Abstract

A computer-controllable variable optical attenuator has been developed and tested that has a wide dynamic range, wide spectral range, and is suitable for applications with high peak and average power laser sources. The device is based on Fresnel transmission through two pairs of wedged plates. A 35-dB dynamic range, an insertion loss of 1%, a precision of better than 1% and beam offset and deflection of <0.5 mm and 0.5 mrad, respectively, are demonstrated.

© 1980 Optical Society of America

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