Patent Publication Number: US-2012045619-A1

Title: Substrate provided with optical structure and optical element using the same

Description:
This application is a new U.S. patent application that claims benefit of JP 2010-184951, filed on Aug. 20, 2010, the entire content of JP 2010-184951 is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a substrate provided with an optical structure and an optical element which uses such a substrate. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     In recent years, various types of lenses such as Fresnel lenses, constituting a thin optical structure formed from resin, have been in frequent use due to weight-reduction and cost-reduction demands. 
     However, in the case where a Fresnel lens is formed via a UV curing method using a mold, a problem exists with curling and wrinkling occurring in each optical structure constituting a Fresnel lens due to volume shrinkage that occurs during the curing of the resin. 
     To solve this problem, a Fresnel lens is known in which the volume for each pitch of the lens resin layer having a prismatic unit lens is formed evenly over every zone of the Fresnel lens (e.g., Patent Document 1).
     Patent Document 1: JP H08-94808-A (FIG. 1, Pg. 2)   

     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The manufacturing method of a Fresnel lens will be discussed using  FIG. 7 .  FIG. 7  shows explanatory drawings of an imprint (transfer) process of a Fresnel lens  50 . Hereinbelow, an example of the use of a light-curing resin as an imprinting resin which is cured via ultraviolet rays (UV), visible light, or infrared light, will be described. 
     Firstly, as shown in  FIG. 7(   a ), a light-curing resin  25  is drip-dispensed onto a transparent substrate  21  via a dispenser  60 . Note that the surface of the transparent substrate  21  can be plasma-irradiated, surface modification can be performed on the transparent substrate  21  or a plasma process, etc., can be applied on the transparent substrate  21 , beforehand. By applying either of such processes, in the case where the adhesion ability between the transparent substrate  21  and the resin  25  is poor, this adhesion ability can be improved by applying a such an adhesive layer. 
     Subsequently, as shown in  FIGS. 7(   b ) and  7 ( c ), the resin  25  which is drip-dispensed onto the transparent substrate  21  is pressed by a mold tool  70  while applying pressure thereon. An inverted jagged shape of the Fresnel lens  50  is formed in the mold tool  70 . The releasing operation is carried out by applying a fluorine mold-release agent on the surface of the mold tool  70  beforehand. 
     Thereafter, with the resin  25  sufficiently entering into the gaps in the mold tool  70 , the resin  25  is cured by irradiating ultraviolet rays  80  as shown in  FIG. 7(   c ). Upon irradiating the ultraviolet rays  80 , by providing a mask  75  on side of the transparent substrate  21  from which the ultraviolet rays  80  are irradiated, the ultraviolet rays  80  are only transmitted through the aperture portion of the mask  75 , so that the resin  25  is cured at the shape defined by the aperture portion of the mask  75 . 
     After the resin  25  is sufficiently cured, the mold tool  70  is released from the resin  25 , as shown in  FIG. 7(   d ), and the resin portion at which the ultraviolet rays was not irradiated due to the mask  75  is washed off using a solvent. According to the above process, the Fresnel lens  50  is transferred onto the surface of the transparent substrate  21 , and a patterned imprinted resin layer  30  is formed by removing the outer resin portions. 
     However, the problem of curling and wrinkling occurring in each optical structure constituting a Fresnel lens could not be sufficiently solved by merely forming each pitch of the lens resin layer having prismatic unit lenses so that the volume thereof is constant for every zone of the Fresnel lens. In particular, in the case where an optical structure having a complicated structure is formed, there is the problem of the design thereof becoming even more complicated. 
     An objective of the present invention is to provide a substrate provided with an optical structure, which can solve the above-described problems, and to provide an optical element which uses such a substrate. 
     In addition, another objective of the present invention is to provide a substrate provided with an optical structure which can correctly transfer the jagged shape of the mold and guarantee a lens surface that has a favorably quality, and to provide an optical element which uses such a substrate. 
     A manufacturing method of a substrate provided with an optical structure, includes applying a curing resin onto the substrate, which has a recessed portion, pressing a mold, having a jagged shape, from an upper portion of the curing resin toward the substrate, and forming an optical structure having the jagged shape by curing the curing resin and wherein the recessed portion is provided to cover the lower portion of the region on which the jagged shape is arranged to retain uncured resin of the curing resin when the mold is pressed toward the substrate. 
     In the manufacturing method of the substrate provided with an optical structure, it is desirable for the jagged shape to be configured of a plurality of unit lenses that define a Fresnel lens. 
     In the manufacturing method of the substrate provided with an optical structure, it is desirable for the recessed portion to be arranged at a position corresponding to at least a part of the jagged shape of the optical structure. 
     In the manufacturing method of the substrate provided with an optical structure, it is desirable for the recessed portion to be arranged at a position corresponding to a location at which the thickness of the jagged shape of the optical structure is greatest. 
     In the manufacturing method of the substrate provided with an optical structure, it is desirable for the recessed portion to be arranged over the entire region at which the jagged shape of the optical structure is formed. 
