OPTICAL ELEMENT, LIGHT MODULATING ELEMENT, LENS MATERIAL, DISPLAY MATERIAL, WINDOW MATERIAL, AND MIRROR MATERIAL

摘要

[Problem] To provide an optical element that can switch between a light shielding mode and a light passing mode without requiring a drive voltage or physical manipulation and has a fast switching speed, as well as a light modulating element, a lens material, a display material, a window material, and a mirror material. [Solution] Extremely quick switching between a light shielding mode and a light passing mode is made possible by forming a light modulating element in which a photochromic material (2) is dispersed in a high refractive index material (1), the photochromic material (2) is sandwiched by the high refractive index material (1), or the high refractive index material (1) is sandwiched by the photochromic material (2), and irradiating the material with light from the end of the element.