Patent ID: 8064135
Filing Date: 2011-11-22
Classification: B82Y,G02B

Abstract:
1. A polarization element comprising: a substrate that transmits light with a predetermined wavelength; and an aggregate of metal pieces each of which is arranged in an island shape on the substrate, wherein desired polarization characteristics are obtained by a variation in the plasmon resonance wavelength of the metal pieces that depends on the polarization direction of light irradiated to the metal pieces, the plasmon resonance wavelength of the metal pieces in a predetermined direction is substantially equal to the wavelength of the light irradiated to the polarization element, the total sum of the geometric cross sections of the metal pieces in a plane which is substantially perpendicular to the propagation direction of the light irradiated to the polarization element in a light radiation region is smaller than the area of the light radiation region, and the total sum of the absorption cross sections of the metal pieces at the plasmon resonance wavelength is equal to or more than 5 times the geometric area of the radiation region.