Optical element

Abstract

An optical element includes a container including first and second end face walls, a side face wall, and an accommodating chamber inside the walls; first and second liquids enclosed in the chamber; a first electrode provided on a surface of the first end face wall; a second electrode provided on a surface of the second end face wall; an insulating film provided on a surface of the second electrode; and a unit configured to apply a voltage. The shape of an interface between the liquids is changed by a voltage application, and a light transmission path, the center of which is a virtual axis passing through the end face walls in the thickness direction of the container, is formed in a portion of the second liquid. An opening having a diameter the same as or larger than the maximum diameter of the transmission path is provided in the first electrode.

1 . An optical element comprising:
 a container including a first wall and a second wall facing each other, and a chamber between the first wall and the second wall;   a first liquid having polarity or electrical conductivity and enclosed in the chamber;   a second liquid immiscible with the first liquid and enclosed in the chamber;   a first electrode and a second electrode configured to apply an electric field to the first liquid;   an insulating film; and   a unit configured to apply a voltage between the first electrode and the second electrode, wherein applying the voltage changes a shape of an interface between the first liquid and the second liquid to a curved surface, a center of which is a virtual axis passing through the first wall and the second wall and extending in a thickness direction of the container, which is a direction in which the first wall and the second wall face each other, thereby refracting light traveling in a direction of the virtual axis and passing through the interface,   the first electrode is provided on an inner surface of the first wall, the inner surface of the first wall facing the chamber,   the second electrode is provided on an inner surface of the second wall, the inner surface of the second wall facing the chamber,   the insulating film is provided on a surface of the second electrode, the surface of the second electrode facing the chamber, and   when viewed from the thickness direction of the container, an opening having a diameter the same as or smaller than a maximum diameter of the interface is provided in the second electrode.   
     
     
         2 . The optical element according to  claim 1 , further comprising an opening in the insulating film with a diameter the same as or smaller than the diameter of the opening in the second electrode. 
     
     
         3 . The optical element according to  claim 1 , wherein the first liquid comprises water and ethanol combined in a first ratio. 
     
     
         4 . The optical element according to  claim 1 , wherein the second liquid comprises at least two different types of silicone oil combined in a second ratio. 
     
     
         5 . An optical element comprising:
 a container including a first wall and a second wall facing each other, and a chamber between the first wall and the second wall;   a first liquid enclosed in the chamber;   a second liquid immiscible with the first liquid and enclosed in the chamber;   a first electrode;   a second electrode; and   an insulating film;   wherein, a shape of an interface between the first liquid and the second liquid is changed by applying a voltage between the first electrode and the second electrode such that a light transmission path, a center of which is a virtual axis passing through the first wall and the second wall, is formed in a portion of the second liquid,   the second electrode is provided at an inner surface of the second wall, the inner surface of the second wall facing the chamber,   the insulating film is provided on a surface of the second electrode, the surface of the second electrode facing the chamber; and   when viewed along the virtual axis, an opening having a diameter the same as or smaller than a maximum diameter of the light transmission path is provided in the second electrode.   
     
     
         6 . The optical element according to  claim 5 , further comprising an opening in the insulating film with a diameter the same as or smaller than the diameter of the opening in the second electrode. 
     
     
         7 . The optical element according to  claim 5 , wherein the first liquid comprises at least two different liquids combined in a first ratio. 
     
     
         8 . The optical element according to  claim 5 , wherein the second liquid comprises at least two different liquids combined in a second ratio. 
     
     
         9 . An optical element comprising:
 a container including a first wall and a second wall facing each other, and a chamber between the first wall and the second wall;   a first liquid enclosed in the chamber;   a second liquid immiscible with the first liquid and enclosed in the chamber;   a first electrode;   a second electrode; and   an insulating film;   wherein, a shape of an interface between the first liquid and the second liquid is changed by applying a voltage between the first electrode and the second electrode, such that a light transmission path, a center of which is a virtual axis passing through the first wall and the second wall, is formed,   the second electrode is provided at an inner surface of the second wall, the inner surface of the second wall facing the chamber,   the insulating film is provided on a surface of the second electrode, the surface of the second electrode facing the chamber; and   when viewed along the virtual axis, an opening having a diameter the same as or smaller than a maximum diameter of the interface is provided in the second electrode.   
     
     
         10 . The optical element according to  claim 9 , further comprising an opening in the insulating film with a diameter the same as or smaller than the diameter of the opening in the second electrode. 
     
     
         11 . The optical element according to  claim 9 , wherein the first liquid comprises at least two different liquids combined in a first ratio. 
     
     
         12 . The optical element according to  claim 9 , wherein the second liquid comprises at least two different liquids combined in a second ratio.