公开(公告)号：US20020067905A1

公开(公告)日：2002-06-06

申请号：US09726409

申请日：2000-12-01

Applicant: NORTEL NETWORKS LIMITED

Inventor： Charles Douglas MacPherson ,  Keith Anderson ,  Steven Paul McGarry

IPC: G02F001/15

CPC classification number: G02F1/155 ,  G02F2001/1557 ,  G02F2203/48

Abstract: An electrochromic variable optical attenuator having low insertion loss, and which is substantially insensitive to the polarization of optical signals transmitted therethrough, is disclosed. The attenuator includes an annular working electrode, and a counter electrode surrounding and spaced from the annular working electrode in a coplanar configuration. Also included is an electrochromic layer in peripheral contact with the annular working electrode; and a further electrochromic layer overlying the counter electrode. An electrolyte overlies and is in contact with the two electrochromic layers; so that upon application of an electrical voltage between the electrodes, the optical density of the electrochromic layer is altered, thereby varying the attenuation of incident optical signals transmitted therethrough.

Abstract translation: 公开了一种具有低插入损耗并且对通过其传输的光信号的偏振实质上不敏感的电致变色可变光衰减器。 衰减器包括环形工作电极和围绕环形工作电极以共面配置间隔开的对置电极。 还包括与环形工作电极周边接触的电致变色层; 以及覆盖对电极的另外的电致变色层。 电解质覆盖并与两个电致变色层接触; 使得在电极之间施加电压时，改变电致变色层的光密度，从而改变通过其传输的入射光信号的衰减。