LIGHT-LIGHT SWITCH, OPTICAL COMMUNICATION DEVICE AND NONLINEAR OPTICAL MATERIAL

摘要

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a light-light switch with high performance to be used for ultrahigh speed optical transmission or the like and to provide an optical communication device using that switch, and an optical material for the switch. SOLUTION: A pseudo one-dimensional substance among transition metal oxides such as Sr2CuO3 having special properties in a specified direction has such properties that the electron-electron interaction in the substance easily generates specific relation and that the absorption of light in the medium IR wavelength region greatly differs depending on the direction of the crystal axis. It is found that the pseudo one-dimensional transition metal oxide has a significant nonlinear optical effect and is effective to be used for a light-light switch. Because the pseudo one-dimensional transition metal oxide is a stable compound and it does not require special consideration for use, the substance is advantageous that it can be easily used.