JP2002039915A - Detector and optical pickup device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To accurately detect the spherical aberration generated in a condensing optical system, without being affected by ambient electricalal noise. SOLUTION: A detector is equipped with a separation means for separating the laser beam which passes through the condensing optical system into the first laser beam on the side nearer to the optical axis of the laser beam and second laser beam on the outside of the first laser beam, a light-receiving means for independently receiving the first and second laser beams, separated by the separation means and a detection means for detecting the focus error and spherical aberration of the condensing optical system, on the basis of the output of the light-receiving means.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a detection device and an optical pickup device for detecting a focus error and a spherical aberration of a light collecting optical system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In general, in order to increase the recording density in an optical disk apparatus, the wavelength of light used for recording and reproduction of an optical disk as a recording medium is shortened as much as possible, or an aperture of an objective lens for converging light on the optical disk. It is necessary to increase the number (NA).

[0003] In order to shorten the wavelength of light, it is necessary to develop a semiconductor laser that generates laser light having a shorter wavelength. However, since it is not easy to develop such a semiconductor laser, the above-mentioned method of increasing the numerical aperture of the objective lens is usually employed to increase the recording density.

On the other hand, in order to increase the numerical aperture of the objective lens, a method of increasing the diameter of the lens is conceivable, but in this case, there arises a problem that the apparatus itself becomes large. So, using a solid immersion lens,
Methods for effectively improving the numerical aperture of the objective lens without increasing the diameter of the objective lens have been studied.

[0005] For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 8-212579 discloses an optical pickup device using a solid immersion lens. In this optical pickup device, as shown in FIG. 6, the light condensed by the objective lens 112 is transmitted through a plate 113 and a solid immersion lens 114 to the substrate 111b of the magneto-optical disk 111.
Is transmitted through the optical recording medium 111 to be focused on the information recording layer 111a, and the solid immersion lens 1
Recording of information is performed by the magnetic head 115 disposed on the opposite side to 14.

The objective lens 112 is held by a holder 118 at the peripheral edge, and a focusing actuator 119 for performing focus control of the objective lens 112 and a tracking actuator 120 for performing tracking control are provided on both sides of the holder 118. Are provided.

On the other hand, the solid immersion lens 114 is held by the holder 116 at the peripheral edge, and the solid immersion lens 114 and the plate 113 or the objective lens 11 are provided on both sides of the holder 116.
2 is provided with a solid immersion lens actuator 117 for adjusting the distance from the lens.

Here, the solid immersion lens 114 is made of glass having a refractive index substantially the same as that of the substrate 111b of the magneto-optical disk 111, and the hemispherical surface is a spherical surface centered on the condensing point. , Objective lens 1
The numerical aperture of the light condensed at 12 is multiplied by the refractive index in the substrate 111b. Specifically, the objective lens 112
Numerical aperture of 0.55, solid immersion lens 1
If the refractive index of 14 is 1.5, the effective numerical aperture is 0.8
It becomes 3.

As described above, in the condensing optical system using the solid immersion lens 114, the effective numerical aperture becomes large,
A large spherical aberration occurs due to a thickness error of 1b or a change in the thickness of the substrate 111b in a multilayer structure.

Therefore, when a spherical aberration occurs in the condensing optical system composed of the solid immersion lens 114 and the objective lens 112 as described above, the solid immersion lens actuator 117 is used to drive the solid immersion lens. 114 and plate 1
The spherical aberration is corrected by adjusting the distance between the lens 13 and the objective lens 112.

Specifically, holder 116 and holder 118
Are provided, and the capacitance between the electrodes is measured, so that the capacitance at this time becomes a predetermined value.
By moving the holder 116 with respect to the holder 118 by the solid immersion lens actuator 117 so as to keep the distance between the holder 116 and the holder 118 constant, the spherical aberration of the condensing optical system is corrected in a pseudo manner. .

[0012]

By the way, in the above-described optical pickup device, the distance between the holder 116 and the holder 118 is kept constant so that the electric capacity between the holder 116 and the holder 118 becomes a predetermined value. Thus, the spherical aberration of the condensing optical system is corrected.

Therefore, in the optical pickup device, the spherical aberration of the condensing optical system is detected by measuring the electric capacitance.

