Optical component and light control device using the optical component

Abstract

An optical component has an optical functional layer with variable light transmittance disposed between multiple light guide plates. The optical functional layer has a main surface provided with a light-receiving section that receives a control light that causes the light transmittance of the optical functional layer to change, and an end surface provided with a light leakage prevention section that reflects the control light. The light-receiving section includes a transmission type diffraction grating. A non-transmissive section that absorbs or reflects the control light is provided between the light guide plates in a path of a zero-order light of the control light transmitted through the transmission type diffraction grating. With this structure, an optical component and a light control device can be provided in which deterioration of the non-transmissive section is prevented and the control light is not visible from either the control light irradiation side or the opposite side.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.