DWDM variable attenuator and multiple-channel power equalizer using MEMS technology

Ai Qun Liu; Xu Ming Zhang; Chan Chong Wei; Thian Chern Sheong; F. Wang; C. Lu; Zishun Liu

doi:10.1117/12.477922

21 January 2003 DWDM variable attenuator and multiple-channel power equlizer using MEMS technology

Ai Qun Liu, Xu Ming Zhang, Chan Chong Wei, Thian Chern Sheong, F. Wang, C. Lu, Zishun Liu

Proceedings Volume 4983, MOEMS and Miniaturized Systems III; (2003) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.477922
Event: Micromachining and Microfabrication, 2003, San Jose, CA, United States

Abstract

This paper reports the design, modeling, fabrication and testing of a novel variable optical attenuator for multi-channel power equalizers to be used in dense wavelength division multiplexed (DWDM) systems. The attenuator is fabricated by silicon surface micromachining technology and is then manually assembled and integrated with two single mode optical fibers that act as optical input and output. A 40 × 40 μm² mirror coated with gold is driven by a proprietary drawbridge structure to cut partially into the light path between two fibers, enabling the attenuation. The attenuator has a dimension of 0.6 × 1 μm² excluding the fibers. It has 1.5 dB insertion loss and 45 dB attenuation range, and requires only 8 V driving voltage, showing that it is promising for DWDM applications. Optical and mechanical models of the attenuator have also been established. Although the models are developed with the initial intention of modeling the MEMS attenuator, they are also available to the other types of devices in which the preconditions of the models are satisfied.

Citation Download Citation

Ai Qun Liu, Xu Ming Zhang, Chan Chong Wei, Thian Chern Sheong, F. Wang, C. Lu, and Zishun Liu "DWDM variable attenuator and multiple-channel power equlizer using MEMS technology", Proc. SPIE 4983, MOEMS and Miniaturized Systems III, (21 January 2003); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.477922

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KEYWORDS

Mirrors

Signal attenuation

Optical fibers

Microelectromechanical systems

Attenuators

Actuators

Dense wavelength division multiplexing

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