| 摘要 |
PURPOSE:To obtain a switching element which switches an optical path under the ON/OFF control of control light by providing a two-dimensional optical waveguide layer, insulator layers which has a lower refractive index than the optical waveguida layer, and transparent electrodes on both sides of a laminate body formed by laminating crystal materials which have photoconductivity and electrooptic effect in order. CONSTITUTION:Crystal 13 has photoconductivity and electrooptic effect and a bismuth silicon oxide, etc., is used. The optical waveguide layer 12 formed of TiO2, etc., having a high refractive index. The insulator layer 14 has a lower refractive index than the optical waveguide layer 12 and is formed of SiO2, etc. An insulator layer 15 has a lower refractive index than the crystal 13 and an insulator 16 has a lower refractive index than the optical waveguide layer 12. Control light 21 is projected while an electric field is applied from electrodes 17 and 18 connected to a power source 19. Consequently, variation in the refractive index in the crystal 13 causes variation in the equivalent refrac tive index in the optical waveguide layer 12. Therefore, the signal light 20 can be switched by total reflection/straight travel optical path switching by turning on and off the control light 21. |
