Optical deflection device and optical deflection method that control occurrence of alignment defect

Abstract

An optical deflection device includes an optical deflection element having a pair of transparent boards arranged in a mutually opposing manner. A liquid crystal layer is filled between the boards and forms a chiral smectic C phase. An orientation film orients liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer in a substantially perpendicular direction with respect to the liquid crystal layer. Electrodes generate an electric field in a substantially parallel direction with respect to the liquid crystal layer. A first voltage application part applies, to the electrodes, an ac voltage of a deflection frequency switching the optical deflection direction of the optical deflection element. A second voltage application part applies, to the electrodes, an ac voltage of a higher frequency than the deflection frequency. A stop process part causes the second voltage application part to apply the ac voltage of the higher frequency than the deflection frequency after causing the first voltage application part to apply the ac voltage of the deflection frequency, when stopping an operation of switching the optical deflection direction of the optical deflection element.