     In the manufacturing method of the substrate provided with an optical structure, it is desirable for the volume of the recessed portion to be larger than the volume of the optical structure multiplied by the volume shrinkage of the curing resin. 
     In the manufacturing method of the substrate provided with an optical structure, it is desirable for the refractive index of the optical structure and the refractive index of the substrate to be the same. 
     In the manufacturing method of the substrate provided with an optical structure, it is desirable for the material of the optical structure and the material of the substrate to be the same. 
     In the manufacturing method of the substrate provided with an optical structure, it is desirable for the curing resin to be a light-curing resin, the substrate to be a transparent substrate, and for the light-curing resin to be cured by irradiating ultraviolet rays from the underside of the transparent substrate that is provided with the recessed portion. 
     In the manufacturing method of the substrate provided with an optical structure, it is desirable for the area of the sectional area of the recessed portion minus the curing shrinkage portion of the curing resin that is filled inside the recessed portion to be predetermined to be larger than the area of the curing shrinkage portion of the resin that is filled inside the jagged shape. 
     An optical element is characterized by a first substrate that is manufactured using the manufacturing method of the above described manufacturing method, and a second substrate; a liquid crystal layer provided in between the optical structure and the second substrate; and a seal material which is provided on the outer side of the optical structure and seals the liquid crystal layer that is provided in between the optical structure and the second substrate. 
     An optical element is characterized by a first substrate that is manufactured using the manufacturing method of the above described manufacturing method, and a second substrate, wherein the recessed portion is formed into a lens shape, and the refractive index of the optical structure and the refractive index of the first and second first transparent substrates are different from each other. 
     A method of manufacturing a substrate, provided with an optical structure having a jagged shape by curing curable resin that has been applied onto the substrate, is characterized by forming a recessed portion in the substrate on the side onto which the resin was applied at a location that corresponds to the jagged shape of the optical structure. 
     A substrate, provided on the upper surface thereof with an optical structure formed by curable resin and having a jagged surface, is characterized by forming a recessed portion in the substrate at a location that corresponds to the jagged shape of the optical structure. An optical element, in which liquid crystal is held between a pair of substrates, is characterized by using the above-described substrate for at least one of the pair of substrates. 
     In the method of manufacturing a substrate provided with an optical structure and in an optical element that used this substrate, since a recessed portion has been formed at a location that corresponds to the jagged shape of the optical structure, distortion of the lens surface that occurs during cure shrinkage of the optical structure that is formed by a curable resin can be reduced down to a negligible level. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be better understood by reading the following detailed description, taken together with the drawings wherein: 
         FIG. 1(   a ) shows a sectional view of a substrate, and  FIG. 1(   b ) is a plan view of the substrate. 
         FIGS. 2(   a ) through  2 ( d ) show sectional views of a manufacturing method of an optical structure. 
         FIGS. 3(   a ) through  3 ( g ) show modified embodiments of a recessed portion. 
         FIG. 4  shows another modified embodiment of the recessed portion. 
         FIG. 5(   a ) is a measurement diagram of a cross section of a Fresnel lens that was manufactured by the method shown in  FIG. 7 , and  FIG. 5(   b ) is a measurement diagram of a cross section of a Fresnel lens that was manufactured by the method shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 6(   a ) is a cross sectional view of a liquid crystal optical element, and  FIG. 6(   b ) is a plan view showing the positional relationship between the Fresnel lens and the shape of the seal material. 
         FIGS. 7(   a ) through  7 ( d ) show sectional views of an example of a manufacturing method of an optical structure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The following is a description of a manufacturing method of a substrate provided with an optical structure, and an liquid crystal optical element, with reference to the drawings. However, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the drawings or the embodiments disclosed herein. 
       FIG. 1(   a ) shows a sectional view of a substrate, and  FIG. 1(   b ) is a plan view of the substrate. For the sake of convenience, an aspect ratio that differs from the actual aspect ratio is schematically shown in  FIG. 1 . A light-curing resin “Lumiplus” (registered trademark) available from MITSUBISHI GAS CHEMICAL COMPANY, INC., was used as a transparent substrate  1 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , an imprinted resin layer  6  with a Fresnel lens  10 , constituting an optical structure, that is patterned on a portion thereof is provided on the transparent substrate  1 . The material used for the imprinted resin layer  6  was the same as that of the transparent substrate  1 . The Fresnel lens  10  has an equal blaze (zone) height (amount of sag) configured of seven unit lenses  11 ,  12 ,  13 ,  14 ,  15 ,  16  and  17  that form a jagged shape. The shapes of the prismatic unit lenses are disclosed in Table 1 hereinbelow. 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
               
