초록 ▼

Disclosed is a variable optical attenuator comprising: a transmitting fiber for transmitting light; a receiving fiber concentrically placed with said transmitting fiber for absorbing light; a shutter between said transmitting fiber and said receiving fiber for absorbing light to adjust optical trans

Disclosed is a variable optical attenuator comprising: a transmitting fiber for transmitting light; a receiving fiber concentrically placed with said transmitting fiber for absorbing light; a shutter between said transmitting fiber and said receiving fiber for absorbing light to adjust optical transmittance; and an actuator for driving said shutter. The size and price of the optical attenuator is remarkably reduced compared to a conventional mechanical connector-type attenuator to provide an article excellent in competitive edge.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A variable optical attenuator comprising:spaced transmitting and receiving fibers aligned for optical communication;a shutter between said transmitting fiber and said receiving fiber to adjust optical transmittance; andan actuator for driving said shutter;said shutter having an optical axis and c

1. A variable optical attenuator comprising:spaced transmitting and receiving fibers aligned for optical communication;a shutter between said transmitting fiber and said receiving fiber to adjust optical transmittance; andan actuator for driving said shutter;said shutter having an optical axis and comprising:a substantially rectangular internal total-reflection area;an external reflection area formed from said internal total-reflection area, and a surface of the external reflection area adjacent to said transmitting fiber inclined at a predetermined angle to the optical axis;an extinguishing area formed from said internal total-reflection area, and having an inclined surface at a predetermined angle to at least one side of surfaces adjacent to said transmitting fiber and said receiving fiber, and a surface of the external reflection area adjacent to said transmitting fiber inclined at a predetermined angle to the optical axis; andan extinguishing area formed from said internal total-reflection area, and having an inclined surface at a predetermined angle to at least one side of surfaces adjacent to said transmitting fiber and said receiving fiber. 2. A variable optical attenuator comprising:a transmitting fiber for transmitting light;a receiving fiber concentrically placed with said transmitting fiber for absorbing light;a shutter between said transmitting fiber and said receiving fiber for absorbing light to adjust optical transmittance; andan actuator for driving said shutter;wherein said shutter is made of silicon. 3. A variable optical attenuator comprising:a transmitting fiber for transmitting light;a receiving fiber concentrically placed with said transmitting fiber for absorbing light;a shutter between said transmitting fiber and said receiving fiber for absorbing light to adjust optical transmittance; andan actuator for driving said shutter;wherein said shutter functions as a waveguide. 4. A variable optical attenuator comprising:a transmitting fiber for transmitting light;a receiving fiber concentrically placed with said transmitting fiber for absorbing light;a shutter between said transmitting fiber and said receiving fiber for absorbing light to adjust optical transmittance; andan actuator for driving said shutter;wherein said shutter reflects a portion of light into a direction having no relation to an optical axis, and absorbs the remaining portion of light to extinguish light at a place having no relation to said transmitting or receiving fiber. 5. A variable optical attenuator comprising:a transmitting fiber for transmitting light;a receiving fiber concentrically placed with said transmitting fiber for absorbing light;a shutter between said transmitting fiber and said receiving fiber for absorbing light to adjust optical transmittance; andan actuator for driving said shutter;wherein said shutter reflects about 30% of light and absorbs about 70% of incident light. 6. A variable optical attenuator comprising:a transmitting fiber for transmitting light;a receiving fiber concentrically placed with said transmitting fiber for absorbing light;a shutter between said transmitting fiber and said receiving fiber for absorbing light to adjust optical transmittance; andan actuator for driving said shutter;wherein said shutter comprises an external reflection area, an internal total-reflection area and an extinguishing area from a leading end. 7. The variable optical attenuator according to claim 6, wherein said external reflection area is shaped as a wedge, and said internal total-reflection area and said extinguishing area are shaped as a rectangle. 8. The variable optical attenuator according to claim 6, wherein said external reflection area and said extinguishing area are shaped as a wedge, and said internal total-reflection area is shaped as a rectangle.