Patent ID: 6459845
Filing Date: 2002-10-01
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
A variable optical attenuator comprising:a transmission fiber for transmitting beams of light; a reception fiber arranged on the same axis with the transmission fiber and receiving the light beams transmitted by the transmission fiber; a variable shutter arranged between the transmission and reception fibers, and moving vertically to cut off or transmit the light beams, thereby controlling an amount of attenuation, the variable shutter cutting off the light to have a maximum amount of attenuation at an initial position; a comb actuator for driving the variable shutter; and a spring for generating a spring force to return the variable shutter to its initial position, the spring force not being applied in the initial position having the maximum amount of attenuation when a drive voltage is not applied to the comb actuator, and spring force being applied when the variable shutter is moved.