However, the holder 116 and the holder 11
8 is a very small value of less than 10 pF, there is a possibility that an error may occur due to stray capacitance of wiring and the like in the optical pickup device. Cannot be accurately detected.

As described above, if the spherical aberration occurring in the condensing optical system cannot be accurately detected, the generated spherical aberration cannot be properly corrected. As a result, information is recorded on the information recording layer 111a of the magneto-optical disk 111. In addition, there is a problem that reproduction cannot be performed properly.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has as its object to accurately detect a spherical aberration occurring in a condensing optical system without being affected by surrounding electric noise. Provided is a detection device, and an optical pickup capable of appropriately correcting spherical aberration occurring in a condensing optical system and being capable of appropriately recording and reproducing information on a magneto-optical disk by including the detection device. It is to provide a device.

[0017]

According to the present invention, there is provided a detecting apparatus for converting a light beam having passed through a condensing optical system into a first light beam close to an optical axis of the light beam and the first light beam. Separating means for separating the light beam into a second light beam outside the light beam, light receiving means for independently receiving the first and second light beams separated by the separating means, and Detecting means for detecting a focus error and a spherical aberration of the condensing optical system.

Further, the light receiving means has a first light receiving part for receiving the first light beam and a second light receiving part for receiving the second light beam, and the detecting means comprises 1
Alternatively, a focus error of the first or second light beam is detected based on an output of the second light receiving unit.

Further, the separation means is a hologram.

An optical pickup device according to the present invention comprises: a light source;
A condensing optical system that condenses the light emitted from the light source on a recording medium, and a light beam that reflects off the recording medium and passes through the condensing optical system, a light beam closer to the optical axis of the light beam. 1
Separating means for separating the light beam into a second light beam outside of the first light beam and the first and second light beams separated by the separating means. A light receiving unit, a detecting unit that detects a focus error and a spherical aberration of the condensing optical system based on an output of the light receiving unit, and a focus of the condensing optical system based on the focus error detected by the detecting unit. It is characterized by comprising: a focus error correction unit for correcting an error; and an aberration correction unit for correcting the spherical aberration of the focusing optical system based on the spherical aberration detected by the detection unit.

Further, the light receiving means has a first light receiving part for receiving the first light beam and a second light receiving part for receiving the second light beam, and the detecting means comprises 1
Alternatively, a focus error of the first or second light beam is detected based on an output of the second light receiving unit.

Further, the separation means is a hologram.

Further, the condensing optical system has a structure in which at least two lens elements are arranged at a predetermined interval, and the aberration correcting means is configured to perform a correction based on the spherical aberration detected by the detecting means. The spherical aberration of the condensing optical system is corrected by adjusting an interval between the lens elements.

[0024]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. In the present embodiment, an optical disc recording / reproducing apparatus having an optical pickup device including an aberration detecting device for detecting a spherical aberration of a condensing optical system will be described.

As shown in FIG. 2, the optical disk recording / reproducing apparatus according to the present embodiment reproduces information recorded on the magneto-optical disk 6 by rotating a spindle motor 9 for driving a magneto-optical disk 6 as a recording medium. Pickup device 11, a drive control unit 12 for controlling the drive of the spindle motor 9 and the optical pickup device 11, and a magnetic head (not shown) for recording information on the magneto-optical disk 6.

The optical pickup device 11 includes a semiconductor laser (light source) 1, a hologram 2, a collimator lens 3,
A condensing optical system 10 comprising an objective lens (lens element) 4 and a solid immersion lens (lens element) 5;
And a light detection device (detection means) 7.

A mirror 8 is provided between the condensing optical system 10 and the collimating lens 3 for refracting the optical path of the light beam from the condensing optical system 10 or the light beam from the collimating lens 3 by about 90 °. Have been.

Further, the objective lens 4 is held by a holder 13 at the periphery thereof.
A focus actuator 14 is provided on the outer peripheral portion. The focus lens 14 moves the objective lens 4 in the optical axis direction.
Thus, by controlling the driving of the focus actuator 14, the objective lens 4 is moved to an appropriate position to perform the focusing control.

