JP2000241839A - Method and device for distributing light - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To facilitate handling and also stabilize operation by making the device into one chip. SOLUTION: On a glass substrate 30, 1st optical waveguides 321-324, and 2nd optical waveguides 341-344 formed in the direction tilted with respect to the 1st optical waveguides 321-324 are formed, and optical switches 361-364, which are turned on when they are irradiated with control light and are turned off when they are not irradiated with the control light and operate in a femto- second order, are formed at each intersection part of the 1st optical waveguides 321-324 and the 2nd optical waveguides 341-344.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to an optical distribution method and an optical distribution device, and more particularly, to an optical distribution method and an optical distribution device used for an optical information communication system or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, on the transmitting side, multi-channel signal light is multiplexed with time-serial signal light, transmitted to an optical fiber transmission line, and multiplexed on the receiving side. An optical information communication system for distributing the serial signal light into multi-channel parallel signal light is known. In this optical information communication system, optical multiplexing (optical multiplexing) and optical distribution (optical demultiplexing) are performed in order to realize an ultra-high-speed optical communication network of the order of T (tera) bit / s corresponding to an increasing amount of information. ) Methods are being studied.

[0003] In such an optical information communication system,
When a wavelength multiplexing method is not used in a trunk system for transmitting information at a high bit rate of 1 T (tera) bit / s or more, the signal light of an optical pulse train having a pulse interval of 1 ps or less is transmitted.
It is necessary to control at a speed of THz or higher. An optical distribution (optical demultiplex (DEMUX)) device is used to extract a signal light of a lower bit rate to be transmitted to a signal processing system such as a terminal information device from the high bit rate signal light.

[0004] Since signal processing systems such as terminal information equipment exist in parallel, a multi-output optical distribution device is considered to be a very important device in ultra-high-speed communication. An optical distributor using a frequency shift or the like requires a complicated optical system to multiplex light.

For this reason, the present applicant has already proposed a technique of spatially distributing one high-bit-rate trunk signal light by one control light, that is, an ultra-multi-output light distribution device. This light distribution device will be described with reference to FIG.
Signal light of six channels is temporally serially multiplexed via an optical waveguide 10 such as an optical fiber, and signal light having a bit rate of 1 Tbit / s and a pulse interval of 1 ps is transmitted.

[0006] The signal light transmitted through the optical waveguide 10 is incident on the optical system 12 which is constructed by combining the lens, the light pulse 14 that the wavefront in the plane direction orthogonal spreads to the traveling direction _{1-14 6} From the optical system 12 as signal light composed of On the optical path of the signal light, a line-shaped ultra-high-speed spatial light switch 16 is disposed with the line direction inclined at 45 ° with respect to the traveling direction of the signal light. In the optical switch 16, a plurality of independent light shutter portions are formed between the light shielding layers by selectively providing a light shielding layer. The number of the optical shutter units is equal to the number of channels of the signal light and is provided at intervals based on the pulse interval of the optical pulse.

The optical switch 16 is made of a non-linear optical material having a short relaxation time in which an absorption coefficient (absorbance) changes by being irradiated with a pulse-like control light. The optical shutter is in a transmission state, and transmits the signal light with a transmittance of a predetermined value or more.

The control light has a wavefront spread in a plane direction orthogonal to the traveling direction of the control light, similarly to the signal light, and is applied to the optical switch 16 in synchronization with the signal light. Then, by irradiating the control light such that the control light is applied to the optical switch when each optical pulse of the signal light reaches each of the optical shutter portions of the optical switch, a part of each optical pulse is switched. And is output as a distributed output light pulse 20.

The output light pulse 20 is detected by a light receiving element 22 composed of a CCD array, a photodetector array and the like arranged on the output side of the optical switch. Thereby, the serial signal light is spatially separated into parallel signal light, and the separated signal lights (output light pulses) are processed in parallel, whereby an ultra-multi output light distribution device can be provided.

However, in the above-described light distribution device, the optical system for expanding the wavefront, the optical switch, the light receiving element, and the control light irradiating means are spatially arranged. If the adjustment is not performed with high accuracy, the operation of the light distribution becomes unstable.

In addition, there is a problem that light is lost due to reflection on the surface of the optical system or the surface of the optical switch.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems. By making an optical distribution device a one-chip device using an optical integrated circuit, the handling is facilitated, the operation is stabilized, and the light distribution is improved. It is an object of the present invention to provide an optical distribution method and an optical distribution device with reduced loss.

