Optical attenuating isolator

Abstract

An optical attenuating isolator obtained by combining an optical attenuator and an isolator into a module, is provided. The optical attenuating isolator includes a first collimator, an optical attenuating filter, an isolation unit, and a second collimator. The first collimator is connected to a first optical transmission medium, and collimates light received via the first optical transmission medium. The optical attenuating filter attenuates the output light of the first collimator. The isolation unit receives light attenuated by the optical attenuating filter and passes only polarized light which is polarized in a predetermined specific polarization direction. The second collimator is connected to a second optical transmission medium, and collimates polarized light which has passed through the isolation unit, and transmits the resultant light to the second optical transmission medium. Accordingly, an optical attenuator and an isolator are configured into a module, such that insertion loss can be reduced, and that the number of optical transmission media used is reduced, thus preventing generation of loss caused by the optical transmission media. Also, an optical attenuating isolator according to the present invention is used as an optical attenuator for an optical communications system having directivity, such that deterioration of the optical communications system due to back reflection can be prevented, and that the degree of attenuation can be controlled.