Further, the solid immersion lens 5 is held by a holder 15 at the periphery thereof, and a solid immersion lens actuator 16 is provided on the outer periphery of the holder 15. The solid immersion lens actuator 16 moves the solid immersion lens 5 in the optical axis direction. Thus, by controlling the driving of the solid immersion lens actuator 16, the distance between the solid immersion lens 5 and the objective lens 4 is adjusted, and the spherical aberration generated in the condensing optical system 10 is corrected.

The drive control section 12 includes a spindle motor drive circuit 17 for controlling the drive of the spindle motor 9, a focus drive circuit 18 for controlling the drive of the focus actuator 14, and a solid-state drive for controlling the drive of the solid immersion lens actuator 16. Immersion lens drive circuit 19, spindle motor drive circuit 17, focus drive circuit 18, control signal generation circuit 20 for generating control signals to solid immersion lens drive circuit 19, and signals obtained from photodetector 7. And an information reproducing circuit 21 for reproducing information from the device and generating a reproduced signal.

Here, the optical pickup device 11 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. For convenience of explanation, the optical pickup device 11 shown in FIG.
The mirror 8 is omitted from the illustration.

In the optical pickup device 11, the hologram 2, collimating lens 3, objective lens 4 and solid immersion lens 5 are provided between the emission surface of the semiconductor laser 1 and the reflection surface of the magneto-optical disk 6. The photodetector 7 is arranged on the axis OA, and is arranged near the focal position of the diffracted light of the hologram 2.

Therefore, the optical pickup device 11
In FIG. 1, a light (hereinafter, referred to as a light beam) emitted from a semiconductor laser 1 is transmitted as a 0th-order diffracted light by a hologram 2 and is converted into a parallel light by a collimating lens 3, and then the objective lens 4 and the solid immersion lens The light is condensed at a predetermined position on the magneto-optical disk 6 via the optical disk 5. On the other hand, the light beam reflected from the magneto-optical disk 6 is a solid immersion lens 5, an objective lens 4,
The light passes through the collimator lens 3 and is incident on the hologram 2, is diffracted by the hologram 2, and is condensed on the light detection device 7.

The hologram 2 has a first area 2a surrounded by a straight line CL orthogonal to the optical axis OA and a first semicircle E1 centered on the optical axis OA. The radius is larger than the straight line CL and the first semicircle E1,
A second region 2b surrounded by a second semicircle E2 on the side of the semicircle E1 and the straight line CL, and a side opposite to the first semicircle E1 and the second semicircle E2 with respect to the straight line CL. Of the third semicircle E3
And a third region 2c surrounded by a straight line CL.

The hologram 2 transmits the light emitted from the semiconductor laser 1 to the magneto-optical disk 6 without diffracting the light, diffracts the reflected light from the magneto-optical disk 6 and guides it to the photodetector 7. It has become.

Each area of the hologram 2 is formed such that condensed spots corresponding to each area are separately formed by light passing through each area from the magneto-optical disk 6 side. As a result, light passing through the three regions of the hologram 2 from the magneto-optical disk 6 forms three focused spots.

The light detecting device 7 includes five light detectors 7
a to 7e. Photodetector (first photodetector)
7a, a photodetector (second photodetector) 7b is juxtaposed to form a first light receiving section, and a photodetector (third photodetector) 7c and a photodetector (fourth photodetector) 7d are juxtaposed. Thus, the second light receiving section is formed, and the photodetector 7e independently forms the third light receiving section.

Therefore, the light beams diffracted in the respective regions of the hologram 2 are respectively guided to the respective light receiving portions of the light detecting device 7.

That is, the light beam from the first area 2a, which is the first light beam on the side closer to the optical axis OA of the light beam reflected by the magneto-optical disk 6, is used to detect light constituting the first light receiving portion. A condensed spot P1 is formed on the boundary between the detector 7a and the photodetector 7b, and the second light reception is performed by the light beam from the second region 2b, which is a second light beam outside the first light beam. A condensed spot P2 is formed on the boundary between the photodetector 7c and the photodetector 7d constituting the portion, and a third light receiving portion is formed by a light beam from the third region 2c serving as an information signal of the magneto-optical disk 6. Is formed on the photodetector 7e.

Each of the photodetectors 7a to 7e converts received light (optical signal) into an electric signal, and converts the converted electric signal into the control signal generating circuit 20 and the information signal. The data is output to the reproduction circuit 21.

