Optical element processing tool and optical element manufacturing method

An optical element processing tool for grinding or polishing an optical element, the optical element processing tool comprising:

• a base plate including a fixing region having a predetermined curvature;
• and
• a plurality of grindstones each having a same initial height, a first end surface of each of the grindstones having an initial shape corresponding to a first spherical shape conforming to a processing target spherical shape of the optical element, and a second end surface of each of the grindstones being fixed to the fixing region of the base plate,
• wherein:
• the first spherical shape has a first spherical center located on a center axis of the base plate;
• the plurality of grindstones include a first grindstone, the first surface of the first grindstone being located entirely within a projection region on which a circle having the center axis as a center and having a diameter corresponding to a processing tool diameter is projected in parallel to the center axis;
• the plurality of grindstones further include a second grindstone that has a cutaway portion including a cut surface at a boundary of the projection region, such that the first surface of the second grindstone does not extend outside of the projection region;
• the cut surface of the second grindstone is parallel to the center axis of the base plate;
• and
• the first grindstone does not have the cutaway portion.