PURPOSE: To realize an elastic wave element capable of performing variable band area control linearly by generating a magnetostrictive pulse at a magnetostrictive substrate by a magnetostrictive pulse generating means, and generating an electrical signal by a magnetostrictive pulse detecting means by propagating the pulse to the substrate.

CONSTITUTION: A DC current whose magnitude can be controlled from a power source is applied to a magnetic field generating means 70, and the magnetostrictive substrate 10 is freely expanded/shrunk by a magnetostrictive effect corresponding to the on/off control and the magnitude of the current. When the substrate 10 is expanded/shrunk, sound velocity (v) propagating on the surface of or the inside through the substrate is varied, therefore, a band area with central frequency (f) can be freely controlled according to equation f=v/l. When the substrate 10 is expanded/shrunk, a gap (d) between coils 21 and 22 is varied at a magnetic pulse generating means, while, a gap (d) between coils 31 and 32 at a magnetic pulse generating means 30. Therefore, the band area with the frequency (f) can be freely controlled. The elastic wave element can be obtained only by adhering the means 20, 30, and 70 at the prescribed position of the substrate 10, and easy manufacturing can be performed even on a micro substrate. Furthermore, the variable band area control can be performed linearly only by turning on/off or controlling an impression current to the means 70.