Rosemount Inc.

Stanley Edward Rud, Jr

Charles Ray Willcox

Mark George Romo

Liang-Ju Lu

A variable optical attenuator has a first and second waveguides that are optically coupled together. At least one of the waveguides has a movable cantilever portion that is movable relative to the other to control attenuation of an optical signal traveling between the two. Preferably, electrically driven actuators deflect the movable waveguides to a relative position at which a desired optical attenuation value is achieved. The electrically driven actuator receives a drive signal that controls the amount of deflection. The drive signal may be set to achieve a desired value for an electrical parameter that varies with the position of the movable waveguide and may be sensed by the electrically driven actuator. In some examples, the drive signal is set to achieve a desired capacitance or voltage difference between the movable waveguide and an electrode.

Variable optical attenuator

A variable optical attenuator has a first movable waveguide support and a second waveguide support that include first and second waveguides, respectively, such that the first and second waveguides are aligned for propagating an optical energy. An electrically driven actuator positions the movable waveguide support for coupled, optical misalignment relative to the second support to achieve a desired optical attenuation value. The movable waveguide support may be in a cantilevered configuration in which a distal end extends over a surface having an electrode. In this example, applying a drive signal to the electrode deflects the movable support such that the signal coupled between the first waveguide to the second waveguide is attenuated. The drive signal may be set to achieve a desired value for an electrical parameter that varies with the position of the movable waveguide support. In some examples, the drive signal is set to achieve a desired capacitance or voltage difference between the movable waveguide support and the electrode.

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Victoria, MN, United States of America

Stanley Edward Rud, Jr