Patent ID: 7653278

Claim:
A graded-index optical member, comprising: a core section which has a maximum portion of a refractive index substantially at a center of a cross-section which is perpendicular to an optical axis, and a refractive index distribution in which said refractive index decreases in accordance with a distance in a direction of an X axis which is orthogonal with respect to said optical axis from said maximum portion and a distance in a direction of a Y axis which is orthogonal with respect to said optical axis and said X axis from said maximum portion; and a clad section which contacts at least partially with a periphery of said core section, a whose refractive index is substantially uniform, and in which polysilane is a main component, wherein said core section has a minimum portion of a concentration of a siloxane structure at said center of said cross-section, and said concentration of said siloxane structure increases in accordance with a distance in said direction of said X axis from said minimum portion and a distance in said direction of said Y axis from said minimum portion, and said graded-index optical member is sheet-like.