Therefore, the light detectors 7a and 7b of the first light receiving portion of the light detecting device 7 are reflected by the magneto-optical disk 6 and pass through the condensing optical system 10 composed of the solid immersion lens 5 and the objective lens 4. Of the light beam
A first light beam diffracted in a first area 2a of the hologram 2 near the optical axis OA is incident.

The light detectors 7c and 7d of the second light receiving section of the light detecting device 7 are reflected by the magneto-optical disk 6 and pass through the condensing optical system 10 composed of the solid immersion lens 5 and the objective lens 4. Out of the first region 2a of the hologram 2 of the hologram 2
The second light beam diffracted in the region 2b is incident.

Further, the light is reflected by the magneto-optical disk 6 and passes through the light collecting optical system 10 including the solid immersion lens 5 and the objective lens 4 to the light detector 7e which is the third light receiving portion of the light detecting device 7. Light beam is hologram 2
Is diffracted and incident on the third region 2c.

In each of the photodetectors 7a to 7e, the received optical signals are converted into electric signals S1 to S5, respectively.

The electric signals obtained by the photodetectors 7a to 7e are output to a control signal generation circuit 20 shown in FIG. 2 and are used for adjusting the movement of the objective lens 4 and the solid immersion lens 5 in the condensing optical system 10. used.

The electric signal is transmitted to the information reproducing circuit 21.
And converted to a reproduction signal. That is, the information signal (reproduction signal) RF recorded on the magneto-optical disk 6 is:
RF = S1 + S2 + S3 + S4 + S5.

Here, when the thickness of the substrate of the magneto-optical disk 6 and the relative position between the solid immersion lens 5 and the objective lens 4 are appropriate and no spherical aberration occurs, the magneto-optical disk 6 is placed on the magneto-optical disk 6. When the focus is correctly focused, that is, at the time of focusing, each of the photodetectors 7a to 7e
The shapes of the converging spots P1 to P3 formed in FIG.
As shown in (b), each becomes a point of substantially the same size.

At this time, of the light beams diffracted by the hologram 2, the focused spot P1 where the first light beam on the optical axis OA side is focused has an irradiation area with respect to the photodetectors 7a and 7b. It is formed to be equal. That is, the electric signal S1 obtained from the photodetector 7a is equal to the electric signal S2 obtained from the photodetector 7b.

Here, the focus error signal FES indicating the focus error of the light beam applied to the magneto-optical disk 6 is represented by FES = S1-S2.

Therefore, as described above, when the values of the electric signals S1 and S2 obtained by the photodetectors 7a and 7b are equal, that is, at the time of focusing, the focus error signal FES is 0.

When the light beam applied to the magneto-optical disk 6 is out of focus, the condensed spots P1 to P3 formed on the photodetectors 7a to 7e expand in a semicircular shape. For example, when the magneto-optical disk 6 moves away from the objective lens 4, as shown in FIG.
Spread in a semicircular shape on the photodetector 7b. On the other hand, when the magneto-optical disk 6 moves in a direction approaching the objective lens 4, as shown in FIG. 3C, the condensed spot P1 spreads in a semicircular shape on the photodetector 7a.

That is, when the magneto-optical disk 6 moves in a direction away from the objective lens 4, the light detector 7b
The value of the electric signal S2 converted by
The value becomes larger than the value of the electric signal S1 converted by a, and the focus error signal FES shows a negative value.

On the other hand, when the magneto-optical disk 6 moves in a direction approaching the objective lens 4, the value of the electric signal S1 converted by the photodetector 7a is smaller than the value of the electric signal S1 converted by the photodetector 7b. It becomes larger than the value of S2, and the focus error signal FES shows a positive value.

Therefore, the focus error signal FES is set to 0
This is performed by moving the objective lens 4 in the direction of the optical axis OA by the focus actuator 14 provided on the holder 13 holding the objective lens 4. At this time, the drive amount of the focus actuator 14 by the focus drive circuit 18 is determined by the photodetectors 7a and 7b.
Are adjusted by the control signal obtained by the control signal generation circuit 20 based on the electric signals S1 and S2 obtained by

In general, when the thickness of the substrate of the magneto-optical disk 6 and the relative position between the solid immersion lens 5 and the objective lens 4 are not appropriate, the spherical surface is formed in the condensing optical system 10 of the optical pickup device having the above-described configuration. Aberration occurs.

