JP2013016251A - Objective and optical pickup device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a single objective for condensing beams with different wavelengths on different recording surfaces of an optical disk, and provide an optical pickup device using the same.SOLUTION: An objective OBJ uses: a first beam with a wavelength λ1 that is emitted from a first light source LD1 to form a condensing spot on a first information recording surface RL1 of an optical disk OD through a protective layer with thickness t1; and a second beam with λ2 (λ1<λ2) that is emitted from a second light source LD2 to form a condensing spot on a second information recording surface RL2 of the optical disk through a protective layer with thickness t2 (t1≠t2). The objective OBJ satisfies the following formulae: (1) |WD1-WD2|≤0.005 mm; and (2) 40≤νd≤65. In the formulae, WD1 represents distance between the objective and the optical disk in condensing the first beam on the first information recording surface, WD2 represents distance between the objective and the optical disk in condensing the second beam on the second information recording surface, and νd represents the Abbe number to a d line of a material for the objective.

Description

  The present invention relates to an optical pickup device capable of recording and / or reproducing information with respect to an optical disc and an objective lens used therefor.

  In recent years, in an optical pickup device, a laser light source used as a light source for reproducing information recorded on an optical disc and recording information on the optical disc has been shortened. For example, a blue-violet semiconductor laser, Laser light sources with wavelengths of 400 to 420 nm, such as blue SHG lasers that perform wavelength conversion of infrared semiconductor lasers using harmonics, are being put into practical use. When these blue-violet laser light sources are used, when an objective lens having the same numerical aperture (NA) as that of a DVD (digital versatile disk) is used, it is possible to record information of 15 to 20 GB on an optical disk having a diameter of 12 cm. When the NA of the objective lens is increased to 0.85, 23 to 25 GB of information can be recorded on an optical disk having a diameter of 12 cm.

  Incidentally, a general information recording / reproducing apparatus equipped with an optical pickup device performs seek control using a traverse signal obtained by binarizing a tracking error signal output from the optical pickup device.

  However, the amplitude of the tracking error signal decreases due to various causes such as defects (defects) of the optical disc and attached dust, and at this time, the traverse signal continuously becomes “Lo” (this is called “missing tooth”). As a result, the information recording / reproducing apparatus causes a track count error that erroneously recognizes the seek amount too small. Due to the track count error, the optical pickup device overruns the target, and the address cannot be normally read from the destination track. In this case, the information recording / reproducing apparatus temporarily returns the optical pickup to a predetermined reference position, and re-executes the seek operation from the reference position, thereby degrading the performance of the entire information recording / reproducing apparatus. there were. On the other hand, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for shortening the seek time by signal processing. However, even in such a technique, a seek operation is essential, and a technique that can further shorten the access time is desired.

JP 2005-317112 A JP 2006-164331 A JP-A-10-293937

  On the other hand, in addition to the blue-violet laser light source used for recording / reproducing general information, a separate light source for reading position information is provided, and a position information recording layer of the optical disk is irradiated with a light beam of another wavelength emitted from the separate light source. Thus, a technique has been developed in which the position information recorded there is read out and the blue-violet laser light is quickly moved to the position to be recorded in the general information recording layer.

  However, if the blue-violet laser beam and the light beam having a different wavelength are collected using separate objective lenses, the optical system becomes complicated and the size of the configuration increases. On the other hand, blue-violet laser light and light beams of different wavelengths can be collected using a single objective lens in order to simplify and miniaturize the structure, but the position information recording layer is a general information recording layer. Therefore, when two light beams are simultaneously focused on the optical disc, how to adjust the working distance is important. Patent Documents 2 and 3 disclose techniques for irradiating different types of optical disks with different wavelengths using a single objective lens.

  The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems. An objective lens suitable for condensing light beams of different wavelengths on different recording surfaces of an optical disk using a single objective lens, and An object of the present invention is to provide an optical pickup device used.

In order to solve the above problems, the invention according to claim 1 is directed to the first information recording surface of the optical disc through the protective layer having a thickness of t1 using the first light beam having the wavelength λ1 emitted from the first light source. The second information of the optical disc is formed through a protective layer having a thickness t2 (t1 ≠ t2) using a second light flux having a wavelength λ2 (λ1 <λ2) emitted from the second light source. An objective lens that forms a condensing spot on the recording surface, a first photodetector that detects the first light flux reflected from the first information recording surface, and the reflected light from the second information recording surface In the objective lens of the optical pickup device including the second photodetector for detecting the second light flux,
The following formula is satisfied.
| WD1-WD2 | ≦ 0.005mm (1)
40 ≦ νd ≦ 65 (2)
However,
WD1: distance between the objective lens and the optical disc when the first light beam is condensed on the first information recording surface WD2: the objective lens when the second light beam is condensed on the second information recording surface Νd: Abbe number with respect to d-line in the material of the objective lens

  Using a single objective lens formed of a material that satisfies the formula (2), the first light flux having the wavelength λ1 and the second light flux having the wavelength λ2 are separated from the first information recording surface having a different thickness of the protective layer of the optical disc. When condensing each on the second information recording surface, if the expression (1) is satisfied, two light beams can be condensed simultaneously. Therefore, for example, reading of position information by the second light beam and the first light beam based thereon Since the irradiation position control can be performed in parallel, a quick search of the recording position becomes possible. In the present specification, WD1 means a working distance when the first light beam is condensed, and WD2 means a working distance when the second light beam is condensed. In the present invention, the light beam incident on the objective lens is not limited to parallel light but may be convergent light or divergent light.

