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).
申请公布号
WO0171402(A1)
申请公布日期
2001.09.27
申请号
WO2001US08750
申请日期
2001.03.16
申请人
XROS, INC.;NEUKERMANS, ARMAND, P.;RAMASWAMI, RAJIV;HEANUE, JOHN, F.;TREMAINE, BRIAN, P.;SCHUMAN, MARC
发明人
NEUKERMANS, ARMAND, P.;RAMASWAMI, RAJIV;HEANUE, JOHN, F.;TREMAINE, BRIAN, P.;SCHUMAN, MARC