A distributed feedback laser comprising: waveguide (4) having a hologram
(10) capable of emitting radiation mode light in upper and lower
directions; first reflector (20) provided below said waveguide for
returning said radiation mode light back to said waveguide; and second
reflector (21A, 21B, 21C, 21D, 21E) provided above said waveguide for
returning said radiation mode light back to said waveguide, intensity
profile of said radiation mode light on said waveguide being non-uniform
is disclosed. Also, by using 2nd- or higher-order diffraction gratings
having an asymmetric cross-sectional configuration together with a
reflection structure located at one side thereof, a highly directional
optical isolator can be provided. Further, the present invention provides
an optical functional element comprising: first waveguide which guides
optical waves and has a grain or a loss, said waveguide having a hologram
(202) capable of coupling with said optical waves guided by said waveguide
to generate radiation mode light; amplifier (203) for amplifying said
radiation mode light released from said first waveguide and releasing it;
and first reflector (204) for reflecting said radiation mode light emitted
from said amplifier back to said first waveguide.