High Dynamic Range Variable Fiber-Optical Attenuator Using Digital Micromirrors and Opto-Fluidics

Author

Reza, Syed Azer ; Riza, Nabeel A.

Author_Institution

Coll. of Opt. & Photonics, Univ. of Central Florida, Orlando, FL

Volume

21

Issue

13

fYear

2009

fDate

7/1/2009 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

845

Lastpage

847

Abstract

To the best of the authors knowledge, proposed is the first variable fiber-optical attenuator (VFOA) using a digital micromirror device (DMD) and an opto-fluidic electronically controlled variable focus lens (ECVFL). The hybrid VFOA uses individually controllable two-state micromirrors of the DMD and the variable focal length capability of the ECVFL to control the amount of light coupled between two fiber ports leading to a high dynamic range VFOA. The demonstrated VFOA at 1545 nm has a 63.5-dB dynamic range, <0.1-dB resolution, 0.2-dB polarization-dependent loss, 4.9-dB optical loss, and < 100-ms switching time. Applications for the proposed VFOA include use in test and measurement systems.

Keywords

lenses; micro-optomechanical devices; microfluidics; micromirrors; optical attenuators; optical fibre losses; optical fibre polarisation; digital micromirror device; electronically controlled variable focus lens; loss 0.2 dB; loss 4.9 dB; opto-fluidic; polarization-dependent loss; variable fiber-optical attenuator; wavelength 1545 nm; Dynamic range; Electric variables control; Lenses; Lighting control; Micromirrors; Optical attenuators; Optical fiber devices; Optical fiber polarization; Optical losses; Optical variables control; Digital micromirror device (DMD); microelectromechanical systems (MEMS); optical attenuator; opto-fluidics;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Photonics Technology Letters, IEEE

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

1041-1135

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/LPT.2009.2019118

Filename

5071236