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Fiber Optic Attenuators

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About Fiber Optic Attenuators

Fiber optic attenuators are devices that reduce signal power in fiber optic links by inducing a fixed or variable loss. They are used to control the power level of optical signals at the outputs of light sources and electrical-to-optical (E/O) converters. They are also used to test the linearity and dynamic range of photo sensors and photo detectors. Fiber optic attenuators use several methods of attenuation. Examples include air gaps, microbends, acousto-optic modulators, and electro-optic modulators. Air gaps between optical fibers cause light to be reflected because of the change in refractive index. Microbends are sharp curvatures with local axial displacements of a few micrometers and spatial wavelengths of a few millimeters. Microbending can cause significant radiative loss and mode coupling. Acousto-optic modulators use sound waves to modify the amplitude, frequency, or phase of light passing through an acousto-optic material. Similarly, electro-optic modulators use an electric field to alter the characteristics of light passing through an electro-optic material.

Fiber optic attenuators can use single-mode and/or multi-mode optical cable. Single-mode cable allows only one mode to propagate and features very small core diameters of approximately 8 µm. Single-mode cable permits signal transmissions at extremely high bandwidths and allows very long transmission distances. By contrast, multi-mode cable supports the propagation of multiple modes and features core diameters ranging from 50 to 100 µm. Multi-mode cable has a graded or stepped refractive index and allows the use of inexpensive light emitting diode (LED) light sources. With multi-mode cables, connector alignment and coupling is less critical than with single-mode fibers. Because of dispersion, however, multi-mode cable provides reduced transmission distances and transmission bandwidths.

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Part Numbers for Fiber Optic Attenuators

Part # Distributor Manufacturer Product Category Description
5209250-5 Digi-Key Tyco Electronics Optoelectronics ATTENUATOR F/OPTIC 5.0DB
5209943-5 Digi-Key Tyco Electronics Optoelectronics ATTENUATOR F/OPTIC SM SC 5DB

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