Variable Optical Fiber Attenuator Using Bending-Sensitive Fiber

Abstract

A variable optical attenuator with a bending-sensitive fiber (BSF) that can be used in optical networks is developed. The refractive index profile of the BSF is divided into four regions which are inner core, center dip of inner core, outer core and clad. The 3-dimensional finite difference beam propagation method (3D FD-BPM) is utilized to find the characteristics of the BSF, so the mode profile of the BSF and optical power attenuation according to the bending are investigated, and the equivalent model of the BSF is made. By using this equivalent model of the BSF, the BSF is fabricated, and the refractive index profile of the BSF is measured, which is similar to refractive index profile of the proposed BSF. The fabricated variable optical fiber attenuator (VOFA) consists of the BSF in a rectangular rubber ring with a fixed bend radius (BR) in a steady state. The VOFA using the proposed BSF was able to attenuate the optical power by more than about －38 ㏈ at certain wavelengths (1540∼1560 nm) based on adjusting the mechanical pressure applied to the upper surface of the rectangular rubber ring with the bent BSF. In addition, the proposed VOFA produced an insertion loss of 0.68 ㏈, polarization dependent loss (PDL) of about 0.5 ㏈, and return loss of less than －60 ㏈.