公开(公告)号：CA2401563A1

公开(公告)日：2001-09-27

申请号：CA2401563

申请日：2001-03-16

Applicant: XROS INC

Inventor： RAMASWAMI RAJIV ,  HEANUE JOHN F ,  SCHUMAN MARC ,  TREMAINE BRIAN P ,  NEUKERMANS ARMAND P

IPC: G02B6/26 ,  G02B6/35 ,  G02B26/08

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 electrod e (228) and the membrane (222) deforms the membrane (222) thereby attenuating an impinging beam of light (108).

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

Inventor： NEUKERMANS ARMAND P ,  RAMASWAMI RAJIV ,  HEANUE JOHN F ,  TREMAINE BRIAN P ,  SCHUMAN MARC

IPC: G02B6/26 ,  G02B6/35 ,  G02B26/08

CPC classification number: G02B6/359 ,  G02B6/266 ,  G02B6/352 ,  G02B6/3556 ,  G02B6/356 ,  G02B6/357 ,  G02B6/3588 ,  G02B6/3594

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).