OPTICAL DAMPING DEVICE

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an optical attenuation device and a method for attenuating optical radiation. This optical attenuation device and the method are suitable for attenuating optical radiation, in particular for attenuating laser radiation.

[0002] An optical attenuator can be used to reduce the amplitude or level of optical radiation, particularly an optical signal. It is conceivable to use an optical waveguide of a predetermined length as the optical attenuator, where the length-dependent attenuation of the waveguide is known. However, such waveguides often require custom manufacturing and are therefore expensive. A beam trap for a laser beam with a reflector and an absorber is known from the prior art (WO2016138951).

[0003] The invention is based on the objective of providing an optical attenuation device and a method for attenuating optical radiation that can be implemented simply and cost-effectively.

[0004] This problem is solved according to the invention by a damping device and by a method according to the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments of the damping device are specified in the dependent claims.

[0005] A damping device for attenuating optical radiation is disclosed, comprising a body made of a material that is (essentially) opaque to radiation. The body has a recess in the shape of a circular cylinder, a first opening, and a second opening, each providing access to the recess. This damping device is very simple in design and can be manufactured easily and inexpensively. In particular, the recess in the shape of a circular cylinder can be easily produced, for example, by milling.

[0006] The damping device thus has a circular cylindrical recess. The first opening and the second opening each extend through the body and open into the recess. The recess forms a cavity within the body. In particular, the recess can form a self-contained cavity within the body, which is connected to the surrounding external space only through the first and second openings.

[0007] The damping device can be designed in such a way that The first opening and the second opening are each designed as a bore-like opening (in particular, a bore). The bore-like openings in the body are easy to produce.

[0008] The damping device is designed in such a way that The first and second openings lie in the same plane, with the plane being perpendicular (orthogonal) to the longitudinal axis of the (cylindrical) recess. This allows the damping device to be implemented very compactly.

[0009] According to the invention, the damping device is designed such that The first opening and the second opening lie at right angles to each other in the plane. According to an embodiment that is not covered by the wording of the claim, other angular relationships between the first opening and the second opening are also possible.

[0010] The damping device can be designed in such a way that the recess is completely enclosed by the body.

[0011] The damping device can be designed in such a way that the recess is accessible (exclusively) through the first opening and the second opening to optical radiation.

[0012] The damping device can be designed in such a way that The first opening is an inlet for optical radiation and the second opening is an outlet for optical radiation.

[0013] The damping device can be designed in such a way that the body has a can-like part (can) and a lid, the lid closing the can-like part.

[0014] The damping device can be designed in such a way that The lid is detachably connected to the can-like part. A detachable connection is advantageous because it allows the lid to be easily opened when needed (for example, to clean the recess). The lid can be screwed to the can-like part. Alternatively, the lid can also be permanently connected to the can-like part; for example, the lid can be welded or glued to the can-like part.

[0015] The damping device can be designed in such a way that the first opening and the second opening are arranged in the can-like part.

[0016] The damping device can be designed in such a way that the (cylindrical circular) recess is bounded by a base, a lateral surface and a top surface (of the body).

[0017] The damping device can be designed in particular such that The base and the lateral surface belong to the can-like part, and the top surface belongs to the lid.

[0018] The damping device can be designed in such a way that The outer surface is coated or anodized with a reflective finish. The body can be made of aluminum, in which case the outer surface can be anodized. Anodizing improves the long-term stability of the damping device because it prevents or at least reduces uncontrolled corrosion of the outer surface. If the body is made of a different material (for example, another metal or a plastic), the outer surface can also be coated with a reflective finish. This coating improves the reflective properties.

[0019] The damping device can be designed in such a way that The optical attenuation of the attenuation device corresponds (essentially) to the ratio of the free cross-sectional area of ​​the second opening (i.e., the exit opening) to the surface area of ​​the casing. By choosing this ratio, the attenuation can therefore be selected within a wide range.

[0020] The attenuator can also have more than two openings, for example, three openings. In this case, the attenuator can simultaneously function as an optical splitter. The second opening then becomes the first exit opening, and the third opening becomes the second exit opening.

[0021] A further method is disclosed for attenuating optical radiation by means of an attenuation device with a body made of a material that is (essentially) opaque to the radiation, wherein the body has a recess in the shape of a circular cylinder, a first opening and a second opening, wherein the first opening and the second opening each form an access to the recess, wherein in the method optical radiation is introduced into the recess through the first opening (as incoming radiation), the radiation is reflected many times at a surface bounding the recess (here: in particular at the lateral surface of the recess), and only that part of the (incoming) radiation which is reflected onto the second opening is emitted from the body as outgoing radiation.

[0022] The process can proceed as follows: the first opening and the second opening lie in a plane, the plane being arranged perpendicular (orthogonal) to the longitudinal axis of the (cylindrical circular) recess.