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 Cross 
                   
               
               
                 Prismatic 
                 Pitch 
                 Amount 
                 Angle 
                 Sectional 
                 Volume 
               
               
                 Unit Lens 
                 (mm) 
                 of Sag 
                 (Degrees) 
                 Area (mm 2 ) 
                 (mm 3 ) 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 11 
                 3.635785 
                 7 
                 0.110311793 
                 0.0127 
                 0.15 
               
               
                 12 
                 1.533412 
                 7 
                 0.261552453 
                 0.0054 
                 0.15 
               
               
                 13 
                 1.203108 
                 7 
                 0.333358211 
                 0.0042 
                 0.15 
               
               
                 14 
                 1.044243 
                 7 
                 0.384071954 
                 0.0037 
                 0.16 
               
               
                 15 
                 0.955515 
                 7 
                 0.419735202 
                 0.0033 
                 0.17 
               
               
                 16 
                 0.907782 
                 7 
                 0.441804869 
                 0.0032 
                 0.18 
               
               
                 17 
                 0.7201474 
                 7 
                 0.556910746 
                 0.0025 
                 0.15 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     The pitch of the unit lens  11  indicates the distance from the center of the unit lens  11  to the periphery thereof, and the cross sectional area indicates the value of an approximate triangular shape of a sectional surface of the unit lens. Note that although the number and the shapes of the unit lenses indicated above are one example, the present invention is not limited thereto; another number and other shapes of the unit lens can be selected. 
     The base surface of each unit lens is coincident with the upper surface of the transparent substrate  1 . Furthermore, for the sake of convenience, a boundary line for each unit lens is shown in the drawings, however, the imprinted resin layer  6  is integrally formed from the same material. At least one recessed portion  1   a  (which is a depression provided to cover the entire lower portion of the region on which the unit lenses  11  through  17 , which constitute an optical structure, are arranged) that corresponds to the optical structure is formed in the transparent substrate  1 . Part of the material that forms the Fresnel lens  10  fills the recessed portion  1   a . Note that the recessed portion  1   a  can be a depression covering a larger region than that which includes the lower portion of the region on which the unit lenses  11  through  17  are arranged. 
       FIG. 2  shows sectional views of a manufacturing method of an optical structure that uses a substrate for use in an optical element. In  FIG. 2 , components which are the same as those shown in  FIG. 7  are designated with the same reference designators and some of the explanations thereof are omitted. 
     Firstly, as shown in  FIG. 2(   a ), the transparent substrate  1  having the recessed portion  1   a  is prepared. 
     Subsequently, an appropriate quantity of light-curing resin  5 , e.g., “Lumiplus” (registered trademark) available from MITSUBISHI GAS CHEMICAL COMPANY, INC., which is the same material as that of the transparent substrate  1 , is drip-dispensed onto the transparent substrate  1  via a dispenser  60 . The resin  5  gradually spreads out from the center of the transparent substrate  1  toward the periphery thereof. Note that the recessed portion  1   a  of the transparent substrate  1  has been formed by being cast in a mold, however, the recessed portion  1   a  can be formed by injection molding or by a milling operation with a diamond turning tool. Furthermore, in the case where the transparent substrate  1  is formed of glass, the recessed portion  1   a  can be formed by chemical etching. 
     Subsequently, as shown in  FIG. 2(   b ), a mold tool  70 , formed with an inverted jagged shape of the Fresnel lens  10 , is lowered toward the resin  5 . As shown in  FIG. 2(   c ), the mold tool  70  is pressed onto the resin while applying pressure thereon. During this stage, the resin  5  spreads toward the periphery thereof, however, an optimal amount of resin  5  that is drip-dispensed is predetermined so as not to flow out when put under pressure. 
