Vibration wave actuator

A vibration actuator comprising:

• a vibration member;
• and
• a plurality of electro-mechanical energy conversion elements for generating a vibration in said vibration member, said plurality of electromechanical energy conversion elements including a plurality of first energy conversion elements each having at least four divided electrodes provided on one side of each respective first energy conversion element and arranged in respective regions of said plurality of first energy conversion elements, each of said plurality of first electromechanical energy conversion elements being polarized in at least two groups having different directions of polarization, said plurality of first energy conversion elements being stacked, so that each side of each of said first energy conversion elements contacts at least four divided electrodes, and wherein respective divided electrodes which are in phase with each other are connected in the respective regions of said energy conversion elements to attain electrical connections therebetween, whereby a first signal supplied to divided electrodes of a first group of said plurality of first energy conversion elements also is supplied to respective divided electrodes of said plurality of first energy conversion elements which are in phase with each other, and a second signal supplied to divided electrodes of a second group of said plurality of first energy conversion elements also is supplied to respective divided electrodes of said plurality of first energy conversion elements which are in phase with each other.