  The objective lens described in claim 2 is characterized in that, in the invention described in claim 1, an optical path difference providing structure is formed on the optical surface of the objective lens.

The objective lens according to claim 3 forms a condensing spot on the first information recording surface of the optical disc through the protective layer having a thickness of t1 using the first light flux of wavelength λ1 emitted from the first light source. And focusing on the second information recording surface of the optical disc through a protective layer having a thickness of t2 (t1 ≠ t2) using a second light beam having a wavelength λ2 (λ1 <λ2) emitted from the second light source. An objective lens that performs spot formation, a first photodetector that detects the first light beam reflected from the first information recording surface, and a second light beam that detects the second light beam reflected from the second information recording surface. In an objective lens of an optical pickup device comprising two photodetectors,
An optical path difference providing structure is formed on the optical surface of the objective lens, and the following expression is satisfied.
T (mm) ≦ t2-t1 <0.25 (mm) (3)
T = 9.31 × (1 / νd) −0.0302 (4)
0.2 (μm / nm) ≦ ΔfB ≦ 0.6 (μm / nm) (5)
1 ≦ d × (n−1) / λ1 <2 (6)
−0.02 ≦ m1 ≦ 0.02 (7)
-0.02 ≤ m2 ≤ 0.02 (8)
However,
νd: Abbe number with respect to d-line in the material of the objective lens d: Step amount in the optical axis direction of the optical path difference providing structure (mm)
ΔfB: Chromatic aberration (μm / nm) of the objective lens with respect to the first light flux
n: refractive index with respect to d-line in the material of the objective lens m1: magnification of the objective lens with respect to the first light flux m2: magnification of the objective lens with respect to the second light flux

According to the present invention, it is possible to match the distance (working distance) between the objective lens and the optical disc while suppressing the chromatic aberration and the chromatic spherical aberration in the light flux having the wavelength λ1 within the recordable / reproducible range. Further, since the optical path difference providing structure is used, the objective lens can be easily manufactured at low cost. Equation (6) defines a step amount d of the optical path difference providing structure for generating first-order diffracted light when a light beam having a wavelength λ1 is incident on the optical path difference providing structure.
In addition, ΔfB in the equation (5) is determined by the chromatic dispersion in the material of the objective lens and the diffraction paraxial power of the optical path difference providing structure, and is determined in relation to the pitch of the optical path difference providing structure. Note that the upper limit value of the expression (3) is a value that is naturally determined by the standard of the optical information recording medium.

The objective lens according to claim 4 forms a condensing spot on the first information recording surface of the optical disc through the protective layer having a thickness of t1 using the first light flux of wavelength λ1 emitted from the first light source. And focusing on the second information recording surface of the optical disc through a protective layer having a thickness of t2 (t1 ≠ t2) using a second light beam having a wavelength λ2 (λ1 <λ2) emitted from the second light source. An objective lens that performs spot formation, a first photodetector that detects the first light beam reflected from the first information recording surface, and a second light beam that detects the second light beam reflected from the second information recording surface. In an objective lens of an optical pickup device comprising two photodetectors,
An optical path difference providing structure is formed on the optical surface of the objective lens, and the following expression is satisfied.
0.05 (mm) ≤ t2-t1 <T (mm) (3 ')
T = 9.31 × (1 / νd) −0.0302 (4)
0.2 (μm / nm) ≦ ΔfB ≦ 0.6 (μm / nm) (5)
S ≦ d × (n−1) / λ1 <S + 1 (6 ′)
−0.02 ≦ m1 ≦ 0.02 (7)
-0.02 ≤ m2 ≤ 0.02 (8)
However,
νd: Abbe number with respect to d-line in the material of the objective lens d: Step amount in the optical axis direction of the optical path difference providing structure (mm)
ΔfB: Chromatic aberration (μm / nm) of the objective lens with respect to the first light flux
n: Refractive index with respect to d-line in the material of the objective lens S: 3 or 4
m1: magnification of the objective lens with respect to the first light beam m2: magnification of the objective lens with respect to the second light beam

  According to the present invention, it is possible to match the distance (working distance) between the objective lens and the optical disc while suppressing the chromatic aberration and the chromatic spherical aberration in the light flux having the wavelength λ1 within the recordable / reproducible range. Further, since the optical path difference providing structure is used, the objective lens can be easily manufactured at low cost. The expression (6 ′) defines the step amount d of the optical path difference providing structure for generating the third-order or fourth-order diffracted light when the light beam having the wavelength λ1 enters the optical path difference providing structure. In addition, ΔfB in the equation (5) is determined by the chromatic dispersion in the material of the objective lens and the diffraction paraxial power of the optical path difference providing structure, and is determined in relation to the pitch of the optical path difference providing structure. Note that the lower limit of the expression (3 ′) is a value that is naturally determined by the standard of the optical information recording medium.

