Optical-fiber variable-attenuator arrays using polymer-network liquid crystal

Author

Hirabayashi, K. ; Wada, M. ; Amano, C.

Author_Institution

NTT Photonics Labs., Kanagawa, Japan

Volume

13

Issue

5

fYear

2001

fDate

5/1/2001 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

487

Lastpage

489

Abstract

This paper describes compact variable optical attenuator arrays made by using fiber splicers and polymer-network liquid crystal. Fibers are inserted into the splicers and the gaps between the ends of the fibers are filled with the polymer-network liquid crystal. The residual loss for each array element is low (about 0.8 dB), the attenuation of 1.55-μm light is about 8 dB and the driving voltage is 20 V/sub rms/. The polarization dependence is <2 dB. The power consumption is also very low (30 nW/ch). They are used for channel power equalizers for WDM systems.

Keywords

equalisers; optical arrays; optical communication equipment; optical fibre losses; optical fibre polarisation; polymer dispersed liquid crystals; wavelength division multiplexing; 0.8 dB; 1.55 mum; 8 dB; WDM systems; array element; channel power equalizers; compact variable optical attenuator arrays; driving voltage; fiber splicers; optical-fiber variable-attenuator arrays; polarization dependence; polymer-network liquid crystal; power consumption; residual loss; Energy consumption; Equalizers; Liquid crystal polymers; Optical arrays; Optical attenuators; Optical fiber polarization; Optical losses; Optical polymers; Voltage; Wavelength division multiplexing;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Photonics Technology Letters, IEEE

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

1041-1135

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/68.920760

Filename

920760