Qinetiq Limited

James McQuillan

Richard Michael Jenkins

Mark Edward McNie

David J Combes

Craig D Stacey

A variable optical attenuator device is described that comprises a first optical input, a first optical output, a first optical path between the first optical input and the first optical output, and means for moving a shutter across said first optical path. A hollow core waveguide is provided to substantially guide light along the first optical path of the device. The device may also be used to provide an analogue beam splitting or switch function in telecommunication systems and the like.

Variable optical attenuator comprising hollow core waveguide

An optical routing device is described that comprises a semiconductor substrate () having at least one optical input (), a plurality of optical outputs () and an array of MEMS moveable reflective elements (). The array of moveable reflective elements () are configurable such that light can be selectively routed from any one optical input () to any one of two or more of said plurality of optical outputs (). Light selectively routed from any one optical input to any one of two or more of said plurality of optical outputs () is guided within a hollow core waveguide (). In one embodiment, a cross-connect optical matrix switch is described.

Optical routing device comprising hollow waveguides and MEMS reflective elements

Optical circuits for optical amplifier input and output stages are described. The input stage circuit () comprises a first optical waveguide () for carrying a signal beam to be amplified, a second optical waveguide () for carrying a pump beam, a beam combining means () optically coupled to the first and second optical waveguides () for producing a combined signal/pump beam, and means for optically coupling the combined signal/pump beam into an amplifying optical fibre (). The output stage circuit () comprises a first output optical waveguide (), an optical fibre attachment means arranged to receive an amplifying optical fibre () and an optical fibre attachment means arranged to receive an output optical fibre () wherein light from the amplifying optical fibre () is optically coupled to the output optical fibre () via the first output optical waveguide (). The first and second optical waveguides () and the first output optical waveguide () are hollow core optical waveguides formed as channels in a substrate. A fibre amplifier, in particular an erbium doped fibre amplifier, comprising such optical circuits is also described.

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Malvern, United Kingdom

James McQuillan