The spherical aberration refers to a deviation between the focal point of the light beam passing through the central portion of the focusing optical system and the focal point of the light beam passing through the peripheral portion.

As described above, when spherical aberration occurs in the condensing optical system 10, the focused state in the condensing optical system 10, that is, the difference between the electric signals of the photodetectors 7a and 7b is zero.
4 (a) and FIG. 4 (c).
As shown in (2), the difference between the electric signals of the photodetectors 7c and 7d is not 0, but takes a positive or negative value. This indicates that positive or negative spherical aberration has occurred.

For example, in a state where there is no spherical aberration and in a focused state, all the light beams passing through the solid immersion lens 5 and the objective lens 4 constituting the condensing optical system 10 are as shown in FIG. Then, the light is focused on one point of the magneto-optical disk 6 on the optical axis OA. Photodetector 7 at this time
The shapes of the condensed spots P1 to P3 of the respective light beams in the above are as shown in FIG.

On the other hand, when a positive or negative spherical aberration occurs in the light-collecting optical system 10, the light beam passing through the light-collecting optical system 10 is changed as shown in FIGS.
As shown in (c), the light is not focused on one point of the magneto-optical disk 6. Here, it is assumed that the focal position of the light beam on the side closer to the optical axis OA is at an appropriate position on the magneto-optical disk 6. For example, when a positive spherical aberration occurs in the focusing optical system 10, FIG. As shown in FIG. 5A, the focal position of the light beam in the peripheral portion of the condensing optical system 10 is farther from the solid immersion lens 5 than the focal position of the light beam closer to the optical axis OA. On the other hand, when a negative spherical aberration occurs in the condensing optical system 10, as shown in FIG. 5C, the focal position of the light beam in the peripheral portion of the condensing optical system 10 is closer to the optical axis OA. It is closer to the solid immersion lens 5 than the focal position of the light beam.

Therefore, when the objective lens 4 is driven by the focus actuator 14 so that the focus error signal FES becomes 0, the thickness of the substrate of the magneto-optical disk 6 is different from the predetermined size. If a spherical aberration occurs, the light beam in the periphery of the condensing optical system 10 shows the same change as when the magneto-optical disk 6 approaches the solid immersion lens 5, so that the converging spots of the photodetectors 7c and 7d The shape of P2 is shown in FIG.
As shown in (c), it spreads like a half donut on the photodetector 7c.

Conversely, if a negative spherical aberration occurs, the light beam around the condensing optical system 10 changes in the same way as when the magneto-optical disk 6 moves away from the solid immersion lens 5, so that light detection is performed. The shape of the converging spot P2 of the detectors 7c and 7d is, as shown in FIG.
Spread half donut on d.

Therefore, when the focus error signal FES is kept at 0, the spherical aberration signal SA, which is a signal indicating the spherical aberration generated in the condensing optical system 10, is output to each of the photodetectors 7a to 7a.
The following is described using the electric signals S1 to S5 obtained from 7e.

SA = S3-S4 Further, the focus error signal FE
If S is not kept at 0, the spherical aberration signal SA becomes as follows in consideration of the focus error signal FES.

SA = (S3-S4)-(S1-S2) × K (K
Is a constant. The above-mentioned spherical aberration signal SA is generated by the control signal generation circuit 20 and output to the solid immersion lens drive circuit 19.

Therefore, the solid immersion lens driving circuit 19 calculates the
The drive of a solid immersion lens actuator 16 provided on the outer periphery of the holder 15 holding the solid immersion lens 5 is controlled to correct spherical aberration.

That is, when the spherical aberration signal SA indicates a positive spherical aberration, the solid immersion lens driving circuit 19 and the solid immersion lens 5
The drive of the solid immersion lens actuator 16 is controlled so as to increase the distance between the solid immersion lens 5 and the objective lens 4 when the spherical aberration signal SA indicates negative spherical aberration. Direction, the solid immersion lens actuator 16
Drive control.

As described above, if the spherical aberration generated in the condensing optical system 10 is corrected based on the spherical aberration signal SA to eliminate the spherical aberration, when reproducing information, the magneto-optical disk 6
The information recorded in the information can be satisfactorily reproduced. When recording information, if a magnetic head (not shown) is arranged on the opposite side of the magneto-optical disk 6 from the optical pickup device 11, the information can be written well on the magneto-optical disk 6. it can.

