A Variable Optical Attenuator Based on a Straight Polymer–Silica Hybrid Channel Waveguide

This letter presents studies of a variable optical attenuator based on a straight polymer-silica hybrid channel waveguide. A polymer material was specifically formulated to achieve low power consumption and good reliability. It is found that a 7/spl deg/C temperature change in this material would produce an attenuation of more than 20 dB.