John L Murdock

US Patent:

58388460, Nov 17, 1998

Filed:

Oct 6, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/944363

Inventors:

John Kermit Murdock - Frisco TX

Assignee:

McDonnell Douglas

International Classification:

G02B 626

US Classification:

385 16

Abstract:

A fiber optic switch and attenuator (10) has a sealed capsule (12). The sealed capsule (12) contains a first fluid (14), having a first index of refraction and having a first density. The sealed capsule (12) contains a second fluid (16), having a second index of refraction, the second index of refraction being greater than the first index of refraction. The second fluid (16) has a second density that is not equal to the first density. A bobbin (18) is contained in the sealed capsule (12). A fiber optic core (20) is wrapped around the bobbin (18). The fiber optic core (20) has a core index of refraction. The core index of refraction is less than the second index of refraction and greater than the first index of refraction. The fiber optic core (20) has a first end (22) and a second end (24) outside the sealed capsule (12).