OPTICAL ELEMENT HAVING POLARIZATION DEPENDENCE ON INCIDENT LIGHT, FOR VARYING FOCUSED LIGHT PATTERN

摘要

The present invention relates to an optical element having polarization dependence on incident light, for varying a focused light pattern. The optical element for varying a focused light pattern comprises: a first lens structure consisting of an array of first lenticular lenses which are formed of liquid crystal (phase) polymers having a first extraordinary refractive index axis direction and have a major axis thereof aligned in a first alignment direction; and a second lens structure which is stacked on the beam emitting surface of the first lens structure and consists of an array of second lenticular lenses which are formed of liquid crystal (phase) polymers having a second extraordinary refractive index axis direction and have a major axis thereof aligned in a second alignment direction. The optical element for varying a focused light pattern according to the present invention is configured such that the beam pattern of light output from the second lens structure is determined according to the polarization direction of incident light falling upon the first lens structure, the first and second extraordinary refractive index axis directions of the first and second lens structures, and the first and second alignment directions of the major axes of the first and second lens structures.