[0013]

To achieve the above object, according to the light distribution method of the present invention, any one of the plurality of first optical waveguides intersects with any one of the plurality of second optical waveguides,
And the plurality of first optical waveguides and the plurality of second optical waveguides are arranged so as to be inclined, and an optical switch whose ON / OFF state is switched by irradiating each of the intersections with control light is arranged, A signal light composed of an optical pulse train is guided from the first optical waveguide to the optical switch, and a control light synchronized with the signal light is guided to the second optical waveguide to turn on / off the optical switch by the control light. In response, each optical pulse is distributed from the signal light, and the distributed optical pulse is extracted from the first optical waveguide.

Further, the optical distribution device of the present invention includes a plurality of first optical waveguides for guiding signal light and a plurality of second optical waveguides for guiding control light, and a plurality of first optical waveguides. An optical waveguide in which any one of the waveguides intersects with any one of the plurality of second optical waveguides and the plurality of first optical waveguides and the plurality of second optical waveguides are inclined; And a plurality of optical switches that are provided at each of the intersections of the optical waveguide and the second optical waveguide, and that are turned on and off by being irradiated with the control light.

According to the present invention, the optical distribution device can be made into a one-chip device by using an optical integrated circuit using an optical waveguide and an optical switch. Can be reduced.

In the present invention, the waveguide lengths of the first optical waveguide up to the optical switch are made equal, and the second optical waveguide is made equal to the second optical waveguide.
The waveguide lengths of the optical waveguides up to the optical switch may be different from each other by a length corresponding to the optical pulse interval of the signal light. In this configuration, when the signal light composed of the optical pulse train is incident on the first optical waveguide and the control light is incident on the second optical waveguide, each optical pulse of the signal light sequentially reaches the optical switch and the signal light is transmitted. The control light delayed by the length corresponding to the optical pulse interval reaches the optical switch, and the optical switch is sequentially turned on, so that each optical pulse is sequentially distributed from the signal light, and the optical pulse distributed from the first optical waveguide is distributed. Can be taken out.

In the present invention, the length of the first optical waveguide up to the optical switch is made different by a length corresponding to the optical pulse interval of the signal light, and the light of the second optical waveguide is changed. The configuration can be such that the waveguide lengths up to the switches are equal. In this configuration, when signal light composed of an optical pulse train is incident on the first optical waveguide and control light is incident on the second optical waveguide, the signal light is delayed by a length corresponding to the optical pulse interval of the signal light. Since the control light reaches each optical switch at the same time as it reaches the optical switch and the optical switch is turned on at the same time, the optical switch is turned on when each of the optical pulses to be distributed reaches each optical switch. Distribute each light pulse from light at the same time,
The distributed light pulse can be extracted from the first optical waveguide.

The light pulse distributed as described above is
It can be processed by a light processing element including a spatial modulator, ie, a spatial modulator, another light processing element, or detected by a light detection element.

The above-mentioned optical switch can be formed using semiconductor fine particle dispersed glass, metal fine particle dispersed glass, semiconductor material, semiconductor multiple quantum well (MQW), polymer organic thin film, organic crystal thin film, or organic associated thin film. it can. Examples of the organic association thin film include a squarylium dye association thin film.

The optical waveguide can be formed using a semiconductor material, a semiconductor multiple quantum well (MQW), a polymer organic thin film, an organic crystal thin film, or an organic associated thin film.

The squarylium dye-associated thin film is
This is preferable because the response time is shorter than that of an optical switch made of a semiconductor material, the cost is low, and the device can be manufactured at room temperature and in the air without requiring large-scale equipment. This thin film can be formed on a glass substrate.

[0022]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 2, the light distribution device according to the first embodiment includes a plurality of first optical waveguides 32 _{1 to} 32 ₄ formed by a plurality of branch optical waveguides formed on a glass substrate 30, One optical waveguide 32 _{1 to} 3
And a 2 ₄ second optical waveguides 34 ₁ to 34 ₄ of a plurality formed in the direction inclined with respect.

The first and second optical waveguides can be formed by patterning a polyimide thin film formed on a glass substrate 30 by photolithography and etching it by RIE (reactive ion etching).