A diffractive lens made of glass or plastic as an optical material satisfying the expression (2) and having a diffractive structure as an optical path difference providing structure has the following three characteristics with respect to working distance.
(1) As an effect of chromatic dispersion of the objective lens material, the working distance increases as the wavelength increases.
(2) When the optical path length passing through the optical information recording medium becomes long (that is, the thickness of the optical information recording medium through which light passes becomes long), the working distance becomes large.
(3) The working distance changes depending on the diffraction paraxial power.
In other words, using the characteristics (1) to (3), the working distance can be made to coincide for two optical discs having different protective layer thicknesses, such as BD and DVD, and the objective lens can be displaced in the optical axis direction. It is possible to form a desired spot on the information recording surface of each optical disc without causing any trouble. In other words, when the same optical information recording medium having two recording layers having different protective layer thicknesses is irradiated with light beams having different wavelengths, a condensing spot can be simultaneously formed on the two recording layers. It becomes. The technique of the present invention can be used as appropriate for optical information recording media other than general optical disks (Blu-ray Disc, HD DVD, DVD, CD,...).

Here, since a certain amount of cancellation is possible due to the interaction of the characteristics of (1) and (2), the thickness (T) canceled when using the light flux of wavelength λ1 and the light flux of wavelength λ2, and the actual And the difference in the remaining working distance caused by the difference (Δt−T) is canceled by the paraxial diffraction power ratio λ2 × k2 / (λ1 × k1). good. k1 is the order of the diffracted light having the highest intensity generated when a light beam with wavelength λ1 is incident on the diffractive structure, and k2 is the most generated when the light beam with wavelength λ2 is incident on the same diffractive structure. The order of the diffracted light that increases in intensity. Here, as a specific combination,
A): Δt−T> 0, λ2 × k2 / (λ1 × k1)> 0 Positive diffraction paraxial power usage B): Δt−T> 0, λ2Xk2 / (λ1 × k1) <0 Negative diffraction paraxial Power usage C): Δt−T <0, λ2 × k2 / (λ1 × k1)> 0 Negative diffraction paraxial power usage D): Δt−T <0, λ2Xk2 / (λ1 × k1) <0 Positive diffraction Use of paraxial power E): Δt−T = 0, diffraction paraxial power unnecessary 5 types.
However,
Positive diffraction paraxial power: second-order coefficient C2> 0 of diffraction optical path difference function
Negative diffraction paraxial power: second-order coefficient C2 <0 of diffraction optical path difference function (usually used for achromatization)
It is.

  On the other hand, in order to properly collect the luminous flux, spherical aberration caused by the difference in the thickness of the protective layer must be corrected. Here, for example, when blue-violet laser light is used as the first wavelength and red laser light is used as the second light beam, spherical aberration in the same direction occurs due to the difference in refractive index and the thickness of the protective layer. In this case, spherical aberration in the reverse direction may be generated with a diffraction power ratio of λ2 × k2 / (λ1 × k1). The diffraction power here refers to the action of changing the third-order spherical aberration.

In particular,
a): λ2 × k2 / (λ1 × k1)> 0 Positive diffraction power b): λ2 × k2 / (λ1 × k1) <0 Negative diffraction power.
However,
Positive diffraction power: power that causes the third-order spherical aberration to be under due to a long wavelength. Negative diffraction power: power that causes the third-order spherical aberration to be over due to a long wavelength.

  In addition, for example, since recording / reproduction is performed at a focused spot of blue-violet laser light, the chromatic aberration characteristics that allow recording / reproduction without any problem even if a mode hop of the light source occurs, and the reference wavelength for each light source are different. It is also desirable that the lens has a chromatic spherical aberration characteristic such that the light beam is condensed. However, when condensing blue-violet laser light and red laser light at the same time, since the degree of freedom does not remain in the diffraction power of the diffraction structure, the present inventor can select the shape of the diffraction structure by They found that all the problems were solved.

  Specifically, the above A) or C) and a) are used. As a combination of diffraction orders matching this, there are (k1, k2) = (1, 1), (4, 3), (3, 2). The invention of claim 3 is based on the combination of C) + a), and the invention of claim 4 is based on the combination of A) + a).

  The objective lens according to a fifth aspect is the invention according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the wavelength λ1 is 400 to 410 (nm).

  The objective lens according to a sixth aspect is the invention according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the wavelength λ2 is 650 to 665 (nm).

  The objective lens according to claim 7 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the thickness t1 of the protective layer of the first information recording surface is 0.55 to 0.65 mm. Features.

