US 12,449,711 B2
Optical scanning element
Kentaro Tani, Miyoshi (JP); and Jungo Kondo, Nagoya (JP)
Assigned to NGK INSULATORS, LTD., Nagoya (JP)
Filed by NGK INSULATORS, LTD., Nagoya (JP)
Filed on Jun. 8, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/331,270.
Application 18/331,270 is a continuation of application No. PCT/JP2021/030283, filed on Aug. 19, 2021.
Claims priority of application No. 2021-014636 (JP), filed on Feb. 1, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2023/0314899 A1, Oct. 5, 2023
Int. Cl. G02F 1/295 (2006.01)
CPC G02F 1/2955 (2013.01) [G02F 2202/32 (2013.01)] 9 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An optical scanning element, comprising:
first light-deflecting means for emitting light to a first area; and
second light-deflecting means for emitting the light that has been emitted to the first area to a second area wider than the first area,
wherein the first light-deflecting means is configured to be changed in refractive index by a change in applied voltage, and to adjust the first area through the change in refractive index,
wherein the second light-deflecting means is configured to adjust the second area through diffraction, and
wherein the first light-deflecting means includes:
an optical waveguide;
a diffraction grating arranged in at least one portion selected from an upper portion, a left side surface portion, and a right side surface portion of the optical waveguide; and
electrodes arranged on a left side and a right side of the optical waveguide, and
is configured so that an emission angle of light emitted from an upper surface of the optical waveguide changes.