VARIABLE ATTENUATION OF FREE-SPACE LIGHT BEAMS
    21.
    发明公开
    VARIABLE ATTENUATION OF FREE-SPACE LIGHT BEAMS 审中-公开
    可变阻尼空间BEAMS

    公开(公告)号:EP1281095A4

    公开(公告)日:2005-07-06

    申请号:EP01920523

    申请日:2001-03-16

    Applicant: XROS INC

    Abstract: One aspect is a method for controllably attenuating the beam of light (108) coupled between incoming and outgoing optical fibers (106) by misaligning mirror surfaces (116a, 116b) included of an optical switching module (100). Misalignment of the mirror surfaces (116a and 116b) causes only a portion of the beam of light (108) propagating along the incoming optical fiber (106), which is less than when the light beam deflectors' mirror surfaces (116) are precisely aligned, to propagate along the outgoing optical fiber (108). Thus, the optical switching module (100) controllably attenuates the beam of light (108) coupled between the incoming and the outgoing optical fibers (106). Another aspect is a variable-optical-attenuator ('VOA') (212) that includes an optically reflective membrane (222) upon which the beam of light (108) impinges. Application of an electrostatic field between an adjacent electrode (228) and the membrane (222) deforms the membrane (222) thereby attenuating an impinging beam of light (108).

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