Patent ID: 7197225

Claim:
An electrically variable optical attenuator comprising: a first waveguide having a base portion and a movable cantilever portion extending from the base portion, the cantilever portion including a first terminus; a first support adapted to receive the base portion of the first waveguide such that the movable cantilever portion extends from the base portion and is suspended free of support; a second waveguide having a second terminus; a second support adapted to receive at least a portion of the second waveguide such that the second terminus and the first terminus are in a first, optically coupled state having a first optical attenuation; and an electrically driven actuator having at least one electrode that is adapted to move the first terminus relative to the first support such that the first terminus and the second terminus are in a second, optically coupled state, and that is adapted to sense a first parameter value that varies with a position of the first terminus, wherein the electrically driven actuator comprises an electrode disposed directly on at least a portion of the movable cantilever portion for movement of the first terminus.