A diffractive optical element includes a plurality of diffraction
gratings. A diffraction grating within the plurality of diffraction
gratings includes a plurality of grating parts having a curved grating
surface and grating tips which connect to define a curved envelope face.
The grating surface has a radius of curvature larger than a radius of
curvature of the envelope face. In addition, two diffraction gratings
within the plurality of diffraction gratings are composed of different
materials having different dispersions. Therefore, even when the radius
of curvature of the envelope face is small, the degradation of the
diffraction efficiency is suppressed.