The first optical waveguides 32 _{1 to} 32 ₄ are formed so as to be parallel to each other by making one optical waveguide Y-branch a plurality of times, and from one side of the substrate 30 to the opposite side facing this side. Since it is formed to be continuous
Waveguide length of the first optical waveguide 321 _to 323 ₄ are equal. Accordingly, since the light is incident from the waveguide collecting portion side of the first optical waveguide is branched at the Y branch portions propagating branched optical waveguide, at the same time the light from the other end of the first optical waveguide 321 _to 323 ₄ Is injected.

The second optical waveguide 34 ₁ is formed to be continuous from one side of the substrate 30 toward the first optical waveguide 32 _{in one} direction, the first optical waveguide in the vicinity terminal portion 32 ₁
Intersects. The second optical waveguide 34 ₁ is formed with a linear portion that forms a predetermined angle with the _first optical waveguide 32 ₁ .

The second end of the optical waveguide 34 _2, while being an intermediate portion and the optical coupling of the second optical waveguide 34 _1, are formed in parallel to the second optical waveguide 34 ₁ of the linear portion, intersects the first optical waveguide 32 ₂ near the terminal end.

[0027] One end of the second optical waveguide 34 _3, the optical coupling and the second optical waveguide 34 ₁ of the intermediate portion in the light propagation direction by a predetermined distance upstream of the optical coupling portion between the second optical waveguide 34 ₂ while being formed so as to be parallel to the second optical waveguide 34 ₁ of the linear portion intersects the first optical waveguide 32 ₃ in the vicinity termination.

[0028] One end of the second optical waveguide 34 _4,
With the intermediate portion and the optical coupling of the light propagation direction by a predetermined distance upstream in the second optical waveguide 34 ₁ from the optical coupling portion between the second optical waveguide 34 _3, parallel to the second optical waveguide 34 ₁ of the linear portion It is formed so as to intersect with the first optical waveguide 32 ₄ near termination.

Therefore, the second optical waveguides are formed so as to be parallel to each other by branching off from one optical waveguide.

The intersection between the _first optical waveguides 32 _{1 to} 32 ₄ and the second optical waveguides 34 _{1 to} 34 _{4 corresponds} to the first optical waveguide 3
Are provided so as to be positioned at a distance equal from 2 _{1-32 4} end.

As described above, the optical coupling position of the second optical waveguide
Are different from each other, the second optical waveguide 34₁~ 34_FourLight of
The length from the coupling portion to the intersection with the first optical waveguide is
The second optical waveguide 34₁, The second optical waveguide
Road 34_Two, The second optical waveguide 34 _Three, And the second optical waveguide 3
4_FourIn the order of a predetermined distance. Therefore, the second
Optical waveguide 34₁When light enters from one end of the
It is delayed by a predetermined time because it is branched and propagated at the junction.
The light reaches the intersection.

The first optical waveguide 321 _to 323 ₄ to the upper surface of each of the intersections of the second optical waveguide 34 _{1-34 4,} is on the will and the control light when the control light is irradiated irradiated Femtosecond that is turned off when not performed (1 fs = 10 ^-15
The optical switch 36 _{1-36 4} operating in seconds) the order is formed. This optical switch is composed of a squarylium dye association thin film.

In this optical switch, a squarylium dye derivative is dissolved in a solvent such as dichloroethane, and the obtained solution is applied on a glass substrate 30 to form a thin film, and the obtained thin film is treated with an acid or an alkali. It can be obtained by: This thin film can be manufactured by patterning and etching using RIE, similarly to the manufacture of a polyimide optical waveguide. Thus, an absorption-variable optical switch having an absorption peak near 780 nm can be configured.

[0034] The predetermined distance which is the length of the second optical waveguide is determined so as to correspond to the optical pulse interval, the control light when the first light pulse reaches the optical switch 36 ₁ It arrives at the optical switch 36 _1, and so on, first as the control light when the n (n = 2,3,4) th light pulse reaches the optical switch 36 _n reaches the optical switch 36 _n waveguide length of each of the second optical waveguide 34 _{1-34 4} are determined. As a result, an optical distribution device composed of an optical waveguide integrated circuit having one input and four outputs is configured.

As shown in FIG. 2, the operation of the present embodiment will be described by taking as an example a case where signal light composed of four optical pulse trains is distributed. From the waveguide collecting portion side when guiding the signal light by the branch or the like to the first optical waveguide, since the signal light propagating through the first optical waveguide 321 _to 323 ₄ is branched at the Y branch portions, each with equal timing Reach the optical switch.

