Patent ID: 6714716
Filing Date: 2004-03-30
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
A variable optical attenuator for attenuating a longitudinal light beam, comprising:a rotatable beam attenuator for attenuating the light beam, wherein a projection of the beam attenuator onto a plane perpendicular to the light beam includes a proximal region, a distal tip, and a concave curved light-blocking surface extending between the proximal region and the distal tip, the blocking surface narrows from the proximal region to the distal tip, and an outer surface of the beam attenuator forms an azimuthally-tapering section of a cylindrical shell centered about a rotation axis perpendicular to the longitudinal light beam; and a motor coupled to the beam attenuator, for rotating the beam attenuator about the rotation axis so as to vary an attenuation of the light beam caused by the beam attenuator.