Abstract: Controllable fiber optic attenuators and attenuation systems are disclosed for controllably extracting optical energy from a fiber optic, and therefore attenuating the optical signal being transmitted through the fiber optic. Material removed from a portion of the fiber optic exposes a side surface through which optical energy can be extracted. The portion of the fiber is suspended between two support points, and a controllable material is formed over the surface for controllably extracting optical energy according to a changeable stimulus applied thereto, which affects the refractive index thereof. In one embodiment, the changeable stimulus is light energy from a light source having a different wavelength from the wavelength of the optical energy of interest.

Abstract: Novel dye/polymer compositions are disclosed, which when used in connection with fiber optic devices, provide a uniform spectral response across a broadband wavelength region. The dye/polymer compositions contain an infrared absorbing dye having an absorption maximum from about 900 to about 1300 nm. One or more polar olefin copolymers containing monomers derived from polar olefins having an ester, benzene, or halogen substitutent attached, is/are chemically bonded to the dye. Optionally, a detached polar olefin copolymer may be blended with the dye-appended copolymer. Also disclosed is a broadband optical device comprising the novel dye/polymer compositions formed over an optical fiber. Improvements in the uniformity of spectral response and performance are observed across a wavelength band. Variable optical attenuators, switches, shutters, and couplers can be designed which incorporate the dye/polymer compositions. The invention is particularly useful in the 1500-1700 nm wavelength band.

Abstract: Novel attenuators for use in single-channel applications are disclosed. The attenuators include a crosslinked siloxane copolymer composition, prepared by crosslinking a vinyl-terminated dimethylsiloxane-diphenylsiloxane copolymer with a silane crosslinking agent in the presence of a platinum catalyst. The crosslinked copolymer overlies a portion of a side-polished optical fiber or tapered optical fiber. Optical energy propagating through the fiber can be extracted when the refractive index of the crosslinked material is varied about that of the optical fiber. The attenuators are useful in single-channel applications, such as the ever-popular 1310 nm and 1550 nm wavelengths.