On the other hand, when the control light is guided to the second optical waveguide by branching or the like as described above, the control light reaches the optical switch at predetermined time intervals because the lengths of the second optical waveguides are different. .

[0037] Each of the waveguide length of the second optical waveguide 34 _{1-34 4,} the first optical pulse reaches the control light to the optical switch 36 ₁ when it reaches the optical switch 36 _1, the same manner Te, since the control light when n (n = 2,3,4) th light pulse reaches the optical switch 36 _n is determined so as to reach the optical switch 36 _n, the signal light and control light Are synchronized and made incident on the optical distribution device, when each pulse of the signal light reaches the optical switch, the optical switch is irradiated with control light and the optical switch is turned on. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 2, the optical pulse distributed from the output end of the first optical waveguide is output every predetermined time, and the DEMUX operation can be performed.

The light pulse distributed as described above is
It is processed by a light processing element such as a spatial modulator or detected by a light detection element.

According to the method described above, the sectional area is 5 × 5 μm.
When an optical waveguide composed of a ridge-type polyimide thin film of m ² was formed, the absorption loss of this optical waveguide was 0.5 dB.
/ Cm. As signal light, output light from a Ti: sapphire laser (wavelength 780 nm, pulse width 100 f
s), a pulse train of 100 fs with a light pulse interval of 1 ps (repetition period of 1 THz) generated by the optical delay circuit was directly incident on the first optical waveguide. As the control light, Ti: incident directly by the end face coupling the output light to the second optical waveguide 34 ₁ from sapphire laser.
The light intensity of this control light was 10 pJ / pulse (the light intensity in the optical waveguide was 40 μJ / cm ² ).

When the signal light and the control light were made to enter the optical distribution device configured as described above in synchronization with each other, an optical pulse output was observed from each of the first optical waveguides. This observation, C
As a result of examining the correspondence with the output by changing the pattern of the signal light by using a CD array, it was confirmed that the DEMUX operation was performed by the optical distribution device configured as described above.

Next, a second embodiment will be described. In the second embodiment, the optical waveguide in which the signal light and the control light are incident in the first embodiment is reversed.

As shown in FIG. 3, the light distribution device according to the second embodiment includes a plurality of control light optical waveguides (second optical waveguides) formed by a plurality of branch optical waveguides formed on a glass substrate 30. waveguide) 40 _{1-40 4,} and the second optical waveguide 40
And a _1-40 plurality of signals leading optical waveguide formed on a direction inclined with respect to ₄ (first optical waveguide) 42 _{1-42 4.}

The second optical waveguides 40 ₁ to 40 ₄ are formed so as to be parallel to each other by Y-branching one optical waveguide a plurality of times, and are continuously formed from one side of the substrate 30 to the middle of the substrate. It is formed so as to, waveguide length of the second optical waveguide 40 _{1-40 4} are equal. Thus, for propagating the second optical waveguide 40 _{1-40 4} is branched by the light is incident from the waveguide collecting portion side of the optical waveguide Y branch portion, the other of the second optical waveguide 40 _{1-40 4} Light reaches the end at the same timing.

The first optical waveguide 42 ₄ are formed to be continuous from one side of the substrate 30 to the side that faces intersects the end of the second optical waveguide 40 _4. Further, in the first optical waveguide 42 _4, linear portion at a predetermined angle and the second optical waveguide 40 ₄ are formed.

[0045] One end of the first optical waveguide 42 _3, intermediate part and with the optical coupling of the straight portion of the first optical waveguide 42 _4, in parallel to the straight portion of the first optical waveguide 42 ₄ is formed, it intersects the second optical waveguide 40 ₃ of the terminal portion in the intermediate portion.

[0046] The first end of the optical waveguide 42 _2, an intermediate portion and the optical coupling of the first optical waveguide 42 ₄ in the light propagation direction a predetermined distance upstream of the optical coupling portion between the first optical waveguide 42 ₃ while being formed so as to be parallel to the straight portion of the first optical waveguide 42 ₄ intersects the second optical waveguide 40 _{and second} end portion.

Then, one end of the _first optical waveguide 421 is
With the intermediate portion and the optical coupling of the first optical waveguide 42 ₄ in the light propagation direction a predetermined distance upstream of the optical coupling portion between the first optical waveguide 42 _2, parallel to the straight portion of the first optical waveguide 42 ₄ It is formed so as to intersect the second optical waveguide 40 ₁ of the end portion.