The objective lens according to claim 8 is the objective lens according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the thickness t1 of the protective layer of the first information recording surface and the thickness of the protective layer of the second information recording surface. t2 satisfies the following expression.
t2-t1 = 0.1 (mm)
Thus, if the protective substrate thickness difference is small, the paraxial diffraction power and chromatic spherical aberration characteristics of the objective lens become small, and as a result, a diffraction structure having a wide pitch and easy to process can be provided.

  The objective lens according to claim 9 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the protective layer of the first information recording surface is a part of the protective layer of the second information recording surface. It is characterized by.

  The objective lens according to claim 10 is characterized in that, in the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 7, the first photodetector and the second photodetector are integrated, so that the light The pickup device can be reduced in size and cost. However, the first photodetector and the second photodetector may be separate.

  An optical pickup device according to an eleventh aspect uses the objective lens according to any one of the first to tenth aspects, and is based on information recorded on the second information recording surface. A recording position is determined, and information is recorded and / or reproduced with respect to the determined recording position of the first information recording surface.

  As the photodetector, a light receiving element such as a photodiode is preferably used. The second light beam reflected on the second information recording surface of the optical disc is incident on the light receiving element, the position information is detected using the output signal, and the light is collected on the first information recording surface of the optical disc based on the position information. The position is determined, and the first light beam is controlled to be condensed at such a condensing position. When the first light beam reflected on the first information recording surface is incident on the same light receiving element, information recording and / or Playback is to be performed.

  The condensing optical system has an objective lens. The condensing optical system may include only the objective lens, but the condensing optical system may include a coupling lens such as a collimator lens in addition to the objective lens. The coupling lens is a single lens or a lens group that is disposed between the objective lens and the light source and changes the divergence angle of the light beam. The collimator lens is a kind of coupling lens, and is a lens that emits light incident on the collimator lens as parallel light. Further, the condensing optical system has an optical element such as a diffractive optical element that divides the light beam emitted from the light source into a main light beam used for recording and reproducing information and two sub light beams used for tracking and the like. May be. In this specification, the objective lens refers to an optical system that is disposed at a position facing the optical disk in the optical pickup device and has a function of condensing the light beam emitted from the light source onto the information recording surface of the optical disk. Preferably, the objective lens is an optical system which is disposed at a position facing the optical disk in the optical pickup device and has a function of condensing the light beam emitted from the light source on the information recording surface of the optical disk, and further includes an actuator An optical system that can be integrally displaced at least in the optical axis direction. The objective lens is preferably a single objective lens, but may be formed of a plurality of optical elements. The objective lens may be a glass lens, a plastic lens, or a hybrid lens in which an optical path difference providing structure or the like is provided on a glass lens with a photocurable resin or the like. The objective lens preferably has a refractive surface that is aspheric. In the objective lens, the base surface on which the optical path difference providing structure is provided is preferably an aspherical surface.

  Moreover, when using an objective lens as a glass lens, it is preferable to use the glass material whose glass transition point Tg is 400 degrees C or less. By using a glass material having a glass transition point Tg of 400 ° C. or lower, molding at a relatively low temperature becomes possible, so that the life of the mold can be extended. Examples of such a glass material having a low glass transition point Tg include K-PG325 and K-PG375 (both product names) manufactured by Sumita Optical Glass Co., Ltd.

  By the way, since the specific gravity of a glass lens is generally larger than that of a resin lens, if the objective lens is a glass lens, the weight increases and a load is imposed on the actuator that drives the objective lens. Therefore, when the objective lens is a glass lens, it is preferable to use a glass material having a small specific gravity. Specifically, the specific gravity is preferably 3.0 or less, and more preferably 2.8 or less.

When the objective lens is a plastic lens, it is preferable to use a cyclic olefin-based resin material. Among the cyclic olefin-based materials, the refractive index at a temperature of 25 ° C. with respect to a wavelength of 405 nm is 1.52 to 1.60. The refractive index change rate dN / dT (° C. ⁻¹ ) is −20 × 10 ^{−5 to} −5 × 10 ^{− with} respect to the wavelength of 405 nm accompanying the temperature change within the range of −5 ° C. to 70 ° C. ^It is more preferable to use a resin material within a range of ⁵ (more preferably, −10 × 10 ^{−5 to} −8 × 10 ⁻⁵ ). When the objective lens is a plastic lens, the coupling lens is preferably a plastic lens.

  The optical path difference providing structure referred to in this specification is a general term for structures that add an optical path difference to an incident light beam. The optical path difference providing structure also includes a phase difference providing structure for providing a phase difference. The phase difference providing structure includes a diffractive structure. The optical path difference providing structure has a step, preferably a plurality of steps. This step adds an optical path difference and / or phase difference to the incident light flux. The optical path difference added by the optical path difference providing structure may be an integer multiple of the wavelength of the incident light beam or a non-integer multiple of the wavelength of the incident light beam. The steps may be arranged with a periodic interval in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis, or may be arranged with a non-periodic interval in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis.