[0023] The damping device and the method have the same or similar advantages and can, in particular, be designed in the same or similar way.

[0024] The invention will now be explained in more detail using exemplary embodiments. Identical reference numerals refer to identical or similarly acting elements. For this purpose, see in Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a damping device in a front view, Figure 2 shows the damping device in a side view in section, Figure 3 shows the damping device with an exemplary beam path, and Figure 4 shows a three-dimensional sectional view of the damping device. depicted.

[0025] In the Figures 1 and 2Figure 1 shows a damping device, which can also be referred to as a damping assembly or a damping element. The figure shows Figure 1 the damping device 1 in a front view and the Figure 2 The damping device 1 in a side view and in a sectional view.

[0026] A body 4 of the attenuating device 1 consists of a material that is optically opaque to the optical radiation used. This body 4 has a can-like part 7 and a lid 10. The lid 10 closes the can-like part 7. In the exemplary embodiment, the lid 10 is detachably connected to the can-like part 7: the lid 10 is screwed to the can-like part 7 by means of four screws (not shown). In other exemplary embodiments, however, the lid 10 can also be permanently connected to the can-like part 7; for example, the lid 10 can be glued or welded to the can-like part 7.

[0027] The body 4, more precisely the can-like part 7, has a first opening 11 and a second opening 12. Furthermore, the body 4 has a recess 15, which is in the shape of a circular cylinder (cylindrical recess 15). The recess 15 has a radius R. In the case of the cylindrical recess 15, the height is smaller than the diameter; it is therefore a shallow recess. This allows the damping device to be designed in a particularly compact manner.

[0028] The damping device 1 is therefore designed in a disc shape. The recess 15 is completely enclosed by the body 4. The body 4 surrounding the recess 15 can, for example, be made of a metal or a plastic. In the exemplary embodiment, the body 4 is made of aluminum. The recess 15 is accessible to optical radiation only through the first opening 11 and the second opening 12.

[0029] The first opening 11 and the second opening 12 are arranged in the can-like part 7 and are each designed as a bore-like opening (bore). The first opening 11 is an inlet opening for optical radiation, and the second opening 12 is an outlet opening for optical radiation. The first opening 11 and the second opening 12 lie in a plane 18. This plane 18 is arranged perpendicular to a longitudinal axis 21 of the circular cylindrical recess 15. The longitudinal axis 18 corresponds to the axis of rotation of the recess 15. According to the invention, the first opening 11 and the second opening 12 lie at right angles to each other in the plane 18. In other embodiments not covered by the wording of the claim, the first opening 11 and the second opening 12 can also lie at a different angle to each other in the plane 18.

[0030] The circular cylindrical recess 15 is bounded by a base 25, a lateral surface 27, and a top surface 29 of the body 4. The base 25 and the lateral surface 27 belong to the can-like part 7, and the top surface 29 belongs to the lid 10. Thus, the base 25 and the lateral surface 27 are formed by the can-like part 7, and the top surface 29 is formed by the lid 10.

[0031] In the exemplary embodiment, the outer surface 27 of the aluminum body 4 is anodized. This anodized outer surface is advantageously corrosion-resistant and stable over the long term. In other exemplary embodiments (especially when the body 4 is made of a material other than aluminum), the outer surface can also be coated with a reflective material. For example, if the body 4 is made of a plastic, then the outer surface 27 can be coated with a reflective metal.

[0032] A first optical connector 33 is arranged at the end of the first opening 11 facing away from the recess 15. The first optical connector 33 serves to connect a first optical conductor (for example, a first optical fiber) to the attenuator 1. Furthermore, a second optical connector 34 is arranged at the end of the second opening 12 facing away from the recess 15. This connector serves to connect a second optical conductor (for example, a second optical fiber) to the attenuator 1. In the exemplary embodiment, the first optical connector 33 and the second optical connector 34 are attached to the body 4, more precisely to the can-like part 7 of the body 4, in particular by screws.

[0033] In Figure 3The method for attenuating optical radiation using the attenuating device 1 is illustrated in a model. Incoming optical radiation 303 (symbolized here as an incoming beam 303) is introduced through the first opening 11 into the recess 15. The optical radiation is reflected multiple times at the surface bounding the recess 15 (in particular at the lateral surface 27 of the recess 15). In the exemplary embodiment of the Figure 3 Only three reflection points 306 are shown symbolically. In practice, many more reflections occur, so that the incoming radiation 303 is distributed almost uniformly over the entire surface 27.

[0034] Only that portion of the incoming radiation 303 which is reflected onto the second aperture 12 is emitted as outgoing optical radiation 309 from the body 4 and thus from the attenuating device 1. The radiation that is not emitted as outgoing radiation 309 from the attenuating device 1 is converted into heat within the body 4 and released into the environment.

