METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR SELECTIVE ATTENUATION IN AN OPTICAL COMMUNICATION USING ELECTROCHROMIC MATERIAL

摘要

Disclosed methods and apparatus for processing optical signals in a communications network to adjust or reset the power level of a signal employ a body of electrochromic material disposed along an optical communication signal propagation path. An optical communication signal travelling along the propagation path is attenuated using the body of electrochromic material. The body preferably is switchable between at least two color states through selective application of a voltage potential in such a way as to affect the body, producing each of the at least two color states permitting at least attenuated passage through the body of the optical communication signal. Applications for the present invention include, for example, the selective attenuation of constituent WDM optical communication signals through the use of multiplexers and/or demultiplexers.