WAVELENGTH CONVERSION ELEMENT AND APPARATUS FOR GENERATING SHORT WAVELENGTH LIGHT USING SAME

摘要

Provided is a wavelength conversion element (1), which converts fundamental waves (2) into harmonic waves (3) having wavelengths shorter than those of the fundamental waves (2), and has formed thereon a low refractive index region (4) having a refractive index lower than the refractive indexes of other regions. The low refractive index region (4) is formed in a thermal lens forming region, and is preferably formed further towards the light outputting side than the light collecting position of the fundamental waves (2). The wavelength conversion element (1) provides stable output even with a high power by being provided with the low refractive index region (4) that reduces refractive power generated by means of the thermal lens. An apparatus for generating short wavelength light using the wavelength conversion element (1) is provided with a fundamental wave light source and a light collecting optical system (5) which collects the fundamental waves.