MECHANICALLY ADJUSTABLE FIBER OPTIC ATTENUATOR AND METHOD EMPLOYING SAME

摘要

Mechanically adjustable fiber optic attenuators and attenuation systems are disclosed for adjustably extracting optical energy from a fiber optic, a nd therefore attenuating the optical signal being transmitted through the fiber optic. In one aspect, material is removed from a portion of the fiber optic, there by exposing a surface through which optical energy can be extracted. A cylindrical- shaped preform is selectively positioned into and out of engagement, e.g., physical contact, with the interaction surface of the side-polished fiber fo r adjustably extracting the optical energy.