Liquid crystal optical element and image display apparatus

摘要

A liquid crystal optical element (1) according to an embodiment includes: a first substrate (10); an insulating layer (11) provided onto a first surface of the first substrate (10); a pair of first electrodes (12) being provided onto the insulating layer (11), extending in a first direction (Y), and being arranged in a second direction (X) perpendicular to the first direction (Y); a pair of second electrodes (14) being provided between the pair of first electrodes (12) on the first surface, extending in the first direction (Y), and being arranged in the second direction (X); a second substrate (20) having a second surface facing the first surface of the first substrate (10); a counter electrode (22) provided onto the second surface; and a liquid crystal layer (30) provided between the first substrate (10) and the second substrate (20), the insulating layer (11) having a groove (11a) being provided near a region of the insulating layer (11) immediately below each of the second electrodes (14), and extending in the first direction (Y).