Patent ID: 6477296
Filing Date: 2002-11-05
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
An optical waveguide device comprising:an optical waveguide formed on a substrate and enabling a light to bidirectionally propagate therethrough; and a trench-shaped space formed in the optical waveguide near at least one end of the optical waveguide to cross a direction of light propagation, the trench-shaped space being capable of switching the light propagating through the optical waveguide, wherein the trench-shaped space has a first boundary surface capable of internally reflecting a coming light propagating through the optical waveguide, thereby guiding the coming light out of the optical waveguide, and a second boundary surface capable of passing therethrough a transmitting light traveling in the direction opposite to the direction of propagation of the coming light, thereby guiding the transmitting light into the optical waveguide, wherein when n denotes a refractive index of a material constituting a principal part of the optical waveguide, an angle &thgr;1(Â°) of the first boundary surface to the direction of light propagation and an angle &thgr;2(Â°) of the second boundary surface to the direction of light propagation satisfy the following expressions: &thgr;1<90-sinâˆ’1(1/n) &thgr;2>90-sinâˆ’1(1/n).