OPTICAL DEVICE, OPTICAL SCANNER AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an optical device that has a large turning angle while attaining energy saving and miniaturization, and to provide an optical scanner and an image forming apparatus. SOLUTION: The optical device is composed of: a mass section 21 having a light reflection part 6; a support section 24; a pair of elastic sections 22, 23; and a driving means for turning the mass section 21. The device is structured such that, by operating the driving means, while the elastic sections 22, 23 are twisted and deformed, the mass section 21 is turned to scan light by the light reflection part 6. The driving means is provided with: a magnetic part 41 that is installed in the mass section 21 and magnetized in a direction orthogonal to the face of the mass section; and a magnetic field generating means that is equipped with a pair of magnetic poles 511, 521, wherein the pair of magnetic poles 511, 521 are installed opposite to each other, via the mass section 21, in a direction orthogonal to the turning center axis X thereof, in the plan view of the non-driven mass section 21. The optical device is structured such that the mass section 21 is turned with respect to the support section 24 by generating a magnetic field between the pair of magnetic poles 511, 521 by the magnetic field generating means. COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT