Optical element and method for manufacturing the same

A method for manufacturing an optical element, the optical element including:

• a first optical portion having a first surface and a second surface on an opposite side to the first surface, the first optical portion being light transmissive;
• a second optical portion having a third surface opposing the first surface and separated from the first surface, and a fourth surface on an opposite side to the third surface, the second optical portion being light transmissive;
• and
• a first connection region connecting at least a portion of an end of the first optical portion and at least a portion of an end of the second optical portion, and providing a seamless connection to the first optical portion and the second optical portion, the first connection region being light transmissive,
• at least one of the first surface or the second surface including a portion slant to a plane perpendicular to a first direction from the second optical portion toward the first optical portion,
• the first optical portion, the second optical portion, and the first connection region being in an integral configuration without an interface, and
• a space between the first surface and the third surface being continuous with an external region of the optical element,
• the method comprising:
• applying an energy beam locally to a material serving as the first optical portion, the second optical portion and the first connection region, and
• forming the first optical portion, the second optical portion, and the first connection region, wherein
• forming the first optical portion, the second optical portion, and the first connection region includes causing at least one of the third surface or the fourth surface portion to slant with respect to the plane, and
• a material of the first connection region is the same as a material of the first optical portion and the same as a material of the second optical portion.