Abstract: Provided is a liquid crystal lens having low wavefront aberration. A liquid crystal lens (1) includes a liquid crystal layer (11), a first electrode (21), a second electrode (22), and a third electrode (23). The first electrode (21) is provided with an opening (21a) and a communicating cutout (21b) formed therein, the communicating cutout (21b) allowing the opening (21a) to communicate with the outside. The second electrode (22) includes a main electrode portion (22a) and a linear leading electrode portion (22b). The main electrode portion (22a) is disposed within the opening (21a). The main electrode portion (22a) is electrically insulated from the first electrode (21). The leading electrode portion (22b) is electrically connected to the main electrode portion (22a). The leading electrode portion (22b) is disposed within the communicating cutout (21b). The third electrode (23) faces at least part of the first and second electrodes (21, 22).

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a liquid-crystal lens having excellent imaging performance. A liquid-crystal lens (1) according to the present invention includes a first liquid-crystal layer (11), a second liquid-crystal layer (12), a third liquid-crystal layer (13), and a fourth liquid-crystal layer (14) which are arranged in this order along an optical axis (C). The first liquid-crystal layer (11) and the second liquid-crystal layer (12) are 90° different in alignment direction from each other in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis (C). The first liquid-crystal layer (11) and the fourth liquid-crystal layer (14) are 180° different in alignment direction from each other in the plane perpendicular to the optical axis (C). The second liquid-crystal layer (12) and the third liquid-crystal layer (13) are 180° different in alignment direction from each other in the plane perpendicular to the optical axis (C).

Abstract: Provided is a liquid crystal element in which the liquid crystal layer shows less thickness variation. A spacer 12 includes a first spacer 12a, a second spacer 12b made of resin, and a third space 12c made of resin. The first spacer 12a is formed of an annular glass or metal sheet in which an opening 12a1 constituting an interior space 18 is formed. The second spacer 12b has a smaller thickness than the first spacer 12a. The third spacer 12c has a smaller thickness than the first spacer 12a. An opening 12b2, 12c2 connected to the opening 12a1 in the first spacer 12a and constituting an inlet 17 is formed in at least one of the second and third spacers 12b, 12c.

Abstract: Provided is a liquid crystal lens having low wavefront aberration. A liquid crystal lens (1) includes a liquid crystal layer (11), a first electrode (21), a second electrode (22), and a third electrode (23). The first electrode (21) is provided with an opening (21a) and a communicating cutout (21b) formed therein, the communicating cutout (21b) allowing the opening (21a) to communicate with the outside. The second electrode (22) includes a main electrode portion (22a) and a linear leading electrode portion (22b). The main electrode portion (22a) is disposed within the opening (21a). The main electrode portion (22a) is electrically insulated from the first electrode (21). The leading electrode portion (22b) is electrically connected to the main electrode portion (22a). The leading electrode portion (22b) is disposed within the communicating cutout (21b). The third electrode (23) faces at least part of the first and second electrodes (21, 22).

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a liquid-crystal lens having excellent imaging performance. A liquid-crystal lens (1) according to the present invention includes a first liquid-crystal layer (11), a second liquid-crystal layer (12), a third liquid-crystal layer (13), and a fourth liquid-crystal layer (14) which are arranged in this order along an optical axis (C). The first liquid-crystal layer (11) and the second liquid-crystal layer (12) are 90° different in alignment direction from each other in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis (C). The first liquid-crystal layer (11) and the fourth liquid-crystal layer (14) are 180° different in alignment direction from each other in the plane perpendicular to the optical axis (C). The second liquid-crystal layer (12) and the third liquid-crystal layer (13) are 180° different in alignment direction from each other in the plane perpendicular to the optical axis (C).

Abstract: Provided is a liquid crystal element in which the liquid crystal layer shows less thickness variation. A spacer 12 includes a first spacer 12a, a second spacer 12b made of resin, and a third space 12c made of resin. The first spacer 12a is formed of an annular glass or metal sheet in which an opening 12a1 constituting an interior space 18 is formed. The second spacer 12b has a smaller thickness than the first spacer 12a. The third spacer 12c has a smaller thickness than the first spacer 12a. An opening 12b2, 12c2 connected to the opening 12a1 in the first spacer 12a and constituting an inlet 17 is formed in at least one of the second and third spacers 12b, 12c.