The optical path difference providing structure preferably has a plurality of concentric annular zones centered on the optical axis.
In addition, the optical path difference providing structure can have various cross-sectional shapes (cross-sectional shapes in a plane including the optical axis). As shown in FIGS. 2 (a) and 2 (b), the blazed shape means that the cross-sectional shape including the optical axis of an optical element having an optical path difference providing structure is a sawtooth shape. In other words, the optical path difference providing structure has an oblique surface that is neither perpendicular nor parallel to the base surface. Further, as shown in FIG. 2 (c), the staircase shape means that the cross-sectional shape including the optical axis of the optical element having the optical path difference providing structure is a staircase shape. The difference providing structure has only a surface parallel to the base surface and a surface parallel to the optical axis, does not have an oblique surface with respect to the base surface, and gradually proceeds in the direction of the base surface. That is, the length in the optical axis direction changes.

  When the optical path difference providing structure has a blazed shape, a sawtooth shape as a unit shape is repeated. As shown in FIG. 2 (a), the same sawtooth shape may be repeated, and as shown in FIG. 2 (b), the size of the sawtooth shape gradually increases as it goes in the direction of the base surface. It may be a shape that increases in size or a shape that decreases. Moreover, it is good also as a shape which combined the shape where the magnitude | size of the serrated shape became large gradually and the shape where the magnitude | size of a serrated shape becomes small gradually. However, even in the case where the size of the serrated shape changes gradually, it is preferable that the size in the optical axis direction (or the direction of the passing light beam) hardly changes in the serrated shape. In the blazed shape, the length in the optical axis direction of one sawtooth shape (may be the length in the direction of the light beam passing through the sawtooth shape) is the pitch depth, that is, the step d (see FIG. 2 for each shape). The length of one sawtooth shape in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis is called the pitch width. In addition, in some regions, the blazed shape step is opposite to the optical axis (center) side, and in other regions, the blazed shape step is directed toward the optical axis (center) side. It is good also as a shape in which the transition area | region required in order to switch the direction of the level | step difference of a blaze | braze type | mold shape is provided in the meantime. This transition region is a region corresponding to a point that becomes an extreme value of the optical path difference function when the optical path difference added by the optical path difference providing structure, which is an optical path difference providing structure, is expressed by an optical path difference function. If the optical path difference function has an extreme point, the inclination of the optical path difference function becomes small, so that the annular zone pitch can be widened, and the decrease in transmittance due to the shape error of the optical path difference providing structure can be suppressed.

  In the case where the optical path difference providing structure has a stepped shape, the unit shape is a shape in which the step shape is repeated. There may be a shape or the like in which the same small staircase shape of several steps (for example, 4, 5 steps) as shown in FIG. Since the staircase shape approximates the blazed shape, the step d is obtained by estimating the approximate blazed shape (dotted line) as shown in FIG. Furthermore, the shape of the staircase may gradually increase in size as it proceeds in the direction of the base surface, or the shape of the staircase may gradually decrease in size. It is preferable that the length of the direction of light) hardly changes.

  An optical information recording / reproducing apparatus according to the present invention includes an optical disc drive apparatus having the optical pickup device described above.

  Here, the optical disk drive apparatus provided in the optical information recording / reproducing apparatus will be described. The optical disk drive apparatus can hold an optical disk mounted from the optical information recording / reproducing apparatus main body containing the optical pickup apparatus or the like. There are a system in which only the tray is taken out, and a system in which the optical disc drive apparatus main body in which the optical pickup device is stored is taken out to the outside.

  An optical information recording / reproducing apparatus using each of the above-described methods is generally equipped with the following components, but is not limited thereto. An optical pickup device housed in a housing or the like, a drive source of an optical pickup device such as a seek motor that moves the optical pickup device together with the housing toward the inner periphery or outer periphery of the optical disc, and the optical pickup device housing the inner periphery or outer periphery of the optical disc These include a transfer means of an optical pickup device having a guide rail or the like that guides toward the head, a spindle motor that rotates the optical disk, and the like.

  In addition to these components, the former method is provided with a tray that can be held in a state in which an optical disk is mounted and a loading mechanism for sliding the tray, and the latter method has no tray and loading mechanism. It is preferable that each component is provided in a drawer corresponding to a chassis that can be pulled out to the outside.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an objective lens suitable for condensing light beams of different wavelengths on different recording surfaces of an optical disc using a single objective lens, and an optical pickup device using the objective lens. become.

It is a figure which shows schematically the structure of the optical pick-up apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows typically some examples (a)-(d) of the optical path difference providing structure provided in the objective lens OBJ which concerns on this invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 1 determines the recording position of the first information recording surface RL1 based on the position information recorded on the second information recording surface RL2 of the optical disc OD, and determines the recording position of the first information recording surface RL1. 2 schematically shows a configuration of an optical pickup apparatus PU that records / reproduces information. In such an optical pickup device PU, a light beam having a wavelength λ1 = 405 nm is collected on the first information recording surface RL1 having a thickness t1 = 0.6 mm, and the protective layer PL2 including the protective layer PL1. On the second information recording surface RL2 having a thickness of t2 = 0.7 mm, a light beam having a wavelength λ2 = 655 nm is condensed. It is assumed that position information is recorded in advance on the second information recording surface RL2. The present invention is not limited to the present embodiment.

