An optical element includes a transparent substrate; an alignment layer formed over the transparent substrate; and a liquid crystal layer formed over the alignment layer. A plurality of grooves parallel to each other for aligning liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer are formed over a surface of the alignment layer in contact with the liquid crystal layer. A pitch of the grooves is greater than or equal to 10 nm and less than or equal to 600 nm. The alignment layer is formed of a copolymer of an energy curable composition and contains fluorine on the surface.