Patent ID: 7787190
Filing Date: 2010-08-31
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
1. An optical element comprising: a first liquid; a second liquid that is immiscible with the first liquid and that has polarity or electrical conductivity; a first substrate portion including a first substrate having optical transparency, a first electrode disposed on a surface of the first substrate and having optical transparency, an insulating film disposed on the first electrode and having optical transparency, and a first film disposed on the insulating film and having higher affinity with the first liquid than with the second liquid and optical transparency; a second substrate portion including a second substrate having optical transparency, a second film disposed on a surface of the second substrate and having higher affinity with the second liquid than with the first liquid and optical transparency, and a third film disposed at the center of the second film and having higher affinity with the first liquid than with the second liquid and optical transparency; a sidewall portion connecting the first substrate portion to the second substrate portion so that the first film and the second film face each other; a second electrode disposed on one of the second substrate portion and the sidewall portion; and an accommodating portion constituted by the first substrate portion, the second substrate portion, and the sidewall portion and sealing the first liquid and the second liquid therein.