     Note that although in  FIG. 2  the widths of the mold tool  70  and the transparent substrate  1  are the same, in practice, the mold tool  70  is larger in order to facilitate mold releasing and to prevent resin from spreading around the mold tool  70 . Note that if the diameter of the Fresnel lens  10  is small and the size of the transparent substrate  1  is large, the size of the mold tool  70  may be reduced. 
     Thereafter, with the resin  5  sufficiently entering into the gaps in the mold tool  70 , the resin  5  is cured by irradiating ultraviolet rays  80  from below the transparent substrate  1 . Upon irradiating the ultraviolet rays  80 , since a mask  75  is provided on the side of the transparent substrate  1  from which the ultraviolet rays  80  are irradiated, the ultraviolet rays  80  are only transmitted through the aperture portion of the mask  75 , so that the resin  5  is cured at the shape defined by the aperture portion of the mask  75 . 
     The curing reaction of the resin  5  starts from the transparent substrate  1  at which the ultraviolet rays  80  is irradiated, and gradually progresses toward the resin  5  which is in contact with the mold tool  70 . During this process, cure shrinkage occurs in the resin  5  in accordance with the progression of the curing reaction. The cured resin draws the uncured and half-cured resin, which surrounds the cured resin, due to the shrinkage of the cured resin at the recessed portion  1   a  of the transparent substrate  1 . Furthermore, pressure is applied on the resin  5  even during cure shrinkage, so that the mold tool  70  is pushed so as to fill the gaps that occurred due to the cure shrinkage. By applying such a pressure, the uncured and half-cured resin  5  that exists in the recessed portion  1   a  act as a filler or a buffer, so that the resin  5  moves throughout every gap of the transferred shape of the mold tool  70 . Accordingly, a beautifully-formed optical structure can be transferred which is formed by the transfer shape of the mold tool  70 . 
     After the entire resin  5  is sufficiently cured, the mold tool  70  is released from the resin  5  as shown in  FIG. 2(   d ), and uncured resin  5  that was not irradiated by the ultraviolet rays  80  due to the mask  75  is washed off with a solvent. According to the above process, the Fresnel lens  10  is transferred onto the transparent substrate  1  and the outer resin is removed so as to produce the patterned imprinted resin layer  6 . 
     The recessed portion  1   a  can be provided over the entire region of the unit lenses  11  through  17  of the optical structure, however, it is desirable for the recessed portion  1   a  to be formed on the transparent substrate  1  at least at a location corresponding to where the sectional area is maximum, i.e., at a location at which the thickness of the optical structure is greatest. The volume of the recessed portion  1   a  is characterized as being at least larger than the volume of all of the unit lenses multiplied by the volume shrinkage of the resin  5 . Specifically, the area of the sectional area of the recessed portion  1   a  minus the curing shrinkage portion of the resin that is filled inside the recessed portion  1   a  is predetermined to be larger than the area of the curing shrinkage portion of the resin that is filled inside all of the unit lenses. 
     The shape of the recessed portion  1   a  is spherical, the diameter of the recessed portion  1   a  is 15 mm (the diameter of the Fresnel lens  10  is 20 mm), the depth of the recessed portion  1   a  is 0.02 mm, and the sectional area of the recessed portion  1   a  is 15 mm 2 . Note that the shape of the recessed portion  1   a  can be spherical, cylindrical, conical, cubic, rectangular, etc., or any other finely jagged shape. Furthermore, the above described values of the recessed portion  1   a  are merely one example and the recessed portion  1   a  is not limited thereto. 
       FIGS. 3(   a ) through  3 ( g ) show modified embodiments of the recessed portion. 
     A recessed portion  1   b  shown in  FIG. 3(   a ) is formed over the entire region of the Fresnel lens  10  and is wok-shaped. A recessed portion  1   c  shown in  FIG. 3(   b ) is formed only over a partial region of the Fresnel lens  10  and is cylindrically shaped (i.e., the recessed portion  1   c  has a constant depth). The recessed portion  1   c  disclosed in  FIG. 3(   b ) is set so as to correspond to the largest portion of the unit lenses that configure the Fresnel lens  10 , i.e., at the location where the largest amount of cure shrinkage occurs. Furthermore, since a sufficient depth of the recessed portion  1   c  is provided, it is possible for an amount of resin that is sufficient for filling the curing shrinkage portion of the curing resin filled into the Fresnel lens  10  to accumulate in the recessed portion  1   c.    
     A recessed portion  1   d  shown in  FIG. 3(   c ) is formed over the entire region at which the Fresnel lens  10  is formed and has a cylindrical shape (i.e., the recessed portion  1   d  has a constant depth). Recessed portions  1   e , if and  1   g  shown in  FIGS. 3(   d ),  3 ( e ) and  3 ( f ) are each formed over the entire region of the Fresnel lens  10  and each has a shape that gradually increases in depth toward the center of the transparent substrate  1 . A recessed portion  1   h  shown in  FIG. 3(   g ) is formed over the entire region of the Fresnel lens  10  and is formed in a finely jagged shape (i.e., a plurality of concentric grooves are formed). 
       FIG. 4  shows another modified embodiment of the recessed portion. 
     In a Fresnel lens  20  shown in  FIG. 4 , the pitch of each blaze angle is equal, and the unit-lens volume is maximum at the peripheral portion; accordingly, a recessed portion  2   a  of a transparent substrate  2  is formed at a position corresponding to this peripheral portion. The recessed portion  2   a  has the form of an inside shape of one half of a doughnut cut into upper and lower halves. 
       FIG. 5(   a ) is a measurement diagram of a cross section of a Fresnel lens that was manufactured by the method shown in  FIG. 7 , and  FIG. 5(   b ) is a measurement diagram of a cross section of a Fresnel lens that was manufactured by the method shown in  FIG. 2 . Note that the same shaped mold was used in  FIGS. 5(   a ) and  5 ( b ) and the shape of the mold tool is indicated by a dotted line p. 
       FIG. 5(   a ) indicates the sectional shape m of a portion of the unit lenses that are included in the Fresnel lens in the reference example of an actual manufacturing method shown in  FIG. 7 . In the reference example of  FIG. 5(   a ), NIF-A-1 (cure shrinkage of 9±2%) was used as a resin for forming the Fresnel lens. 
     Furthermore,  FIG. 5(   b ) indicates the sectional shape n of a portion of the unit lenses that are included in the Fresnel lens in the embodiment of an actual manufacturing method shown in  FIG. 2 . In the embodiment of  FIG. 5(   a ), likewise with that of  FIG. 5(   b ), NIF-A-1 (cure shrinkage of 9±2%) was also used as a resin for forming the Fresnel lens. 
     In the case shown in  FIG. 5(   a ), a large amount of error has occurred between the sectional shape m of the Fresnel lens and the shape of the mold tool that is indicated by a dotted line p. Whereas in the case shown in  FIG. 5(   b ), the sectional shape n of the Fresnel lens and the mold tool that is indicated by a dotted line p are substantially the same, confirming that a favorable surface quality of the Fresnel lens can be achieved. 
     Since the recessed portion  1   a  is preformed in the transparent substrate  1  that is used in the manufacturing method shown in  FIG. 2 , in the case where the resin  5  has been drip-dispensed and pressed by the mold tool  70 , the spreading of the resin  5  toward the periphery is restricted, so that some of the resin  5  remains in the center of the Fresnel lens  10 . Accordingly, as shown in  FIG. 5(   b ), transfer defects of the shape due to curing shrinkage of the resin  5  do not occur, so that the shape transfer of the mold tool  70  can be carried out with precision. 
     Even if high pressure is applied to the mold tool in order to reduce the thickness of the remaining resin layer from the substrate surface, the resin in the region of the recessed portion  1   a  does not flow out externally due to the effect of the recessed portion  1   a , and hence, transfer defects caused by curing shrinkage do not occur, so that a favorable transfer can be performed. Note that it is possible to avoid the occurrence of a lens effect of the region of the recessed portion by making the refractive indexes of the substrate and the imprinted resin layer  6  the same. Whereas, a lens effect can be provided by making the refractive indexes of the transparent substrate  1  and the imprinted resin layer  6  differ. By making the diameter of the recessed portion smaller than the effective diameter of the Fresnel lens (e.g., see  FIG. 2(   d ) and  FIG. 3(   b )), the flat portions of the mold tool and the substrate constitute a basis by which the Fresnel lens is imprinted in a more parallel manner with respect to the substrate. 
     Note that in the above descriptions have been given of an embodiment that uses the mold tool  70 , however, it is possible to also use a silicon mold or a resin mold. 
       FIG. 6(   a ) is a cross sectional view of a liquid crystal optical element, and  FIG. 6(   b ) is a plan view showing the positional relationship between the Fresnel lens and the shape of the seal material. For the sake of convenience, an aspect ratio that differs from the actual aspect ratio is schematically shown in  FIG. 6 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 6(   a ), a liquid crystal optical element  40  is configured so that a first transparent substrate  41  and a second transparent substrate  42  bonded each other via a seal material  48  so that transparent electrodes  43  and  44  formed on the substrate surfaces, respectively, oppose each other. 