  The optical pickup device PU includes an objective lens OBJ, a stop ST, a collimating lens CL, a polarizing beam splitter PBS, a dichroic prism DP, and a first semiconductor laser LD1 (first light source) that emits a laser beam (first beam) having a wavelength λ1 = 405 nm. ), A second semiconductor laser LD2 (second light source) that emits a laser beam (second beam) of wavelength λ2 = 661 nm, a λ / 4 wavelength plate QWP, a sensor lens SN, and a light receiving element PD. The objective lens OBJ is driven for focusing and tracking by a biaxial actuator ACT. A diffractive structure DS is formed on the light source side optical surface of the objective lens OBJ, and the order of the diffracted light having the highest intensity generated when a light beam having the wavelength λ1 is incident on the diffractive structure DS is k1, and the wavelength λ2 (K1, k2) = (1,1), (4,3) or (3,2), where k2 is the order of the diffracted light having the highest intensity that is generated when the light beam enters the diffractive structure DS. It is.

  First, the divergent light beam of the second light beam (λ2 = 655 nm) emitted from the red semiconductor laser LD2 is reflected by the dichroic prism DP as shown by the dotted line, passes through the polarization beam splitter PBS, and is reflected by the collimating lens CL. After being converted into a parallel light beam, it is converted from linearly polarized light into circularly polarized light by the λ / 4 wavelength plate QWP, enters the objective lens OBJ, and passes through the protective substrate PL2 having a thickness of 0.7 mm, and the second information recording surface RL2 The spot is formed at the center of the spot.

  The reflected light beam modulated by the information pits on the second information recording surface RL2 is transmitted again through the objective lens OBJ and the aperture stop ST, then converted from circularly polarized light to linearly polarized light by the λ / 4 wavelength plate QWP, and by the collimating lens CL. After being converted into a convergent light beam and reflected by the polarization beam splitter PBS, it converges on the light receiving surface of the light receiving element PD via the sensor lens SN. Thereby, the position information recorded on the second information recording surface RL2 can be read.

  When the blue-violet semiconductor laser LD1 emits light appropriately at the position determined by reading such position information, the divergent light beam of the first light beam (λ1 = 405 nm) emitted from the blue-violet semiconductor laser LD1 is indicated by a solid line. As described above, after passing through the dichroic prism DP, it passes through the polarization beam splitter PBS, is converted into a parallel light beam by the collimating lens CL, and then is converted from linearly polarized light to circularly polarized light by the λ / 4 wavelength plate QWP, and is applied to the objective lens OBJ. Incident light becomes a spot formed on the first information recording surface RL1 via the protective substrate PL1 having a thickness of 0.6 mm, and forms the center of the spot.

  The reflected light beam modulated by the information pits on the first information recording surface RL1 again passes through the objective lens OBJ and the aperture stop ST, and then converted from circularly polarized light to linearly polarized light by the λ / 4 wavelength plate QWP, and by the collimating lens CL. After being converted into a convergent light beam and reflected by the polarization beam splitter PBS, it converges on the light receiving surface of the light receiving element PD via the sensor lens SN. Thereby, information can be recorded or reproduced with respect to the determined position of the first information recording surface RL1. Note that it is desirable that the laser light with the wavelength λ2 is irradiated at the same time during recording / reproduction using the laser light with the wavelength λ1, and the position information is read in real time.

<Example>
Next, examples that can be used in the above-described embodiment will be described. The optical path difference providing structure provided in the embodiments described below can be expressed by the following optical path difference function φ (mm).
[Optical path difference function]
φ = λ / λ _B × k × (C ₂ r ² + C ₄ r ⁴ + C ₆ r ⁶ + C ₈ r ⁸ + C ₁₀ r ¹⁰ )
However,
φ: optical path difference function λ: wavelength of light beam incident on the diffractive structure λ _B : manufacturing wavelength k: diffraction order of diffracted light used for recording / reproducing on an optical disk r: distance (radius) from the optical axis
C ₂ , C ₄ , C ₆ , C ₈ , C ₁₀ : Optical path difference function coefficients

Here, in the optical path difference function, λ / λ _B × k × C ₂ r ² determines the diffraction paraxial power, and λ / λ _B × k × (C ₄ r ⁴ + C ₆ r ⁶ + C ₈ r ⁸ + C Let ₁₀ r ¹⁰ ) determine the diffraction power.

