Patent ID: 6600867
Filing Date: 2003-07-29
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
A variable optical attenuator for attenuating optical signals input from an input fiber and output to an output fiber, comprising:a housing; a variable optical filter having a filter density varying between a low density region and a high density region along a linear filter axis, the filter having an axis parallel to a movement path of the filter, the movement path of the filter being perpendicular to the axis of the input fiber and the output fiber; and a reciprocating means to which the variable optical filter is mounted, the reciprocating means providing a movement of the variable optical filter along the movement path of the filter, the reciprocating means having a stabilizing mechanism for contacting the housing to prevent the variable optical filter from rotating about an axis parallel to the movement path; whereby when the reciprocating means actuates the variable optical filter to move along the movement path of the filter, an intersection point of the optical signal with the variable optical filter moves between the low density region and the high density region along the filter axis.