The intersections of the second optical waveguides 40 ₁ to 40 ₄ and the first optical waveguides 42 _{1 to} 42 ₄ are positioned so as to be located at the same distance from the end of the second optical waveguide on the gathering side. Is provided.

As described above, the optical coupling position of the first optical waveguide
Are different from each other, the first optical waveguide 42₁~ 42_FourLight of
The length from the coupling part to the intersection with the second optical waveguide is
The first optical waveguide 42₁, The first optical waveguide
Road 42_Two, First optical waveguide 42 _Three, And the first optical waveguide 4
2_FourIn the order of a predetermined distance. Therefore, the first
Optical waveguide 42₁When light enters from one end of the
Since the light is branched and propagated at the junction, the intersection of the first optical waveguide
Light delayed by a predetermined time arrives at the difference portion.

The upper surface of each of the intersections of the second optical waveguides 40 ₁ to 40 ₄ and the first optical waveguides 42 _{1 to} 42 ₄ is turned on when the control light is irradiated and is irradiated with the control light. by first embodiment and the optical switch 44 _{1-44 4} having the same configuration as that runs fs order to be off in a state not is formed.

[0051] The predetermined distance is a distance of the first optical waveguide is determined so as to correspond to the optical pulse interval, n (n when the first optical pulse reaches the optical switch 44 ₁ = 2,3,4) first optical waveguide 4 so that the optical pulse reaches each of the optical switches 44 _n simultaneously.
2 _1-42 waveguide length of each of the ₄ are determined. As a result, an optical distribution device composed of an optical waveguide integrated circuit having one input and four outputs is configured.

As shown in FIG. 3, the operation of the present embodiment will be described by taking as an example a case where a signal light composed of four pulse trains is distributed. When guiding the control light by branching, etc. from the waveguide collecting portion side of the second optical waveguide, the control light for propagating the second optical waveguide 40 _{1-40 4} is branched at the Y branch portions, each with equal timing Reach the optical switch.

Meanwhile, when the guiding signal light into the first optical waveguide 42 ₄ by the branch, etc. in the same manner as described above, since the length of the first optical waveguide is different from the signal light to the optical switch at predetermined time intervals The first optical waveguide pulse arrives and the optical switch 4
4 The after three time corresponding to the pulse interval from the time it reaches the _4, 1-4 th light pulses to each of the optical switches 44 ₁ to 44 ₄ to arrive at the same time.

When the signal light and the control light are made to enter the optical distribution device in synchronization with each other so that each of the control lights reaches the optical switch when each of the optical pulses reaches the optical switch,
When each pulse of the signal light reaches the optical switch, the optical switch is irradiated with the control light and the optical switch is turned on. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3, the light is distributed from the output end of the second optical waveguide. Optical pulses are output at the same timing, and DEM
The UX operation can be performed.

In the above description, an example in which the present invention is applied to an optical distribution device comprising an optical waveguide integrated circuit having one input and four outputs has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. By setting the number of the waveguides and the number of the second optical waveguides to n, it is possible to configure an optical distribution device including an optical waveguide integrated circuit having one input and n outputs.

The optical switch is not limited to the squarylium dye-associated thin film, other organic associated thin films, metal fine particle dispersed glass, semiconductor material, semiconductor multiple quantum well, polymer organic thin film, organic crystal thin film, or organic thin film. It can be configured using a united thin film. Further, the optical waveguide can be formed using a polyimide organic thin film, another polymer organic thin film, a semiconductor material, a semiconductor multiple quantum well (MQW), an organic crystal thin film, or an organic associated thin film.

[0057]

As described above, according to the optical distribution method and apparatus of the present invention, an optical distribution apparatus can be made into a one-chip device by using an optical integrated circuit using an optical waveguide and an optical switch. Therefore, the effects of facilitating handling, stabilizing operation, and reducing light loss can be obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a light distribution device that spatially arranges optical systems and the like to perform light distribution.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of an optical distribution device including the optical integrated circuit according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of an optical distribution device including the optical integrated circuit according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

321 _to 323 _4, 42 ₁ to 42 ₄ the first optical waveguide 34 ₁ to 34 _4, 40 ₁ to 40 ₄ second optical waveguide 36 _{1-36 4} 44 _{1-44 4} optical switch

