An optical attenuator is a device used to reduce the
power level of an optical signal, either in free
space or in an optical fiber. They are commonly used
in fiber optic communications.
Optical attenuators used in fiber optic
communications systems may use a variety of
principles for their functioning. Those using the
gap loss principle are sensitive to the modal
distribution ahead of the attenuator, and should be
used at or near the transmitting end, or they may
introduce less loss than intended. Optical
attenuators using absorptive or reflective
techniques avoid this problem.
The basic types of optical attenuators are fixed,
step-wise variable, and continuously variable.
All products meet the Telcordia GR-910-CORE
requirements.
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