The optical surface of the objective optical element is formed as an aspherical surface that is symmetric about the optical axis and is defined by a mathematical formula in which the coefficients shown in the table are substituted into the following aspherical expression.
[Aspherical expression]
z = (r ² / R) / [1 + √ {1- (κ + 1) (r / R) ² }] + B ₄ r ⁴ + B ₆ r ⁶ + B ₈ r ⁸ + B ₁₀ r ¹⁰ + B ₁₂ r ¹² + B ₁₄ r ¹⁴ + B ₁₆ r ¹⁶ + B ₁₈ r ¹⁸ + B ₂₀ r ²⁰
However,
z: Aspherical shape (distance in the direction along the optical axis from the apex of the aspherical surface)
r: distance from the optical axis R: radius of curvature κ: conic coefficient B ₄ , B ₆ , B ₈ , B ₁₀ , B ₁₂ , B ₁₄ , B ₁₆ , B ₁₈ , B ₂₀ : aspheric coefficient

In the following (including the lens data in the table), a power of 10 (for example, 2.5 × 10 ⁻³ ) is represented using E (for example, 2.5 × E−3).

  Example 1 is an objective lens corresponding to (k1, k2) = (4, 3). Table 1 shows lens data of Example 1.

  Example 2 is an objective lens corresponding to (k1, k2) = (4, 3). Table 2 shows lens data of Example 2.

  Example 3 is an objective lens corresponding to (k1, k2) = (1, 1). Table 3 shows lens data of Example 3.

  Example 4 is an objective lens corresponding to (k1, k2) = (3, 2). Table 4 shows lens data of Example 4.

  In Table 5, each value of Examples 1-4 is shown collectively.

AC biaxial actuator PBS polarizing beam splitter DP dichroic prism CL collimating lens LD1 blue-violet semiconductor laser OBJ objective lens PL1 protective substrate PL2 protective substrate PU optical pickup device RL1 first information recording surface RL2 second information recording surface PD photodetector QWP λ / 4 wavelength plate ST Aperture SN Sensor lens

A focused spot is formed on the first information recording surface of the optical disc through the protective layer having a thickness of t1 using the first light flux having the wavelength λ1 emitted from the first light source, and the wavelength emitted from the second light source. an objective lens that forms a focused spot on the second information recording surface of the optical disc through a protective layer having a thickness of t2 (t1 ≠ t2) using a second light flux of λ2 (λ1 <λ2); An optical pickup comprising: a first photodetector that detects the first light flux reflected from one information recording surface; and a second photodetector that detects the second light flux reflected from the second information recording surface. In the objective lens of the device,
It is preferable to satisfy the following formula.
| WD1-WD2 | ≦ 0.005mm (1)
40 ≦ νd ≦ 65 (2)
However,
WD1: distance between the objective lens and the optical disc when the first light beam is condensed on the first information recording surface WD2: the objective lens when the second light beam is condensed on the second information recording surface Νd: Abbe number with respect to d-line in the material of the objective lens

The objective lens according to claim 1 forms a condensing spot on the first information recording surface of the optical disc through the protective layer having a thickness of t1 using the first light flux of wavelength λ1 emitted from the first light source. An objective for forming a condensing spot on the second information recording surface of the optical disc through a protective layer having a thickness of t2 (t1 ≠ t2) using a second light flux of wavelength λ2 emitted from the second light source. A lens, a first photodetector for detecting the first light flux reflected from the first information recording surface, and a second photodetector for detecting the second light flux reflected from the second information recording surface. In the objective lens of the optical pickup device provided with
An optical path difference providing structure is formed on the optical surface of the objective lens, and the following expression is satisfied.
40 ≦ νd ≦ 65 (2)
T (mm) ≦ t2-t1 <0.25 (mm) (3)
T = 9.31 × (1 / νd) −0.0302 (4)
0.2 (μm / nm) ≦ ΔfB ≦ 0.6 (μm / nm) (5)
1 ≦ d × (n−1) / λ1 <2 (6)
However,
νd: Abbe number with respect to d-line in the material of the objective lens d: Step amount in the optical axis direction of the optical path difference providing structure (mm)
ΔfB: Chromatic aberration (μm / nm) of the objective lens with respect to the first light flux
n: Refractive index with respect to d-line in the objective lens material

A focused spot is formed on the first information recording surface of the optical disc through the protective layer having a thickness of t1 using the first light flux having the wavelength λ1 emitted from the first light source, and the wavelength emitted from the second light source. an objective lens that forms a focused spot on the second information recording surface of the optical disc through a protective layer having a thickness of t2 (t1 ≠ t2) using a second light flux of λ2 (λ1 <λ2); An optical pickup comprising: a first photodetector that detects the first light flux reflected from one information recording surface; and a second photodetector that detects the second light flux reflected from the second information recording surface. In the objective lens of the device,
An optical path difference providing structure is formed on the optical surface of the objective lens, and it is preferable that the following expression is satisfied.
0.05 (mm) ≤ t2-t1 <T (mm) (3 ')
T = 9.31 × (1 / νd) −0.0302 (4)
0.2 (μm / nm) ≦ ΔfB ≦ 0.6 (μm / nm) (5)
S ≦ d × (n−1) / λ1 <S + 1 (6 ′)
−0.02 ≦ m1 ≦ 0.02 (7)
-0.02 ≤ m2 ≤ 0.02 (8)
However,
νd: Abbe number with respect to d-line in the material of the objective lens d: Step amount in the optical axis direction of the optical path difference providing structure (mm)
ΔfB: Chromatic aberration (μm / nm) of the objective lens with respect to the first light flux
n: Refractive index with respect to d-line in the material of the objective lens S: 3 or 4
m1: magnification of the objective lens with respect to the first light beam m2: magnification of the objective lens with respect to the second light beam

