OPTICAL ELEMENT AND OPTICAL DEVICE HAVING THIS OPTICAL ELEMENT

摘要

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an optical element with which the driving control in respective two directions of an optical axis direction and a direction perpendicular to the optical axis is possible when the optical element utilizing an electrowetting effect is built into an optical device and the optical device having this optical element. SOLUTION: This optical element is formed by hermetically sealing a conductive or polar first liquid and a second liquid immiscible with the first liquid to each other into a container in the state that their boundaries constitute a prescribed shape and its optical characteristics are changed by a change in the boundary shape by impression of voltage to the electrodes disposed in this container. The boundaries in the container are moved in a direction approximately perpendicular to the central axis thereof by imparting a potential gradient to the liquids through the electrodes described above.