Importance

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Abstract

An optical diode (1) comprising an optical wave guide for guiding light, preferably of a light mode, with a vacuum wavelength λ₀, wherein the optical wave guide has a wave guide core (2, 3, 14) with a first index of refraction (n₁), and the wave guide core (2, 3, 14) is surrounded by at least one second optical medium which has at least one second index of refraction (n2), wherein n₁>n₂ applies, wherein the wave guide core (2, 3, 14) has at least in sections a smallest lateral dimension (7) which is a smallest dimension of a cross section (6) perpendicular to a propagation direction (5) of the light in the wave guide core (2, 3, 14), wherein the smallest lateral dimension (7) is greater than or equal to λ₀/(5*n₁) and less than or equal to 20*λ₀/n₁, wherein the optical diode (1) additionally comprises at least one absorber element (10, 11, 15, 16) which is arranged in a near field, wherein the near field consists of the electromagnetic field of the light of the vacuum wavelength λ₀ in the wave guide core (2, 3, 14) and outside of the wave guide core (2, 3, 14) up to a standard interval (12) of 5*λ₀, wherein the standard interval (12) is measured starting from one surface (8) of the wave guide core (2, 3, 14) forming an optical interface and in a direction perpendicular to the surface (8). The invention provides that the at least one absorber element (10, 11, 15, 16) for the light of the vacuum wavelength λ₀ has a strongly different absorption for left circular polarization (σ⁻) and for right circular polarization (σ⁺).

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First Claim