WAVEGUIDE TYPE LIQUID CRYSTAL VARIABLE LIGHT ATTENUATOR

摘要

A waveguide type liquid crystal variable light attenuator (10) used in the optical communication field. It is possible to provide an array at a low cost, have a high reliability without any movable portion, and suppress the power consumption and polarization dependent loss (PDL) to a low value. The waveguide type liquid crystal variable light attenuator (10) includes an optical waveguide having a main core (1) for inputting and outputting light and a sub-core (4) filled with nematic liquid crystal and arranged in the vicinity of the main core (1). By changing the refraction factor of the sub-core (4), the light propagating in the main core (1) is attenuated.