Patent ID: 6895161

Claim:
An electrically variable optical attenuator comprising: a first waveguide support including an input waveguide section; a second waveguide support including an output waveguide section disposed in a position optically coupled to the input waveguide section; at least one of the first waveguide support or the second waveguide support being movable relative to the other waveguide support to provide coupled, optical misalignment, where said coupled, optical misalignment results in a range of optical attenuation values in the output waveguide section; and an electrically driven actuator for positioning the movable waveguide support to achieve a desired optical attenuation value, wherein the electrically driven actuator positions the moveable waveguide support in response to an electrical parameter value that is sensed by the electrically driven actuator, wherein a detectable value of the electrical parameter varies with the position of a distal end of the moveable waveguide support, and wherein the electrically driven actuator is used in determining the detectable value.