, comprising:
- a rotatable beam attenuator for attenuating the light beam, wherein
- a projection of the beam attenuator onto a plane perpendicular to the light beam includes a proximal region, a distal tip, and a concave curved light-blocking surface extending between the proximal region and the distal tip,
- the blocking surface narrows from the proximal region to the distal tip, and
- an outer surface of the beam attenuator forms an azimuthally-tapering section of a cylindrical shell centered about a rotation axis perpendicular to the longitudinal light beam;
- and
- a motor coupled to the beam attenuator, for rotating the beam attenuator about the rotation axis so as to vary an attenuation of the light beam caused by the beam attenuator;
- and
- an optical receiver optically connected to the variable optical attenuator, for receiving the light beam after passage through the variable optical attenuator.
A variable optical attenuator for attenuating a longitudinal light beam, comprising:
- an optical input for receiving the light beam;
- an optical output for transmitting the light beam;
- and
- a movable beam-blocking attenuator positioned in a path of the light beam between the optical input and the optical output, wherein, in a plane substantially perpendicular to a direction of propagation of the light beam at the attenuator, the attenuator has a projection having a proximal region, a distal tip, and a concave-curved boundary extending between the proximal region and the distal tip, the projection narrowing from the proximal region to the distal tip.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.