Optical component and magnetic-field sensor using superposed single crystal elements having different optical properties

摘要

An optical unit or an optical sensor through which a light beam is propagated in a predetermined direction, having an optical component (2) which includes at least one first single crystal element (2R) each having a property of causing dextrorotation of a plane of polarization of the light beam during propagation of the beam, and at least one second single crystal element (2L) each having a property of causing levorotation of the plane of polarization of the light beam. The first and second single crystal elements (2R, 2L) are superposed on each other in a direction perpendicular to the direction of propagation of the beam. The single crystal elements (2R, 2L) may be bonded together by direct solid-solid reaction, or by diffusion of a material of a thin bonding film interposed between the adjacent single crystal elements. The single crystal elements also exhibit a magnetooptical or Faraday effect when used in a magnetic-field sensor, for example.