| 摘要 |
PURPOSE:To provide an electro-optical element capable of acting actively and useful with the combined function of polarization-separation, an optical switch, and the like. CONSTITUTION:An electro-optical element is provided with a light wave guide layer 13 formed of an electro-optical crystal such as a uniaxial crystal with a four rotation inversion axis, for instance, so as to be changed in the index of refraction according to the applied electric field, and a pair of electrodes 15 for forming a specified electric field in the partial region of the light wave guide layer 13 at the time of voltage being applied. These electrodes 15a, 15b are opposedly disposed on a loaded clad layer 14 and under a base 11 so that the direction of the electric field is parallel to the optical axis of the electro- optical crystal forming the light wave guide layer 13. The electrodes 15a, 15b have the shape to form such an electric field that the interface between an electric field formed region and an electric field non-formed region out of the light wave guide layer 13 has an critical angle or more to an optical beam injected vertically to the optical axis of the electro-optical crystal forming the light wave guide layer 13. |
