Abstract: A liquid crystal element is provided that can inhibit occurrence of voltage drop between one end and the other end of each electrode. A liquid crystal element (100) includes a liquid crystal layer LQ, a plurality of first arcuate electrodes (1), and a plurality of second arcuate electrodes (2). The first arcuate electrodes (1) are disposed concentrically about an optical axis (AX) of the liquid crystal element (100) and applies first voltage (Vi) to the liquid crystal layer (LQ). The second arcuate electrodes (2) are disposed concentrically about the optical axis (AX) and applies second voltage (V2) to the liquid crystal layer (LQ).

Abstract: This liquid crystal element comprises a liquid crystal layer LC and a plurality of unit-electrodes U1 and U2, each including a first electrode E1 that is linearly formed, a second electrode E2 that is linearly formed and receives a voltage different from that of the first electrode E1, and a resistive layer HR having higher electric resistivity than the first electrode E1 and the second electrode E2, characterized in that the resistive layer HR in each of the plurality of unit-electrodes U1 and U2 is separated from the resistive layer HR in the adjacent unit-electrodes U1 and U2 and is disposed in a region AR between the first electrode E1 and the second electrode E2 in a plan view, and at least some unit-electrodes U2 from among the plurality of unit-electrodes U1 and U2 have an auxiliary electrode EC in the region AR, the auxiliary electrode EC being linearly formed with a line width equal to or smaller than the line width of at least one of the first electrode E1 and the second electrode E2.

Abstract: A liquid crystal element is provided that can inhibit occurrence of voltage drop between one end and the other end of each electrode. A liquid crystal element (100) includes a liquid crystal layer LQ, a plurality of first arcuate electrodes (1), and a plurality of second arcuate electrodes (2). The first arcuate electrodes (1) are disposed concentrically about an optical axis (AX) of the liquid crystal element (100) and applies first voltage (V1) to the liquid crystal layer (LQ). The second arcuate electrodes (2) are disposed concentrically about the optical axis (AX) and applies second voltage (V2) to the liquid crystal layer (LQ).

Abstract: A liquid crystal element (100) includes a plurality of unit electrodes (10), a liquid crystal layer (LQ), and a plurality of wall members (WL). Each of the unit electrodes (10) includes a first electrode (1) and a second electrode (2). A voltage is applied to the liquid crystal layer (LQ) from each of the unit electrodes (10). The wall members (WL) are arranged in the liquid crystal layer (LQ). The liquid crystal layer (LQ) has a waveform retardation (RT). Two or more of a plurality of peaks (P1) in the retardation (RT) correspond to positions of respective wall members (WL).

Abstract: A liquid crystal element (100) refracts and outputs light. The liquid crystal element (100) includes a first electrode (1), a second electrode (2), an insulating layer (21) that is an electric insulator, a resistance layer (22), a liquid crystal layer (23) including liquid crystal, and a third electrode (3). The insulating layer (21) is disposed between each location of the first and second electrodes (1) and (2) and the resistance layer (22) to insulate the first and second electrodes (1) and (2) from the resistance layer (22). The resistance layer (22) has an electrical resistivity higher than that of the first electrode (1) and lower than that of the insulating layer (21). The resistance layer (22) and the liquid crystal layer (23) are disposed between the insulating layer (21) and the third electrode (3). The resistance layer (22) is disposed between the insulating layer (21) and the liquid crystal layer (23).

Abstract: A liquid crystal element is provided that can inhibit occurrence of voltage drop between one end and the other end of each electrode. A liquid crystal element (100) includes a liquid crystal layer LQ, a plurality of first arcuate electrodes (1), and a plurality of second arcuate electrodes (2). The first arcuate electrodes (1) are disposed concentrically about an optical axis (AX) of the liquid crystal element (100) and applies first voltage (V1) to the liquid crystal layer (LQ). The second arcuate electrodes (2) are disposed concentrically about the optical axis (AX) and applies second voltage (V2) to the liquid crystal layer (LQ).

Abstract: A liquid crystal element (100) includes a plurality of unit electrodes (10), a liquid crystal layer (LQ), and a plurality of wall members (WL). Each of the unit electrodes (10) includes a first electrode (1) and a second electrode (2). A voltage is applied to the liquid crystal layer (LQ) from each of the unit electrodes (10). The wall members (WL) are arranged in the liquid crystal layer (LQ). The liquid crystal layer (LQ) has a waveform retardation (RT). Two or more of a plurality of peaks (P1) in the retardation (RT) correspond to positions of respective wall members (WL).