     A transparent electrode  43  and an oriented film  45  are formed on the first transparent substrate  41 . An optical element substrate formed by the manufacturing method shown in  FIG. 2  was used as the second transparent substrate  42 . Accordingly, a recessed portion  42   a , which is the same as the recessed portion  1   a  shown in  FIG. 2 , is formed in the second transparent substrate  42 . An imprinted resin layer  31 , to which an optical structure (Fresnel lens  30 ) is integrally formed via an imprinting (transfer) process, is provided in the liquid crystal optical element  40 . A transparent electrode  44  and an oriented film  46  are formed on the second transparent substrate  42 . 
     A spacer  49  is incorporated in the seal material  48 , and a cell gap between the first transparent substrate  41  and the second transparent substrate  42  is restricted by the spacer  49 . The seal material  48  is formed in an annular shape that encircles the Fresnel lens  30  that is concentric therewith, and a liquid crystal  47  is filled inside the seal material  48 . The imprinted resin layer  31  and the seal material  48  are in contact with each other, and the area of the liquid crystal  47  is provided above the imprinted resin layer  31 . 
     The manufacturing method of the liquid crystal optical element  40  will be described hereinbelow. 
     Firstly, the imprinted resin layer  31  is formed on the second transparent substrate  42  by the manufacturing method shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     Subsequently, the transparent electrode  44  is formed on the surface of the imprinted resin layer  31  using a sputtering method. It is preferable for an SiO 2  barrier layer, etc., to be provided on the imprinted resin layer  31 , especially in the case where the second transparent substrate  42  is a plastic substrate. Furthermore, in order to prevent short-circuiting from occurring between the transparent electrode  43  and the transparent electrode  44 , an SiO 2  insulation film layer, etc., is provided on at least one of the transparent electrodes  43  and  44 . 
     Subsequently, the oriented film  46  is formed on the transparent electrode  44  that is provided on the surface of the imprinted resin layer  31 . The oriented film  46  is formed using, e.g., a spray coater. A masking process is carried out on the substrate  42  using a mask in which an effective zone is formed as an aperture portion, and the oriented film material is discharged on top of the masking. Thereafter, the solvent of the oriented film is extracted via sintering, and is imidized depending on the type of oriented film, resulting in the completion of the oriented film  46 . 
     Subsequently, the orientation direction of the liquid crystal can be controlled by carrying out an alignment treatment on the formed oriented film  46  using a rubbing method. Note that care is necessary in order not to incur damage on the Fresnel lens when pressing a rubbing cloth thereon. However, a favorable alignment treatment via the rubbing method can be carried out by optimizing each condition for the rubbing cloth, the roller rotational speed, and the rubbing pressure, etc., by selecting the imprinted resin material, and by carrying out a hard-coat treatment on the surface of the oriented film  46 . 
     The transparent electrode  43  and the oriented film  45  are formed on the first transparent substrate  41  in a similar manner. 
     An oblique deposition method, for example, can be used as a forming method for the oriented film. An inorganic material such as, e.g., SiO x , etc., can be used as a deposition material. The column structure of the deposited film can be changed via the deposition angle, and hence via which the orientation direction of the liquid crystal can be controlled. In the oblique deposition method, the oriented film  45  can be formed in a non-contacting manner without incurring damage on the shape of the Fresnel lens  30 . 
     Furthermore, after the oriented film is applied on the surface of the imprinted resin layer  31  via inkjet, spin coating, or spray coating, the oriented film can be formed using a photo-alignment method. Even if such a method is used, an oriented film  45  can be formed in a non-contacting manner without incurring damage on the shape of the Fresnel lens  30 . 
