Optical isolator with a compact dimension

摘要

The present invention provides a compact optical isolator. A polarizer 2A and/or an analyzer 2B of an optical isolator 1 are/is formed of a cobalt magnetic substance minute particle cluster thin film 2. The cobalt magnetic substance minute particle cluster thin film 2 can be formed in the form of tape, film or sheet, whereby the thickness of the polarizer 2A and/or the analyzer 2B can be made small and in addition thereto, the polarizer and/or the analyzer can be formed integrally with a magneto-optical member which is formed in the form of thin film. More compact dimension and lighter weight can be realized as compared with the prior art in which Rochon prism made of calcite, rutile single crystal having wedge form or polarizing beam splitter is employed as the polarizer and the analyzer.