Abstract: An optical deflection element for splitting light rays in accordance with a wavelength of incident light, includes a photonic crystal having an entrance end face and an exit end face, and having a refractive index which periodically changes depending upon positions thereof. The optical deflection element includes a region in which a propagation angle &thgr;C of the incident light within the photonic crystal changes in accordance with the wavelength of the incident light having entered at an incident angle &thgr;IN into the entrance end face, and a relationship among a wavelength &lgr; of the incident light in vacuum, a lattice constant A of the photonic crystal, the incident angle &thgr;IN and the propagation angle &thgr;C satisfies (∂&thgr;C/∂(A/&lgr;))/(∂&thgr;C/∂&thgr;IN)>10.

Abstract: A non-resonant two-photon absorbing material is provided, comprising a specified compound and exhibiting far stronger non-resonant two-photon absorption and two-photon emission than conventional materials.

Abstract: A non-resonant two-photon absorbing material is provided, comprising a methine dye undergoing a non-resonant two-photon absorption, in which the methine dye is preferably a cyanine dye, a merocyanine dye or an oxonol dye, and a non-resonant two-photon absorbing material is provided, comprising a non-resonant two-photon absorbing compound undergoing non-resonant two-photon absorption in the intermolecular aggregation state.

Abstract: A stray light cutting structure for an optical device provided with an optical component through which a predetermined light beam travels in parallel to the optical axis of the optical device is provided. The structure is for cutting stray light, which travels at an angle to the optical axis of the optical device to enter the optical component through one end face thereof, and includes at least one notch formed on one side face of the optical component.

Abstract: In an optical element, a propagation direction of incident light beam is largely changed and the direction-changed light beam is derived in a desirable direction without increasing a dimension and manufacturing cost thereof. The optical element includes photonic crystal having a refractive index which changes periodically depending on a location of the photonic crystal, wherein an angle defined between a first end face and a second end face thereof is determined in such a manner that a light beam incident upon the first end face at a predetermined incidence angle and having a predetermined wavelength is emitted from the second end face in a desirable direction.

Abstract: A measuring chip comprising a dielectric block and a thin film layer formed on one surface of the dielectric block. The thin film layer is used for placing a sample thereon. The dielectric block is formed as a single block, which includes an entrance surface at which a light beam enters the dielectric block, an exit surface from which the light beam emerges, and the one surface on which the thin film layer is formed. In addition, the dielectric block is integrated with the thin film layer and formed from a resin whose photoelastic coefficient is less than 50×10−12 Pa−1.

Abstract: An optical deflection element for splitting light rays in accordance with a wavelength of incident light, includes a photonic crystal having an entrance end face and an exit end face, and having a refractive index which periodically changes depending upon positions thereof. The optical deflection element includes a region in which a propagation angle &thgr;C of the incident light within the photonic crystal changes in accordance with the wavelength of the incident light having entered at an incident angle &thgr;IN into the entrance end face, and a relationship among a wavelength &lgr; of the incident light in vacuum, a lattice constant A of the photonic crystal, the incident angle &thgr;IN and the propagation angle &thgr;C satisfies (∂&thgr;C/∂(A/&lgr;))/(∂&thgr;C/∂&thgr;IN)>10.

Abstract: Disclosed is a two-photon absorption composition containing a two-photon absorbing compound having a two-photon absorption cross-section of 102 GM (1 GM=1×10−50 cm4 s molecule−1 photon−1) or more. The high sensitive two-photon absorption composition which can bring about two-photon absorption using a laser having a relatively low power is provided.

Abstract: A sensor comprising a light source for emitting a light beam, and a measuring chip. The measuring chip includes a dielectric block transparent to the light beam, a thin film layer formed on the dielectric block, and a liquid-sample holding mechanism for holding a liquid sample. The sensor also comprises an optical system for making the light beam enter the dielectric block at an angle of incidence so that a total internal reflection condition is satisfied at an interface between the dielectric block and the thin film layer. The sensor further comprises a photodetector for detecting the intensity of the light beam totally reflected at the interface, and a measuring section for measuring a state of attenuated total reflection, based on the result of detection obtained by the photodetector. The irradiation energy of the light beam at the interface is 100 mJ/mm2 or less.

Abstract: An optical element has a small reflection loss of light on a boundary surface between a photonic crystal and the normal medium. The optical element includes: a normal medium region having a first refractive index; a photonic crystal region having a refractive index which is changed periodically depending upon a position thereof, the photonic crystal region having as an averaged refractive index a second refractive index different from the first refractive index; and an intermediate region interposed between the normal medium region and the photonic crystal region, the intermediate region having a refractive index which is gradually changed from the first refractive index to the second refractive index.

Abstract: A highly accurate structure is optically fabricated simply and in a short time. Rough optical fabrication using an ultraviolet-irradiation optical fabrication process is carried out for a photo-curing resin by emission of a laser beam from a first light source, and thereafter, fine optical fabrication using a two-photon absorption optical fabrication process is carried out by emission of a laser beam from a second light source. As a result, it is possible to realize optical fabrication which allows fabrication of a fine structure using a two-photon absorption optical fabrication process while realizing high speed processing using the ultraviolet-irradiation optical fabrication process.

Abstract: A stray light cutting structure for an optical device provided with an optical component through which a predetermined light beam travels in parallel to the optical axis of the optical device is provided. The structure is for cutting stray light, which travels at an angle to the optical axis of the optical device to enter the optical component through one end face thereof, and includes at least one notch formed on one side face of the optical component.

Abstract: An optical element has a small reflection loss of light on a boundary surface between a photonic crystal and the normal medium. The optical element includes: a normal medium region having a first refractive index; a photonic crystal region having a refractive index which is changed periodically depending upon a position thereof, the photonic crystal region having as an averaged refractive index a second refractive index different from the first refractive index; and an intermediate region interposed between the normal medium region and the photonic crystal region, the intermediate region having a refractive index which is gradually changed from the first refractive index to the second refractive index.

Abstract: In an optical element, a propagation direction of incident light beam is largely changed and the direction-changed light beam is derived in a desirable direction without increasing a dimension and manufacturing cost thereof. The optical element includes photonic crystal having a refractive index which changes periodically depending on a location of the photonic crystal, wherein an angle defined between a first end face and a second end face thereof is determined in such a manner that a light beam incident upon the first end face at a predetermined incidence angle and having a predetermined wavelength is emitted from the second end face in a desirable direction.