An optical element including: a container which is light-transmissive at
least in a light passage region; a light-transmissive dispersion medium
enclosed in the container; a light-transmissive dispersion dispersed in
the dispersion medium and having a refractive index different from the
refractive index of the dispersion medium; and an electromagnetic field
generator which controls the refraction of light passing through the
light passage region by moving the dispersion dispersed in the dispersion
medium by an electromagnetic force.