Patent ID: 6470115
Filing Date: 2002-10-22
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
An optical switching element, comprising:a light guide unit having a total reflection surface that can transmit light by total reflection; a light extraction unit having a transmissive extraction surface, the transmissive extraction surface being movable between a first position at or less than an extraction distance from the total reflection surface such that an evanescent wave can leak, and a second position greater than the extraction distance from the total reflection surface, the light extraction unit being a reflection type which guides extracted light to the transmissive extraction surface, the light extraction unit being provided on a side opposite to an emission side of the optical switching element relative to the light guide unit; and a spacer and a reflective thin film laminated on the side opposite to the emission side of the optical switching element relative to the light guide via the spacer so that the light extraction unit is supported by the reflective thin film.