[0035] The optical attenuation of the attenuating device 1 essentially corresponds to the ratio of the free cross-sectional area of ​​the second opening 12 to the area of ​​the lateral surface 27. Thus, if, for example, the free cross-sectional area of ​​the second opening is 25 mm² and the area of ​​the lateral surface is 12500 mm², then the optical attenuation of the attenuating device is 25:12500 = 1:500 = 0.002.

[0036] In particular, additional optical coupling attenuation can occur when the second optical guide medium (for example, the second optical waveguide) is connected to the second opening. When the outgoing optical radiation 309 is coupled into the second guide medium, the coupling attenuation can occur, which is added to the attenuation of the attenuation device.

[0037] The attenuating device 1 described as an example has only the first opening and the second opening. In other embodiments, however, the attenuating device can also have more than two openings; for example, the attenuating device can additionally have a third opening. The second opening is then a first exit opening, and the third opening is then a second exit opening. The attenuating device can then, in particular, additionally function as an optical splitter. The attenuating device can therefore generally have an inlet opening for optical radiation and one or more exit openings for optical radiation. The openings can be arranged distributed in the plane 18 along the circumference of the circular cylindrical recess 15. In the embodiment of the Figure 3The third opening can be located opposite the second opening 12, i.e., offset by 180 degrees relative to the second opening 12. The first opening is then perpendicular to the second opening 12 and perpendicular to the third opening in the plane 18.

[0038] Figure 4 Figure 1 shows the damping device 1 in a three-dimensional cross-sectional view. The first opening 11 and the second opening 12, which form the entrance and exit openings for the optical radiation respectively, are clearly visible.

[0039] A damping device has been described that utilizes multiple reflections within a recess, particularly within a closed geometry, to achieve an attenuation effect for optical radiation. The recess can, in particular, have the form of a (flat) circular cylinder. An aluminum block can be used as the body, into which the recess is machined (for example, by milling). The incident light power is distributed around the circumference of the recess by means of the multiple reflections. The damping device can be manufactured simply and cost-effectively and has a compact / space-saving design. Reference sign

[0040] 1 Optical attenuator 4 Body 7 Can-shaped part 10 Cover 11 First opening 12 Second opening 15 Recess 18 Plane 21 Longitudinal axis, axis of rotation 25 Base surface 27 Shell surface 29 Top surface 33 First optical connector 34 Second optical connector 303 Incoming radiation 306 Reflection point 309 Outgoing radiation

Claims

1. A damping device (1) for damping optical radiation, comprising a body (4) made of a material which is substantially impermeable to the radiation, wherein the body (4) has a recess (15) in the form of a circular cylinder, a first opening (11), and a second opening (12), wherein the first opening (11) and the second opening (12) each form an access to the recess (15), characterised in that - the first opening (11) and the second opening (12) are in a plane (18), wherein the plane (18) is arranged perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (21) of the recess (15), and - the first opening (11) and the second opening (12) are orthogonal to each other in the plane (18).

2. The damping device according to claim 1, characterised in that - the first opening (11) and the second opening (12) each are formed as a bore-like opening.

3. The damping device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that - the recess (15) is enclosed on all sides by the body (4).

4. The damping device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that - the recess (15) is accessible for optical radiation through the first opening (11) and the second opening (12).

5. The damping device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that - the first opening (11) is an inlet opening for optical radiation, and the second opening (12) is an outlet opening for optical radiation.

6. The damping device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that - the body (4) has a can-like part (7) and a lid (10), wherein the lid (10) seals the can-like part (7).

7. The damping device according to claim 6, characterised in that - the lid (10) is releasably connected to the can-like part (7).

8. The damping device according to claim 6 or 7, characterised in that - the first opening (11) and the second opening (12) are arranged in the can-like part (7).

9. The damping device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that - the recess (15) is delimited by a bottom surface (25), a lateral surface (27) and a top surface (29).

10. The damping device according to claim 9 and claim 6, characterised in that - the bottom surface (25) and the lateral surface (27) are associated with the can-like part (7), and the top surface (29) is associated with the lid (10).

11. The damping device according to claim 9 or 10, characterised in that - the lateral surface (27) has a reflective coating or is anodised.

12. The damping device according to any one of claims 9 to 11, characterised in that - the optical damping of the damping device (1) substantially corresponds to the ratio of the free cross-sectional area of the second opening (12) and the lateral surface (27).

13. A method for damping optical radiation using a damping device (1) according to claim 1, wherein in the method - optical radiation (303) is introduced through the first opening (11) into the recess (15), - the radiation is frequently reflected (306) at a surface (27) delimiting the recess (15), and - only the portion of the radiation reflected onto the second opening (12) is discharged from the body (4) as outgoing radiation (309).