Optical attenuator using isolator and optical communications system including the same

Abstract

An optical attenuator using an isolator, and an optical communications system including the same, function to control the intensity of an input optical signal. The isolator comprises a Faraday rotator in which a rotation angle of polarization varies depending on the intensity of an applied magnetic field. As a result, the level of isolation of an optical signal changes in accordance with the rotation angle of polarization and an attenuated optical signal is outputted. A magnetic field generator generates a magnetic field having an intensity which is controlled by the intensity of current, and the generated magnetic field is applied to the isolator A power supply supplies current to the magnetic field generator and controls the intensity of the current. A magnetic core and a coil are installed on the optical isolator, and currents applied to the coil are controlled to adjust the intensity of the magnetic field which is formed on the isolator. Accordingly isolation of an optical signal is controlled, and the optical signal is attenuated. The optical attenuator is easily mounted on the system because of its small size, and can change the level of attenuation by controlling only the intensity of current.