Optical isolator based on a Faraday rotator consisting of ytterbium oxide and yttrium oxide

摘要

An optical isolator (10) including a Faraday rotator (12) that has a high Faraday effect and a high transmission factor in a wavelength used is provided. An optical isolator (10) comprises at least: a Faraday rotator (12); a polarizer (11) arranged on a light incidence side of the Faraday rotator (12); and an analyzer (13) arranged on a light exit side of the Faraday rotator (12), wherein the Faraday rotator (12) consists of an oxide that contains an ytterbium oxide (Yb 2 O 3 ) with a mass ratio of 30% or more.