Khan, S. A.,Riza, N. A.

Enabling Photonics Technologies for Defense, Security and Aerospace Applications, in Defense and Security Symposium 2005, Orlando, Florida, USA

Wavelength tunable and broadband variable fiber-optic attenuators using liquid crystals. Enabling Photonics Technologies for Defense, Security, and Aerospace Applications

2005

March

Validated

0

()

23

3823

Fiber-Optic Variable Optical Attenuators (VOAs) are demonstrated using Liquid Crystals (LC) for broadband as well as wavelength tunable applications. Attenuation is achieved by using a beam spoiling approach implemented via electrically reconfigurable non-pixelated no moving parts Nematic LC deflectors. The VOAs feature in-line architecture and polarization insensitive design without the use of bulky polarization splitting and combining optics. The proof-of-concept VOAs in the 1550 nm band demonstrate > 30 dB attenuation ranges, low polarization dependent losses and low power consumption. Applications for these VOAs include agile wavelength tunable secure data communications networks and RF sensor systems.Fiber-Optic Variable Optical Attenuators (VOAs) are demonstrated using Liquid Crystals (LC) for broadband as well as wavelength tunable applications. Attenuation is achieved by using a beam spoiling approach implemented via electrically reconfigurable non-pixelated no moving parts Nematic LC deflectors. The VOAs feature in-line architecture and polarization insensitive design without the use of bulky polarization splitting and combining optics. The proof-of-concept VOAs in the 1550 nm band demonstrate > 30 dB attenuation ranges, low polarization dependent losses and low power consumption. Applications for these VOAs include agile wavelength tunable secure data communications networks and RF sensor systems.

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