The invention relates to an optical element (1) comprising several
layers (S1, S2, S3, ...) with absorbing transition
dipole moments, wherein in each of the
layers (S1, S2, S3, ...) the majority of all transition
dipole moments are permanently or at least in a first state aligned with a tolerance of a maximum of 20° parallel to a direction (R1, R2, R3, ...) selectable for the respective layer (S1, S2, S3, ...), wherein each of these directions (R1, R2, R3, ...) lies in the main propagation plane of the respective layer (S1, S2, S3, ...) and is aligned at a respective predetermined angle (α1, α2, α3, ...) to a line that lies in the main propagation plane of the respective layer (S1, S2, S3, ...).) lies and forms at least a right angle with a surface of the optical element (1), such that light incident on the optical element (1) is transmitted or at least partially absorbed depending on its direction of incidence relative to the optical element (1) and its polarization state, wherein at least one of the following features is fulfilled: between each pair of adjacent
layers (Sn, Sn+1) there is a layer that is at least 40% transparent to light of any polarization and / or a birefringent layer, and / or the set of specified angles (α1, α2, α3, ...) can be divided into at least two groups, wherein the angles of one group differ from the angles of the other group by at least 2°. Furthermore, a lighting device and a screen with such a switchable
light filter (5) are disclosed.