Abstract: A liquid crystal element (100) refracts and outputs light. The liquid crystal element (100) includes a first electrode (1), a second electrode (2), an insulating layer (21) that is an electric insulator, a resistance layer (22), a liquid crystal layer (23) including liquid crystal, and a third electrode (3). The insulating layer (21) is disposed between each location of the first and second electrodes (1) and (2) and the resistance layer (22) to insulate the first and second electrodes (1) and (2) from the resistance layer (22). The resistance layer (22) has an electrical resistivity higher than that of the first electrode (1) and lower than that of the insulating layer (21). The resistance layer (22) and the liquid crystal layer (23) are disposed between the insulating layer (21) and the third electrode (3). The resistance layer (22) is disposed between the insulating layer (21) and the liquid crystal layer (23).

Abstract: A liquid crystal element (100) refracts and outputs light. The liquid crystal element (100) includes a first electrode (1), a second electrode (2), an insulating layer (21) that is an electric insulator, a resistance layer (22), a liquid crystal layer (23) including liquid crystal, and a third electrode (3). The insulating layer (21) is disposed between each location of the first and second electrodes (1) and (2) and the resistance layer (22) to insulate the first and second electrodes (1) and (2) from the resistance layer (22). The resistance layer (22) has an electrical resistivity higher than that of the first electrode (1) and lower than that of the insulating layer (21). The resistance layer (22) and the liquid crystal layer (23) are disposed between the insulating layer (21) and the third electrode (3). The resistance layer (22) is disposed between the insulating layer (21) and the liquid crystal layer (23).

Abstract: A liquid crystal element (100) refracts and outputs light. The liquid crystal element (100) includes a first electrode (1), a second electrode (2), an insulating layer (21) that is an electric insulator, a resistance layer (22), a liquid crystal layer (23) including liquid crystal, and a third electrode (3). The insulating layer (21) is disposed between each location of the first and second electrodes (1) and (2) and the resistance layer (22) to insulate the first and second electrodes (1) and (2) from the resistance layer (22). The resistance layer (22) has an electrical resistivity higher than that of the first electrode (1) and lower than that of the insulating layer (21). The resistance layer (22) and the liquid crystal layer (23) are disposed between the insulating layer (21) and the third electrode (3). The resistance layer (22) is disposed between the insulating layer (21) and the liquid crystal layer (23).

Abstract: A liquid crystal element (100) refracts and outputs light. The liquid crystal element (100) includes a first electrode (1), a second electrode (2), an insulating layer (21) that is an electric insulator, a resistance layer (22), a liquid crystal layer (23) including liquid crystal, and a third electrode (3). The insulating layer (21) is disposed between each location of the first and second electrodes (1) and (2) and the resistance layer (22) to insulate the first and second electrodes (1) and (2) from the resistance layer (22). The resistance layer (22) has an electrical resistivity higher than that of the first electrode (1) and lower than that of the insulating layer (21). The resistance layer (22) and the liquid crystal layer (23) are disposed between the insulating layer (21) and the third electrode (3). The resistance layer (22) is disposed between the insulating layer (21) and the liquid crystal layer (23).

Abstract: Glasses controls light that is to enter an eye. The glasses includes an optical element and a control section. The optical element includes a liquid crystal layer that refracts the light. The control section controls refraction of the light by forming an electric potential gradient in a saw-tooth shape in the liquid crystal layer through application of control voltage to the liquid crystal layer.

Abstract: A liquid crystal element (100) refracts and outputs light. The liquid crystal element (100) includes a first electrode (1), a second electrode (2), an insulating layer (21) that is an electric insulator, a resistance layer (22), a liquid crystal layer (23) including liquid crystal, and a third electrode (3). The insulating layer (21) is disposed between each location of the first and second electrodes (1) and (2) and the resistance layer (22) to insulate the first and second electrodes (1) and (2) from the resistance layer (22). The resistance layer (22) has an electrical resistivity higher than that of the first electrode (1) and lower than that of the insulating layer (21). The resistance layer (22) and the liquid crystal layer (23) are disposed between the insulating layer (21) and the third electrode (3). The resistance layer (22) is disposed between the insulating layer (21) and the liquid crystal layer (23).

