Patent ID: 8488249

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