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Yasu Sato, Suburban 430 Green Tech Nakai, Nakai-machi, Ashigara-kami, Kanagawa Prefecture Inside Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. Inside Xerox Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Ryujun Husband 430 Green Tech Nakai, Nakai-machi, Ashigara-gun, Kanagawa Prefecture Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 2K002 AA02 AB04 BA02 CA06 CA13 CA16 DA06 DA08 5K002 BA04 BA06 CA14 DA03 FA02

Claims (14)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of first optical waveguides intersect with one of a plurality of second optical waveguides and a plurality of first optical waveguides intersect with each other.
And a plurality of second optical waveguides are arranged so as to be inclined, and an optical switch whose ON / OFF state is switched by irradiating control light to each of the intersections is disposed, and a signal comprising an optical pulse train is provided. Light is guided from the first optical waveguide to the optical switch, and control light synchronized with the signal light is guided to the second optical waveguide. From the signal light according to the ON / OFF state of the optical switch by the control light, An optical distribution method for distributing each optical pulse and extracting the distributed optical pulse from the first optical waveguide. 2. The length of each of the first optical waveguides to the optical switch is made equal, and the length of each of the second optical waveguides to the optical switch is set in accordance with the optical pulse interval of the signal light. The signal light comprising the optical pulse train is incident on the first optical waveguide, the control light is incident on the second optical waveguide, and the optical pulse distributed from the first optical waveguide is 2. The light distribution method according to claim 1, wherein the light is extracted. 3. The length of the first optical waveguide up to the optical switch is varied by a length corresponding to the optical pulse interval of the signal light, and the length of the waveguide of the second optical waveguide up to the optical switch is changed. Wavelengths are made equal to each other, signal light comprising the optical pulse train is incident on the first optical waveguide, control light is incident on the second optical waveguide, and optical pulses distributed from the first optical waveguide are transmitted. 2. The light distribution method according to claim 1, wherein the light is extracted. 4. The optical distribution method according to claim 1, wherein the distributed optical pulse is processed by an optical processing element including a spatial light modulator. 5. The light distribution method according to claim 1, wherein the distributed light pulse is detected by a light detection element. 6. The optical switch is formed using semiconductor fine particle dispersed glass, metal fine particle dispersed glass, semiconductor material, semiconductor multiple quantum well (MQW), polymer organic thin film, organic crystal thin film, or organic associated thin film. The light distribution method according to claim 1. 7. The first optical waveguide and the second optical waveguide are formed using a semiconductor material, a semiconductor multiple quantum well (MQW), a polymer organic thin film, an organic crystal thin film, or an organic associated thin film. Item 7. The light distribution method according to any one of Items 1 to 6. 8. A semiconductor device comprising: a plurality of first optical waveguides for guiding signal light; and a plurality of second optical waveguides for guiding control light.
An optical waveguide in which any one of the plurality of first optical waveguides intersects with any one of the plurality of second optical waveguides and the plurality of first optical waveguides and the plurality of second optical waveguides are inclined. And a plurality of optical switches provided at each of intersections of the first optical waveguide and the second optical waveguide, the optical switches being turned on and off by being irradiated with the control light. apparatus. 9. The waveguide length of the first optical waveguide up to the optical switch is made equal to each other, and the waveguide length of the second optical waveguide up to the optical switch is respectively set according to the optical pulse interval of the signal light. 9. The light distribution device according to claim 8, wherein the light distribution devices have different lengths. 10. The waveguide of the first optical waveguide up to the optical switch is made different by a length corresponding to the optical pulse interval of the signal light, and the waveguide of the second optical waveguide up to the optical switch is changed. 9. The optical distribution device according to claim 8, wherein the wave lengths are equal. 11. The optical distribution device according to claim 8, wherein an optical pulse output from said first optical waveguide is processed by an optical processing element including a spatial modulator. 12. The light distribution device according to claim 8, wherein a light pulse output from said first optical waveguide is detected by a light detecting element. 13. An optical switch comprising: semiconductor fine particle dispersed glass, metal fine particle dispersed glass, semiconductor material, semiconductor multiple quantum well (MQW), polymer organic thin film, organic crystal thin film,
Or an organic associated thin film.
The light distribution device according to any one of claims 1 to 4. 14. The first optical waveguide and the second optical waveguide are formed using a semiconductor material, a semiconductor multiple quantum well (MQW), a polymer organic thin film, an organic crystal thin film, or an organic associated thin film. Item 14. The light distribution device according to any one of Items 8 to 13.