In the photo

摘要

PPROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an optical functional element which has such a structure that a large number of carbon nanotubes mutually isolated from one another exist over a long distance in the optical axis direction. PSOLUTION: A photonic bandgap fiber having a hollow core portion 12 and a cladding 11 having air holes arrayed in a grid on the periphery of the hollow core portion 12 is formed. Fine particulate catalyst is dispersed on an inner wall 13 of the hollow core portion, and the carbon nanotubes 14 are made to grow from the fine particulate catalyst. The grid array of the air holes 15, distances between the air holes 15, and the diameter of the hollow core portion 12 of the photonic bandgap fiber are determined so as to make a wavelength band of light confined in the hollow core portion 12 and a wavelength band of light bringing about a nonlinear optical effect on the carbon nanotubes 14 existing inside the hollow core portion 12 coincide with each other. A dispersed concentration of the fine particulate catalyst is adjusted so as to make the respective carbon nanotubes 14 grow in the mutually isolated state without forming a bunch structure. PCOPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI