Patent ID: 7082251
Filing Date: 2006-07-25
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
1. An optical device having at least one slit at a desired location of a polygonal planar optical waveguide formed on a substrate, and carrying out optical path switching of signal light or control of quantity of light of an optical beam by moving an insertion plate up and down in the slit, said optical device comprising: flat insertion plate holding means for holding said insertion plate; an electric wiring formed on said insertion plate holding means; and a flat magnet placed in a manner that said magnet faces a surface of said insertion plate holding means opposite to a surface facing said optical waveguide, said magnet being placed so that a magnetic field is applied to at least one part of said electric wiring, wherein Lorentz force caused by interaction between current flowing through said electric wiring and magnetic field generated by said magnet formed seperately from said insertion plate displaces said insertion plate holding means to drive said insertion plate.