Abstract: Glasses controls light that is to enter an eye. The glasses includes an optical element and a control section. The optical element includes a liquid crystal layer that refracts the light. The control section controls refraction of the light by forming an electric potential gradient in a saw-tooth shape in the liquid crystal layer through application of control voltage to the liquid crystal layer.

Abstract: A liquid crystal element includes: a first electrode to which a first voltage is applied; a second electrode to which a second voltage is applied; an insulating layer that is an electrical insulator; a highly resistive layer; a liquid crystal layer containing liquid crystal; a third electrode to which a third voltage is applied; a first boundary layer that is an electrical insulator; and a second boundary layer that faces the first boundary layer with the insulating layer therebetween. The insulating layer is located among the first electrode, the second electrode, and the highly resistive layer, and insulates the first electrode, the second electrode, and the highly resistive layer from one another. The highly resistive layer has an electric resistivity higher than each of electric resistivities of the first electrode and the second electrode, and lower than an electric resistivity of the insulating layer.

Abstract: A liquid crystal element includes: a first electrode to which a first voltage is applied; a second electrode to which a second voltage is applied; an insulating layer that is an electrical insulator; a highly resistive layer; a liquid crystal layer containing liquid crystal; a third electrode to which a third voltage is applied; a first boundary layer that is an electrical insulator; and a second boundary layer that faces the first boundary layer with the insulating layer therebetween. The insulating layer is located among the first electrode, the second electrode, and the highly resistive layer, and insulates the first electrode, the second electrode, and the highly resistive layer from one another. The highly resistive layer has an electric resistivity higher than each of electric resistivities of the first electrode and the second electrode, and lower than an electric resistivity of the insulating layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a diffraction grating, a light-receiving element, and an optical head and an optical recording/reproducing apparatus utilizing them and provides a diffraction grating and a light-receiving element capable of detecting a signal of high quality and an optical head and an optical recording/reproducing apparatus utilizing them. A diffraction grating includes a diffracting region which is formed only on a light exit surface and which diffracts and separates first laser light or second laser light emitted by a two-wavelength semiconductor laser to generate a main beam and positive and negative first order sub beams. The depth of concavity formed on the diffracting region is 220 nm. The irregularities are formed such that the pitch length thereof is 22 ?m and such that a convexity thereof has a width of 17.6 ?m. The ratio of the width of the convexity to the pitch length of the irregularities is 0.8.

Abstract: The invention relates to a light-receiving element for receiving a reflection of laser light irradiated to a rotating multi-layer recording medium having a plurality of information recording layers stacked one over another and for converting the light into an electrical signal, an optical head having the element for recording information in the multi-layer recording medium or reproducing information recorded therein, and an optical recording/reproducing apparatus and a method of optical recording and reproduction. The invention provides a light-receiving element, an optical head, an optical recording/reproducing apparatus, and a method of optical recording and reproduction which make it possible to eliminate a noise component superimposed on reflected light from a multi-layer recording medium to reproduce an RF signal of high quality.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for discriminating an optical recording medium and a method for discriminating an optical recording medium which can reliably discriminate the kind of an optical recording medium even in the case where the optical recording medium to be discriminated is formed with periodical undulation in the circumferential direction thereof. The apparatus for discriminating an optical recording medium according to the present invention includes a first electrode 11, a second electrode 12, an alternate current signal generation circuit 13 for applying an alternate current A to the first electrode 11, a detection circuit 14 for detecting a level of an alternate current B appearing at the second electrode 12, and a control circuit 15 for controlling the operations of the alternate current signal generation circuit 13 and the detection circuit 14.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and an apparatus for discriminating the type of an optical recording medium and the number of recording layers in the medium. The apparatus includes a first electrode and a second electrode placed in the vicinity of a light transmission layer of the recording medium, an alternating current signal generation circuit for applying an alternating current A to the first electrode, a detection circuit for detecting the level of an alternating current B appearing at the second electrode, and a control circuit for controlling the operations of the alternating current signal generation circuit and the detection circuit, and a table provided in the control circuit.