• Korean Journal of Optics and Photonics
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.28-31
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• 2018

In this paper, we have proposed and demonstrated a variable optical attenuator (VOA) incorporating a dual-fiber collimator and a bimetallic actuator. The optical attenuation between input and output single-mode fibers was tuned by tilting the angle of a reflection mirror fixed on the bimetal. The bimetal was heated or cooled by a thermoelectric cooler (TEC) and then moved the reflection mirror, due to bending and unreeling. The desired optical attenuation can be obtained through adjusting the electrical input into the TEC. The fabricated device showed 0.5 dB of insertion loss, 0.2 dB of maximum polarization-dependent loss, and 40 dB of dynamic range. The response time was measured to be about 5 s.

• Korean Journal of Optics and Photonics
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.94-98
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• 2006

An optical microphone based on a dual-core fiber collimator and a membrane type micromirror serving as an optical head and a reflective diaphragm respectively was implemented. The micromirror diaphragm is suspended by a thin silicon bar linked with a frame, thus it is subject to a displacement induced by acoustic waves. The optical head incorporating two collimators integrated in a single housing gives light to and receives it from the diaphragm, rendering the optical microphone structure simple and compact. This dual-core collimator having a slowing varying beam profile facilitates the initial alignment of the optical head with the diaphragm, especially the distance between them. For the assembled microphone, the static characteristics were investigated tofind the operation point defined as the optimum distance between the head and the diaphragm, and a frequency response with a variation of about $\pm$5 dB for the range of up to 3kHz was achieved.