激光与光电子学进展, 2010, 47 (8): 082302, 网络出版: 2010-07-05
基于液体变焦透镜的可调光衰减器性能
Properties of Novel Variable Optical Attenuator Device Based on Variable-Focus Microlens
光学器件 可调光衰减器 介质上电润湿 液体变焦透镜 optical devices variable optical attenuator electrowetting-on-dielectric liquid variable-focuslen
摘要
设计了一种新型的低成本、小体积的基于变焦液体透镜的可调光衰减器。该器件以具有圆柱状通孔的精密套管为透镜腔,腔内放置两种互不相溶的液体(水/油/水),腔内液体构成了薄(油)透镜介质;采用导电材料制作的套管作为一个电极,另两个电极则分别是与导电水溶液相接的左右管脚。通过介质上电润湿效应(EWOD)控制导电液体与绝缘油接触面形状,实现透镜焦距的调谐,进而实现单模光纤间耦合光强的调控,达到光的衰减控制目的。理论分析表明,这种光衰减器的衰减范围为0~60 dB,而且具有很好的波长相关损耗特性。
Abstract
A novel low-cost,small size variable fiber-optical attenuator (VFOA)device based on variable-focus microlens consisting of two kinds of liquids is put forward,whose basic structure includes a cylindrical precision tube sandwiched between two single-mode fibers (SMFs). Two kinds of immiscible liquids are placed inside the tube(water/oil/water),and constitute a thin liquid (oil) lens medium. The tube is made from electric conductor to acts as an electrode,and the other two electrodes are the right and left connectors connecting the conductive aqueous solution,respectively. The focal distance is tuned by changing the curvature of the meniscus through the effect of electro-wetting,so as to control SMFs coupling light intensity,and ultimately to achieve controlling optical attenuation. Theoretical analysis shows that the range of attenuation values of VFOA is 0~60 dB,and has a very good micro-loss characteristics of wavelength dependence.
陈陶, 梁忠诚, 钱晨, 徐宁. 基于液体变焦透镜的可调光衰减器性能[J]. 激光与光电子学进展, 2010, 47(8): 082302. Chen Tao, Liang Zhongcheng, Qian Chen, Xu Ning. Properties of Novel Variable Optical Attenuator Device Based on Variable-Focus Microlens[J]. Laser & Optoelectronics Progress, 2010, 47(8): 082302.