Variable optical attenuator for use in the visible spectrum.
A method for attenuating a laser beam based on the excitation of a surface plasmon is described. This attenuator is continuously variable, has a dynamic range of 10(2), has a spectral range covering the visible, does not steer the beam or distort its profile, and can handle powers of at least 1-W cw. Some preliminary results obtained on a crude prototype are presented; final device design and predicted performance are discussed.
Staromlynska
J
J
Clay
R A
RA
Dexter
K F
KF