OPTICAL ELEMENT, ARTICLE WITH LABEL, OPTICAL KIT, AND DISCRIMINATION METHOD

摘要

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To variously change an image displayed by an optical element including a solidified liquid crystal material according to the observation condition. SOLUTION: The optical element 10 comprises a light transmissive orientation layer 13 including one or more orientation regions having respectively a plurality of grooves aligned in a longitudinal direction and adjacent in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction on one main surface; a birefringent layer 15 supported by the main surface and formed of a solidified liquid crystal material; a first reflecting layer 12 opposed to the orientation layer 13 across the birefringent layer 15, and emitting polarizing reflected light when a polarizing parallel light is emitted to the one main surface; and a second reflecting layer 14 interposed between the orientation layer 13 and the birefringent layer 15. COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT