Ultra-compact variable optical attenuator based on slow light photonic crystal waveguide

Abstract

An ultra-compact variable optical attenuator based on slow light photonic crystal waveguide with thermooptic effect is demonstrated.Along with power consumption of as low as 30.7 mW, a variable attenuation range of 10 dB is experimentally achieved by shifting the transmission spectrum at about 4.6 nm.The length of the proposed device is only 20 µm.