     Subsequently, (after forming the transparent electrode  44  and the oriented film  46  on the surface of the imprinted resin layer  31 ) the seal material  48  is applied by a dispenser at a position where the imprinted resin layer  31  is not present. An ultraviolet curing resin can be used as the seal material  48 . The seal material  48 , with consideration of the seal material  48  being squashed and spreading, is not applied to the limit at the edge of the imprinted resin layer  31  but slightly inwards therefrom. In the bonding process of the first transparent substrate  41  and the second transparent substrate  42 , described hereinbelow, the seal material  48  is squashed and bonds with the edge of the imprinted resin layer  31 . 
     Subsequently, the liquid crystal  47  is drip-dispensed onto the area formed by the Fresnel lens  30  on the inner side of the seal material  48  using a dispenser. In order to prevent damage to the Fresnel lens  30 , it is ideal to use a jet-dispenser which enables drip-dispensing in a non-contact manner. The amount of drip-dispensed liquid crystal  47  is determined according to the volume of the inside of the seal material  48 . 
     The liquid crystal  47 , which has been drip-dispersed at one location on the imprinted resin layer  31 , is filled up higher than the seal material  48  in accordance with surface tension and wettability characteristics. In this state of the liquid crystal  47  being filled up higher than the seal material  48 , when the first transparent substrate  41  and the second transparent substrate  42  are superimposed onto each other, there is a danger of the liquid crystal  47  spreading outside the seal material  48 . Consequently, it is desirable to drip-dispense the liquid crystal  47  onto the imprinted resin layer  31  at a plurality of locations in order to reduce the height of the drip-dispensed liquid crystal  47 . 
     Subsequently, (after the liquid crystal  47  has been drip-dispensed onto the imprinted resin layer  31 ) the liquid crystal drip-dispensed surface of the second transparent substrate  42  is faced upwards, and the first transparent substrate  41  and the second transparent substrate  42  are bonded to each other in a vacuum state. Thereafter, UV (ultraviolet) rays are irradiated on the seal material  48  from the imprinted resin layer  31  side so as to cure the seal material  48 . After the ultraviolet rays are irradiated, the seal material  48  is completely cured by sintering as necessary. Hence the liquid crystal optical element  40  is manufactured according to the above-described process. 
     As described above, in the liquid crystal optical element  40 , the second transparent substrate  42  is provided with the recessed portion  42   a , and the shape of the Fresnel lens which is formed by the transfer shape of the mold tool can be formed with good precision. The liquid crystal optical element  40  can be used as a spectacle lens by machining each transparent substrate into a lens shape. For example, if a liquid cell structure is configured by a concave-shaped first transparent substrate  41  and a convex-shaped second transparent substrate  42 , in addition to the lens characteristics, since the focal length can be varied by turning ON and OFF a voltage that is applied to the liquid crystal  47 , a vari-focal electronic spectacle lens for use mainly in reading glasses can be obtained. 
     Note that in the above explanations, only a single Fresnel lens shape and a single liquid crystal optical element are shown in the drawings, however, the present invention is not limited thereto; a plurality of Fresnel lens shapes or liquid crystal optical elements can be concurrently manufactured. Note that in the above-described manufacturing method, even if a plurality of Fresnel lens shapes or liquid crystal optical elements are manufactured in consideration of productivity, the same effect can be effectively exhibited as that of a single product. 
     In  FIG. 6 , the transparent substrate  1  (see  FIG. 1(   a )) provided with the imprinted resin layer  6 , in which the recessed portion  1   a  is formed and in which the Fresnel lens  10  is patterned on a part thereof, was used to manufacture the liquid crystal optical element  40 . In this case, the resin is configured so that the refractive index of the transparent substrate  1  and the refractive index of the imprinted resin layer  6  are the same. 
     However, in the transparent substrate  1  shown in  FIG. 1(   a ), it is possible to form a lens shape (concave lens shape) in the recessed portion  1   a  and configure the resin so that the refractive index of the transparent substrate  1  and the refractive index of the imprinted resin layer  6  are different. According to such a configuration, the transparent substrate  1  (see  FIG. 1(   a )) provided with the imprinted resin layer  6 , in which the recessed portion  1   a  is formed and in which the Fresnel lens  10  is patterned on a part thereof, can itself be used as a lens (optical element) having an inherent lens and a Fresnel lens without using the liquid crystal layer  47  (see  FIG. 6(   a )).