Patent ID: 7127135
Filing Date: 2006-10-24
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
1. An optical device comprising: a lightwave circuit element having a plurality of optical waveguides, the plurality of optical waveguides comprising a first optical waveguide and a second optical waveguide that is disposed proximate to the first optical waveguide in a fixed range to form an optical coupling area together with the first optical waveguide; and a refractive index adjusting portion composed of resin and located in the plurality of optical waveguides and/or in a portion of the area in the vicinity of the plurality of optical waveguides, wherein the lightwave circuit element further comprises an adjustment-light waveguide for guiding adjustment light that varies the refractive index of the resin and directs the adjustment light to the refractive index adjusting portion, the optical coupling area comprises a linear waveguide portion and the refractive index adjusting portion is disposed away from the linear waveguide portion but at least a part of the refractive index adjusting portion is located in the optical coupling area, and the wavelength of the adjustment light falls within the absorption band of the resin and the resin is heated by the adjustment light such that the refractive index of the resin is changed.