PURPOSE: To obtain easy-to-manufacture optical switch arrays, by providing a first optical guide and a second optical guide branched therefrom in an electro- optical crystal, and composing the connection part in a high refractive index waveguide part.
CONSTITUTION: A voltage is applied by an electrode 41 to a plane at an angle of θ with respect to the boundary of a high refractive index waveguide Wa1 and an optical guide 13, that is, with respect to the running direction of light. In this case, unless voltage is applied to the electrode 41, the incident light from direction 1 mostly runs in direction 3, or in the direction of optical guide 13. Hence, by applying proper voltage to the electrode 41, the incident light from the direction 1 may be mostly led in direction 2 shown by solid line, so that the light switching may be possible. The same applies to other electrodes 42, 43. Further, by composing more branching circuits, the light switching may be easily constituted.
MUTOO KATSUTOSHI
NODA SHIYOUICHI
