Abstract
We describe two designs for a variable attenuator of infrared laser radiation. The principle is based on the excitation of surface plasmon polaritons with prism couplers on suitable conductors. Practical considerations dictate the use of conductors with infrared plasma frequency. An intensity variation of more than nine-orders is theoretically demonstrated. Both designs involve mechanical displacements of optical elements by less than several microns, which in principle might be much faster than current art for variable attenuators of IR laser beams. One design provides fine control at high attenuation. Experimental demonstrations support the predicted function.
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