The invention provides an optical element that has a low refractive-index chromatic
dispersion, a high degree of freedom in molding or forming as is the case with
synthetic resins, and moldability or formability that lends itself to mass production.
The optical element is obtained by molding or otherwise forming a composition containing
a first material that is a fine particle having an Abbe number vd of 80 or greater
indicative of a chromatic dispersion in a visible range and having a size of less
than 400 nm, and a second material that is an organic/inorganic hybrid material
comprising an organic polymer material having a carbon-carbon bond in a main chain
and an inorganic component.
