Optical waveguides – Accessories – Attenuator
Patent
1993-09-14
1997-06-24
Dzierzynski, Paul M.
Optical waveguides
Accessories
Attenuator
385902, 359230, 359234, 359236, 359894, 600180, 600181, G02B 2602
Patent
active
056424566
ABSTRACT:
The present invention provides a variable attenuator for an optical transmission system having a disc-like masking plate with apertures (or image zones) formed in an arcuate control area at the periphery of the plate. Within each aperture, at least one opaque masking member is provided extending outward from the origin to the perimeter of the aperture and having a masking surface with an incremental masking area which continuously increases in magnitude with increasing radial length of the aperture. The perpendicular cross-section of each masking member with respect to the optical axis preferably forms a geometric shape having straight-line edges extending radially outward from the origin of the aperture. In the preferred embodiment, a plurality of masking members are utilized (as a pair or sets of pairs). The disc-like masking plate is inserted perpendicularly into the path of the light beam such that the optical axis of the light beam defines a movement axis about the periphery of the masking plate upon which the origin of each aperture is placed. In this manner, rotation of the masking plate around its center provides discrete levels of attenuation of the light beam as successive apertures are placed in the path of the light beam. Several alternate embodiment enable gradual adjustment of the level of attenuation using a plurality of masking plates each having a single aperture with at least one masking member disposed therein. In these embodiments, the masking plates are disposed perpendicularly at predetermined intervals along the optical axis of the light beam and are independently rotated about the optical axis so as to vary the total masked area of the light beam's spot image by overlapping of the masking members.
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Baker Glenn
Brenner Douglas
Gourgouliatos Zafirios
Li Kenneth
Strobl Karlheinz
Cogent Light Technologies Inc.
Dzierzynski Paul M.
Jr. John Juba
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