Abstract: An electronically variable fiber optic attenuator is disclosed for adjustably extracting optical energy from a single, side-polished fiber optic, and therefore attenuating the optical signal being transmitted through the fiber optic. In one aspect, material is removed from a portion of the fiber optic, thereby exposing a surface through which optical energy can be extracted. A slab of material is positioned over the exposed surface of the fiber optic with a liquid overlay disposed therebetween. An actuator applies a force to the slab of material to deform or bend the slab of material into and out of the evanescent field of the fiber optic for extracting the optical energy.