Title :
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
fDate :
7/1/2009 12:00:00 AM
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;
Journal_Title :
Photonics Technology Letters, IEEE
DOI :
10.1109/LPT.2009.2019118
