Optical scanning device that includes waveguides

Abstract

An optical scanning device includes a waveguide array including a plurality of waveguides arranged in a first direction. Each waveguide includes: an optical waveguide layer that propagates light supplied to the waveguide in a second direction intersecting the first direction; a first mirror having a first reflecting surface intersecting a third direction; and a second mirror having a second reflecting surface that faces the first reflecting surface. The optical waveguide layer is located between the first and second mirrors and has a variable thickness and/or a variable refractive index for the light. The width of the first mirror and the width of the second mirror are each larger than the width of the optical waveguide layer. The first mirror has a higher light transmittance than the second mirror and allows part of the light propagating through the optical waveguide layer to be emitted in the third direction.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An optical scanning device comprising:
 an optical waveguide layer that propagates light supplied to the optical waveguide layer;   a first mirror having a first reflecting surface that faces the optical waveguide layer; and   a second mirror having a second reflecting surface that faces the first reflecting surface of the first mirror with the optical waveguide layer disposed therebetween,   wherein the width of the first mirror in a first direction and the width of the second mirror in the first direction are each larger than the width of the optical waveguide layer in the first direction, and   the first mirror is configured to allow a part of the light propagating through the optical waveguide layer to pass through and be emitted.   
     
     
         2 . The optical scanning device according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the optical waveguide layer has a variable thickness and/or a variable refractive index for the light, and   the refractive index of the optical waveguide layer and/or the thickness of the optical waveguide layer is changed to change an emission direction of the part of the light.   
     
     
         3 . The optical scanning device according to  claim 2 , further comprising
 a first adjusting element that changes the refractive index of the optical waveguide layer and/or the thickness of the optical waveguide layer to change the emission direction of the part of the light.   
     
     
         4 . The optical scanning device according to  claim 3 ,
 wherein the optical waveguide layer of the waveguide contains a first material whose refractive index for the light is changed when a voltage is applied, and   the first adjusting element includes a pair of electrodes sandwiching the optical waveguide layer and applying the voltage to the pair of electrodes.   
     
     
         5 . The optical scanning device according to  claim 4 ,
 wherein the first material contains an electrooptical material.   
     
     
         6 . The optical scanning device according to  claim 4 ,
 wherein the first material contains a liquid crystal material.   
     
     
         7 . The optical scanning device according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein at least one of the first and second mirrors includes a dielectric multilayer film.   
     
     
         8 . The optical scanning device according to  claim 1 , further comprising
 a phase shifter that includes a waveguide connected to the optical waveguide layer directly or indirectly through another waveguide.   
     
     
         9 . An photoreceiver device comprising:
 an optical waveguide layer that propagates light supplied to the optical waveguide layer;   a first mirror having a first reflecting surface that faces the optical waveguide layer; and   a second mirror having a second reflecting surface that faces the first reflecting surface of the first mirror with the optical waveguide layer disposed therebetween,   wherein the width of the first mirror in a first direction and the width of the second mirror in the first direction are each larger than the width of the optical waveguide layer in the first direction, and   the first mirror is configured to allow a part of light incident on a surface of the first mirror opposite to the first reflecting surface to be introduced into the optical waveguide layer.   
     
     
         10 . The photoreceiver device according to  claim 9 ,
 wherein the optical waveguide layer has a variable thickness and/or a variable refractive index for the light, and   the refractive index of the optical waveguide layer and/or the thickness of the optical waveguide layer is changed to change a receivable direction in which the part of the light is receivable.