US Patent 7535626 Shape-variable optical element, optical device and image pickup apparatus

A shape-variable optical element, which includes: a shape-variable section made up of an organic material that can be expanded and contracted by an electric field, in a direction of the electric field; and a pair of electrode layers to sandwich the shape-variable section, wherein amounts of expansion and contraction of the shape-variable section, which are generated by the electric field when a voltage is applied to the pair of electrode layers, have a distribution pattern in a surface perpendicular to the electric field.