A new type of optical deflector with a graded refractive index region is pr
oposed. For this device, two types of structure, a multielectrode type and
a comblike electrode type, have been numerically analyzed using the finite
difference beam propagation method to show results :such as the dependence
of the deflection angle and the deflection efficiency on the structure. We
fabricated this optical deflector using a GaInAs/InP MQW structure, and we
confirmed the fundamental optical deflection and the wavelength dependence
of the device. (C) 1999 Scripta Technica.