The correction of the spherical aberration may be performed when the magneto-optical disk 6 is mounted on the optical recording / reproducing apparatus, or after the magneto-optical disk 6 is mounted on the optical recording / reproducing apparatus.
It may be performed as needed while recording or reproducing information.

That is, for example, the semiconductor laser 1 records the spherical aberration information after the spherical aberration of the focusing optical system 10 is detected by the light detecting device 7 in the predetermined area of the magneto-optical disk 6. That is, the semiconductor laser 1 records the spherical aberration information in a predetermined area of the magneto-optical disk 6 only when the magneto-optical disk 6 is mounted after the light detecting device 7 detects the spherical aberration of the condensing optical system 10.

For example, if the variation in the substrate thickness of the magneto-optical disk 6 is kept within a certain value in one disk, the spherical aberration is detected first when the magneto-optical disk 6 is replaced, and The spherical aberration information is recorded in a predetermined area of the magneto-optical disk 6 by the semiconductor laser 1, the distance between the solid immersion lens 5 and the objective lens 4 is adjusted according to the spherical aberration information, and thereafter the lens distance is maintained. You can do it. In this case, the spherical aberration of the condensing optical system 10 is corrected only when the magneto-optical disk 6 is replaced. The semiconductor laser 1 also has a function of an aberration information recording unit that records spherical aberration information in a predetermined area of the magneto-optical disk 6.

On the other hand, when the variation in the substrate thickness of the magneto-optical disk 6 is large within one disk, the amount of aberration is always detected during recording and reproduction, and the solid immersion lens 5 and the objective lens 4 are used. , The spherical aberration is corrected. In this case, the magneto-optical disk 6
The correction of the spherical aberration of the condensing optical system 10 is always performed at the time of recording and reproducing. At this time, the detection of the spherical aberration of the condensing optical system 10 is always performed during the recording or the reproduction of the information on the magneto-optical disk 6, so that the detected spherical aberration information is not recorded on the magneto-optical disk 6. I do.

As described above, when the spherical aberration of the focusing optical system 10 is corrected only when the magneto-optical disk 6 is replaced,
Since the correction time may take a little longer, the objective lens 4 and the solid immersion lens 5 of the condenser optical system 10 may be used.
The solid immersion lens actuator 16 that adjusts the lens interval between the lens and the lens can be one that operates at a low speed.
Thus, an optical pickup device capable of correcting spherical aberration can be manufactured at low cost.

On the other hand, when the spherical aberration of the condensing optical system 10 is constantly corrected during recording and reproduction on the magneto-optical disk 6,
High-speed solid immersion lens actuator 16 that responds at a speed corresponding to the rotation speed of magneto-optical disk 6
However, since the manufacturing tolerance of the disk thickness can be increased, the manufacturing cost of the magneto-optical disk 6 can be reduced.

In the present embodiment, the hologram 2 is used as a means for guiding the light beam reflected on the magneto-optical disk 6 to the light detecting device 7. However, the present invention is not limited to this. A combination of a beam splitter and a wedge prism divided into a semicircular or semi-donut shape may be used. However, it is preferable to use the hologram 2 in order to reduce the size of the apparatus.

In order to determine the focus error signal FES, the optical axis O of the light beam passing through the condenser optical system 10 is determined.
The light beam (first light beam) on the side closer to A is determined by whether or not it is focused in the photodetector 7, but the present invention is not limited to this. The detection may be performed based on whether or not the light beam (second light beam) at the peripheral edge of the condensing optical system 10 is focused in the light detection device 7. However, the second light beam, which is the light beam at the periphery of the condensing optical system 10, is easily affected by spherical aberration, and it is difficult to precisely adjust the focal position, so that the optical axis OA
It is preferable to adjust the focus error using the first light beam which is the light beam closer to the side.

Further, in this embodiment, the objective lens 4
Although the detection and correction of the spherical aberration of the light-converging optical system 10 in which the lens and the solid immersion lens 5 are combined have been described, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the present invention is also applicable to a condensing optical system combining a plurality of lens elements.

