OPTICAL MODULATOR

摘要

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an optical modulator which can directly control the intensity of propagated light by operating the electron density of metal. SOLUTION: A metal line 3a and a metal member 3b are arranged across a dielectric 1 to form a capacitor and the voltage of a voltage source 7 is applied between the metal line 3a and metal member 3b for control to pass light inputted to the interface between the dielectric 1 and metal line 3a through the interface along the metal line 3a; and the intensity of the propagated light can be controlled by varying the electron density of metal nearby the interface between the dielectric 1 and metal line 3a, so that an optical circuit can be made small-sized and integrated.