Expanded beam optical attenuator

An attenuator for optical signals comprising:

• a base;
• a first optic fiber;
• a first ferrule holding said first optic fiber;
• a second optic fiber;
• a second ferrule holding said second optic fiber;
• and
• a holder moveably attached to said base, said holder engaging said second ferrule, such that said holder permits a user to adjust a relative placement between said first ferrule and said second ferrule, wherein adjusting the relative placement between said first ferrule and said second ferrule changes attenuation of said attenuator, wherein said first ferrule includes a first lens at one end attached to said first optic fiber, and said second ferrule includes a second lens at an end thereof attached to said second optic fiber, and wherein said first lens faces to said second lens across a gap.

A method of assembling an optical signal attenuator comprising:

• attaching a first optic fiber to a first lens;
• attaching a second optic fiber to a second lens;
• attaching the first lens to a base;
• attaching the second lens to the base so that the second lens faces to the first lens across a gap;
• and
• changing the relative placement of the first and second lens until a desired signal attenuation is achieved, wherein the first lens is attached to a first ferrule and the second lens is attached to a second ferrule, and wherein said step of changing the relative placement includes displacing the second ferrule.