Patent ID: 6618204
Filing Date: 2003-09-09
Classification: B82Y,G02B,G02F

Abstract:
A light modulator using surface plasmon generated at the interface between a thin metal film and an electro-optical material, comprising two unit devices and a mirror, wherein said two unit devices, each comprising a pair of prisms individually provided with thin metal films at their respective undersides, and said thin metal films being oppositely disposed with an air gap in between, and a piezo material being sandwiched between said thin metal films so as to ensure said air gap, and said two unit devices are disposed in parallel to each other such that respective one surfaces of the one prisms of said unit devices are in contact with each other so as to ensure the arrangement of said thin metal films in parallel relation to each other, and said mirror is disposed such that the mirror side thereof faces the direction in parallel to said thin metal films, and extends along the top of the prism of one unit device on the side thereof not in contact with another unit device.