| US 7,580,594 B2 | ||
| Optical modulation element and optical modulation device having the same | ||
| Hikaru Hoshi, Yokohama (Japan) | ||
| Assigned to Canon Kabushiki Kaisha, Tokyo (Japan) | ||
| Filed on Jul. 18, 2008, as Appl. No. 12/175,826. | ||
| Claims priority of application No. 2007-188278 (JP), filed on Jul. 19, 2007. | ||
| Prior Publication US 2009/0022446 A1, Jan. 22, 2009 | ||
| Int. Cl. G02F 1/035 (2006.01) | ||
| U.S. Cl. 385—3 [385/9; 385/14; 385/41; 385/45; 385/132] | 10 Claims |
| 1. An optical modulation element, comprising:
a waveguide defined based on a defect in a photonic crystal;
a carrier conducting region configured to conduct a carrier to said waveguide;
an electrode configured to inject a carrier into said carrier conducting region; and
a current control unit configured to control a quantity of carrier to be conducted to said waveguide;
wherein said photonic crystal and said electrode are made of a material containing TiO2 as a main composition, and
wherein said current control unit is configured to change a refractive index of a medium constituting said waveguide in accordance
with the quantity of carrier conducted to said waveguide, thereby to modulate light propagated through said waveguide.
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