Method of attenuating an optical signal

1. A method of transmitting an optical communications signal, such method comprising the steps of:

securing an optical device onto an optically transparent substrate with an optically transparent adhesive such that an axis of transmission of the optical device passes directly through the optically transparent adhesive and a portion of the body of the optically transparent substrate and not through an electrode of the optical device;

darkening a portion of the optically transparent adhesive with a laser; and

transmitting light from the optical device through the darkened portion of the optically transparent adhesive such that at least some of the light from the optical device is absorbed by the darkened portion.

2. The method of transmitting an optical communications signal as in claim 1 , further comprising defining the optical device as a solid state laser.

3. The method of transmitting an optical communications signal as in claim 2 further comprising defining the optically transparent adhesive as an optically clear underfill.

4. The method of transmitting an optical communications signal as in claim 3 wherein the step of darkening a portion of the optically transparent adhesive with a laser further comprises measuring the optical power output of the optical device for determining the deviation in optical power output from the nominal.

5. The method of transmitting an optical communications signal as in claim 4 wherein the step of darkening a portion of the optically transparent adhesive with a laser further comprises exposing the optically clear underfill to optical energy from an excimer laser such that the underfill darkens.

6. The method of transmitting an optical communications signal as in claim 5 wherein the step of darkening a portion of the optically transparent adhesive with a laser further comprises darkening the underfill to the extent that some optical energy of the optical signal is attenuated by the darkened region in the underfill and a nominal amount of optical energy of the optical signal passes through the optically transparent substrate.

7. An apparatus for transmitting an optical communications signal, comprising:

an optical device secured to an optically transparent substrate with an optically transparent adhesive such that an axis of transmission of the optical device passes directly through the optically transparent adhesive and a portion of the body of the optically transparent substrate and not through any transparent electrode disposed on or in the transparent substrate and wherein

a portion of the optically transparent adhesive has been darkened with a laser, such that an optical signal passing substantially through the darkened portion of the optically transparent adhesive is attenuated.

8. The apparatus for transmitting an optical communications signal as in claim 7 wherein the optical device further comprises a solid-state laser.

9. The apparatus for transmitting an optical communications signal as in claim 8 wherein the optically transparent adhesive further comprises as an optically clear underfill.

10. The apparatus for transmitting an optical communications signal as in claim 9 further comprising a photodetector for measuring the optical power output of the optical device to determine the deviation in optical power output from a nominal output for the optical device.

11. The apparatus for transmitting an optical communications signal as in claim 10 further comprising exposing the optically clear underfill to optical energy from an excimer laser such that the underfill darkens.

12. The apparatus for transmitting an optical communications signal as in claim 11 wherein the darkened underfill attenuates some of the optical energy of the optical signal and a nominal amount of optical energy passes through the optically transparent substrate.