[0077]

According to the present invention, it is possible to optically detect the spherical aberration occurring in the converging optical system, and to electrically detect the spherical aberration occurring in the converging optical system as in the prior art. Compared with a detecting device, it is possible to detect spherical aberration with higher accuracy without being affected by surrounding electric noise.

As described above, if the spherical aberration of the condensing optical system can be detected with high accuracy, there is an effect that the spherical aberration of the condensing optical system can be properly corrected.

Further, there is an effect that information can be appropriately recorded or reproduced on the recording medium.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an optical pickup device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of an optical disk recording / reproducing apparatus including the optical pickup device shown in FIG.

3 (a) to 3 (c) are explanatory views showing a change in the shape of a condensed spot on a photodetector when the light beam is out of focus in the optical pickup device shown in FIG.

4 (a) to 4 (c) are explanatory diagrams showing a change in the shape of a condensed spot on a photodetector when spherical aberration occurs in a converging optical system of the optical pickup device shown in FIG. It is.

5 (a) to 5 (c) are explanatory diagrams showing spherical aberration generated in a converging optical system of the optical pickup device shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a schematic configuration diagram of a conventional optical pickup device.

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference Signs List 1 semiconductor laser (light source, aberration information recording means) 2 hologram 2a first area 2b second area 4 objective lens (lens element) 5 solid immersion lens (lens element) 6 magneto-optical disk (recording medium) 7 light detection Device 7a Photodetector (first photodetector) 7b Photodetector (second photodetector) 7c Photodetector (third photodetector) 7d Photodetector (fourth photodetector) 10 Condensing optical system 16 Solid Immersion Lens Actuator (Aberration Correcting Means) CL Straight Line E1 First Half Circle E2 Second Half Circle OA Optical Axis

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) G11B 11/105 551 G11B 11/105 551L 5D119 551N 556B 556 G02B 7/11 N L F Term (Reference) 2G086 HH01 HH06 2H051 AA14 BA49 BA70 CB02 CB07 CB11 CB14 CB19 CC02 CD12 2H087 KA13 LA01 NA09 PA02 PA17 PB02 QA33 5D075 CD16 CD17 CE03 5D118 AA14 BB06 CD02 DA20 DB21 5D119 AA09 AA21 AA49 BB05 JA01

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A light beam that has passed through a condensing optical system is divided into a first light beam closer to an optical axis of the light beam and the first light beam.
A separating unit that separates the first and second light beams separated by the separating unit into a second light beam outside the light beam, and a light receiving unit that independently receives the first and second light beams separated by the separating unit. Detecting means for detecting a focus error and a spherical aberration of the condensing optical system based on the output. 2. The light receiving unit includes a first light receiving unit that receives the first light beam, and a second light receiving unit that receives the second light beam. The detection device according to claim 1, wherein a focus error of the first or second light beam is detected based on an output of the first or second light receiving unit. 3. The detection device according to claim 1, wherein the separation unit is a hologram. 4. A light source, a condensing optical system for condensing light emitted from the light source on a recording medium, and a light beam reflected on the recording medium and passing through the condensing optical system, the light beam Separating means for separating a first light beam closer to the optical axis of the first light beam and a second light beam outside the first light beam; and the first and second light beams separated by the separating means. Light receiving means for independently receiving the light beams; detecting means for detecting a focus error and spherical aberration of the focusing optical system based on an output of the light receiving means; and a focus error detected by the detecting means. A focusing error correction unit for correcting a focusing error of the focusing optical system, and an aberration correcting unit for correcting the spherical aberration of the focusing optical system based on the spherical aberration detected by the detecting unit. Optical picker characterized by Backup device. 5. The light receiving unit has a first light receiving unit that receives the first light beam, and a second light receiving unit that receives the second light beam. The optical pickup device according to claim 4, wherein a focus error of the first or second light beam is detected based on an output of the first or second light receiving unit. 6. The optical pickup device according to claim 4, wherein said separation means is a hologram. 7. The light-collecting optical system has a structure in which at least two lens elements are arranged at a predetermined interval, and the aberration correction unit is configured to perform a correction based on a spherical aberration detected by the detection unit. 7. The optical pickup device according to claim 4, wherein a spherical aberration of the condensing optical system is corrected by adjusting an interval between the lens elements.