Optic system for light attenuation

1. An optic system including an integrated variable optical attenuating device for attenuating an input optical signal, the integrated optical variable attenuating device including a first electrically controllable attenuating element and a second electrically controllable attenuating element cascaded together, the first attenuating element having a first range of optical attenuation smaller than a second range of optical attenuation of the second attenuating element but requiring less input power than the second attenuating element to switch between levels of attenuation within the first range of attenuation, and wherein the optic system further includes electrical circuitry for controlling the first and second attenuating elements in coordination with one another so as to achieve the desired level of total attenuation of the optical signal,

wherein the first attenuating element is electrically switchable between a first, low level of attenuation and a second, high level of attenuation, and the second attenuating element is electrically controllable over a range of attenuation levels between the first and second levels of attenuation, and wherein the electrical circuitry is provided for switching the first attenuating element between the first and second levels of attenuation and for controlling the second attenuating element over a range of attenuation levels between the first and second levels of attenuation in coordination with each other in accordance with the desired level of total attenuation, and

wherein the first and second levels of attenuation are levels of attenuation at which the polarization dependency of the first attenuating element is at a minimum.

2. An optic system according to claim 1 further including an element for measuring an output power of the signal, and wherein the electrical circuitry controls the first and second attenuating elements in coordination with one another with reference to the measured output power so as to achieve the desired level of total attenuation of the optical signal.

3. An optic system including an integrated variable optical attenuating device for attenuating an input optical signal, the integrated optical variable attenuating device including a first electrically controllable attenuating element and a second electrically controllable attenuating element cascaded together, the first attenuating element having a first range of optical attenuation smaller than a second range of optical attenuation of the second attenuating element but requiring less input power than the second attenuating element to switch between levels of attenuation within the first range of attenuation, and wherein the optic system further includes electrical circuitry for controlling the first and second attenuating elements in coordination with one another so as to achieve the desired level of total attenuation of the optical signal, wherein the second attenuating element operates by absorption effects.

4. An optic system according to claim 3 , wherein the first attenuating element is electrically switchable between a first, low level of attenuation and a second, high level of attenuation, and the second attenuating element is electrically controllable over a range of attenuation levels between the first and second levels of attenuation, and wherein the electrical circuitry is provided for switching the first attenuating element between the first and second levels of attenuation and for controlling the second attenuating element over a range of attenuation levels between the first and second levels of attenuation in coordination with each other in accordance with the desired level of total attenuation.

5. An optic system according to claim 3 further including an element for measuring an output power of the signal, and wherein the electrical circuitry controls the first and second attenuating elements in coordination with one another with reference to the measured output power so as to achieve the desired level of total attenuation of the optical signal.

6. An optic system including an integrated variable optical attenuating device for attenuating an input optical signal, the integrated optical variable attenuating device including a first electrically controllable attenuating element and a second electrically controllable attenuating element cascaded together, the first attenuating element having a first range of optical attenuation smaller than a second range of optical attenuation of the second attenuating element but requiring less input power than the second attenuating element to switch between levels of attenuation within the first range of attenuation, and wherein the optic system further includes electrical circuitry for controlling the first and second attenuating elements in coordination with one another so as to achieve the desired level of total attenuation of the optical signal, wherein the integrated optical variable attenuating device is a silicon-on-insulator device with the first and second attenuating elements defined in a layer of silicon.

7. An optic system according to claim 6 , wherein the first attenuating element is electrically switchable between a first, low level of attenuation and a second, high level of attenuation, and the second attenuating element is electrically controllable over a range of attenuation levels between the first and second levels of attenuation, and wherein the electrical circuitry is provided for switching the first attenuating element between the first and second levels of attenuation and for controlling the second attenuating element over a range of attenuation levels between the first and second levels of attenuation in coordination with each other in accordance with the desired level of total attenuation.

8. An optic system according to claim 6 further including an element for measuring an output power of the signal, and wherein the electrical circuitry controls the first and second attenuating elements in coordination with one another with reference to the measured output power so as to achieve the desired level of total attenuation of the optical signal.

9. An optic system including an integrated variable optical attenuating device for attenuating an input optical signal, the integrated optical variable attenuating device including a first electrically controllable attenuating element and a second electrically controllable attenuating element cascaded together, the first attenuating element having a first range of optical attenuation smaller than a second range of optical attenuation of the second attenuating element but requiring less input power than the second attenuating element to switch between levels of attenuation within the first range of attenuation, and wherein the optic system further includes electrical circuitry for controlling the first and second attenuating elements in coordination with one another so as to achieve the desired level of total attenuation of the optical signal, wherein the first attenuating element attenuates the input optical signal by splitting the input optic signal into portions, inducing a phase difference between the portions, and then recombining the portions.

10. An optic system according to claim 9 , wherein the first attenuating element is electrically switchable between a first, low level of attenuation and a second, high level of attenuation, and the second attenuating element is electrically controllable over a range of attenuation levels between the first and second levels of attenuation, and wherein the electrical circuitry is provided for switching the first attenuating element between the first and second levels of attenuation and for controlling the second attenuating element over a range of attenuation levels between the first and second levels of attenuation in coordination with each other in accordance with the desired level of total attenuation.

11. An optic system according to claim 9 further including an element for measuring an output power of the signal, and wherein the electrical circuitry controls the first and second attenuating elements in coordination with one another with reference to the measured output power so as to achieve the desired level of total attenuation of the optical signal.