Patent ID: 8270198

Claim:
A nonvolatile optical memory element comprising: an optical waveguide; a semiconductor amplification region that is connected to the optical waveguide; a ferromagnetic body having a single-magnetic structure, the ferromagnetic body being provided on one side of the semiconductor amplification region; and an electrode provided on another side of the semiconductor amplification region which side is opposite to the side of the semiconductor amplification region on which the ferromagnetic body is provided, such that the semiconductor amplification region is sandwiched between the electrode and the ferromagnetic body, the semiconductor amplification region being caused to have a larger region where a photomagnetic effect more effectively occurs, when a voltage is applied between the electrode and the ferromagnetic body so that electrons that are spin-polarized according to a magnetization direction of the ferromagnetic body are injected from the ferromagnetic body into the semiconductor amplification region.