Patent ID: 6873784

Claim:
An optical attenuator comprising: an optical attenuation fiber; a first ferrule retaining a forward part of the optical attenuation fiber therein; a second ferrule located rearward of the first ferrule and retaining a rearward part of the optical attenuation fiber therein, a rearward end of the first ferrule abutting against a forward end of the second ferrule; a flange retaining the two abutting ends of the ferrules therein; a spring surrounding the flange; an alignment sleeve retaining a rear end of the second ferrule therein; an interconnection housing, a front end of the interconnection housing defining a first cavity accepting the flange and the spring therein, a rear end of the interconnection housing defining a second cavity accepting a front end of the alignment sleeve therein; a latch attached to the rear end of the interconnection housing, the latch defining a passage receiving a rear end of the alignment sleeve therein; and a plug housing attached to the front end of the interconnection housing.