Patent ID: 6181846
Filing Date: 2001-01-30
Classification: G02B,G02F

Abstract:
A fiberoptic liquid crystal on-off switch and variable attenuator comprisinga sleeve having a central longitudinal channel and an end face;first and second optical fiber cores fixed in said channel, each of said cores defined by cladding material around said core;a birefringent crystal proximate said sleeve end face;a collimating GRIN lens having first and second end faces, said first end face proximate said sleeve end face and said birefringent crystal;a liquid crystal cell proximate said second face of said GRIN lens, said liquid crystal cell having electrical terminals and in a first state or a second state responsive to preselected voltages applied to said electrical terminals; anda mirror element proximate liquid crystal cell, said end facets, said birefringent crystal, said GRIN lens, said liquid crystal cell and said mirror element arranged and oriented with respect to each other so that light from said first optical fiber core passes through, and back from, said first birefringent crystal, said GRIN lens, said liquid crystal cell and said mirror element into said optical fiber second core when said liquid crystal cell is in said first state, and light from said first optical fiber core passes through, and back from, said first birefringent crystal, said GRIN lens, said liquid crystal cell and said mirror element, but not into said second optical fiber core when said liquid crystal cell is in said second state.