Patent ID: 7379247
Filing Date: 2008-05-27
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
1. An image pickup apparatus comprising: an optical path splitting element; an optical system including a variable-optical-power element which is substantially immobile in an optical axis direction and a reflective surface; and an image pickup surface, the optical path splitting element, the optical system, and the image pickup surface being arranged so that a light flux incoming from an object side passes through the optical path splitting element, enters the optical system, is reflected by the reflective surface, is emitted from the optical system toward the optical path splitting element, is reflected by the optical path splitting element, and then strikes on the image pickup surface; wherein the optical path splitting element is a polarized half mirror, and a λ/4 plate is disposed between the optical path splitting element and the reflective surface; wherein the variable-optical-power element includes a liquid crystal lens which is disposed between the λ/4 plate and the reflective surface, a polarization plate is disposed between the λ/4 plate and the liquid crystal lens, and the polarization plate is disposed so as to maximize a quantity of light flux to be emitted from the λ/4 plate and transmitted through the polarization plate.