Objective lens according to claim 2 is the invention according to claim 1, characterized in that the wavelength λ1 is Ri 400 to 410 (nm) Der, the wavelength λ2 is 650 to 665 (nm) And

The objective lens according to claim 3 is the invention according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the protective layer of the first information recording surface is part of the protective layer of the second information recording surface. To do.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the objective lens according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the first photodetector and the second photodetector are integrated.
The objective lens described in claim 5 is characterized in that, in the invention described in any one of claims 1 to 4, the following expression is satisfied.
−0.02 ≦ m1 ≦ 0.02 (7)
-0.02 ≤ m2 ≤ 0.02 (8)
However,
m1: magnification of the objective lens with respect to the first light flux
m2: magnification of the objective lens with respect to the second light flux

The objective lens according to claim 6 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 5 , wherein the thickness t1 of the protective layer of the first information recording surface is 0.55 to 0.65 mm. Features.

The objective lens according to claim 7 is the objective lens according to any one of claims 1 to 6 , wherein the thickness t1 of the protective layer on the first information recording surface and the thickness of the protective layer on the second information recording surface. t2 satisfies the following expression.
t2-t1 = 0.1 (mm)
Thus, if the protective substrate thickness difference is small, the paraxial diffraction power and chromatic spherical aberration characteristics of the objective lens become small, and as a result, a diffraction structure having a wide pitch and easy to process can be provided.

If the previous SL said second photodetector and the first photodetector are integrated, miniaturization of the optical pickup device, a cost reduction attained. However, the first photodetector and the second photodetector may be separate.

An optical pickup device according to an eighth aspect uses the objective lens according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, and is based on information recorded on the second information recording surface. A recording position is determined, and information is recorded and / or reproduced with respect to the determined recording position of the first information recording surface.

Claims (11)

A focused spot is formed on the first information recording surface of the optical disc through the protective layer having a thickness of t1 using the first light flux having the wavelength λ1 emitted from the first light source, and the wavelength emitted from the second light source. an objective lens that forms a focused spot on the second information recording surface of the optical disc through a protective layer having a thickness of t2 (t1 ≠ t2) using a second light flux of λ2 (λ1 <λ2); An optical pickup comprising: a first photodetector that detects the first light flux reflected from one information recording surface; and a second photodetector that detects the second light flux reflected from the second information recording surface. In the objective lens of the device,
An objective lens characterized by satisfying the following expression:
| WD1-WD2 | ≦ 0.005mm (1)
40 ≦ νd ≦ 65 (2)
However,
WD1: distance between the objective lens and the optical disc when the first light beam is condensed on the first information recording surface WD2: the objective lens when the second light beam is condensed on the second information recording surface Νd: Abbe number with respect to d-line in the material of the objective lens   The objective lens according to claim 1, wherein an optical path difference providing structure is formed on an optical surface of the objective lens. A focused spot is formed on the first information recording surface of the optical disc through the protective layer having a thickness of t1 using the first light flux having the wavelength λ1 emitted from the first light source, and the wavelength emitted from the second light source. an objective lens that forms a focused spot on the second information recording surface of the optical disc through a protective layer having a thickness of t2 (t1 ≠ t2) using a second light flux of λ2 (λ1 <λ2); An optical pickup comprising: a first photodetector that detects the first light flux reflected from one information recording surface; and a second photodetector that detects the second light flux reflected from the second information recording surface. In the objective lens of the device,
An objective lens, wherein an optical path difference providing structure is formed on the optical surface of the objective lens, and satisfies the following expression.
T (mm) ≦ t2-t1 <0.25 (mm) (3)
T = 9.31 × (1 / νd) −0.0302 (4)
0.2 (μm / nm) ≦ ΔfB ≦ 0.6 (μm / nm) (5)
1 ≦ d × (n−1) / λ1 <2 (6)
−0.02 ≦ m1 ≦ 0.02 (7)
-0.02 ≤ m2 ≤ 0.02 (8)
However,
νd: Abbe number with respect to d-line in the material of the objective lens d: Step amount in the optical axis direction of the optical path difference providing structure (mm)
ΔfB: Chromatic aberration (μm / nm) of the objective lens with respect to the first light flux
n: refractive index with respect to d-line in the material of the objective lens m1: magnification of the objective lens with respect to the first light flux m2: magnification of the objective lens with respect to the second light flux A focused spot is formed on the first information recording surface of the optical disc through the protective layer having a thickness of t1 using the first light flux having the wavelength λ1 emitted from the first light source, and the wavelength emitted from the second light source. an objective lens that forms a focused spot on the second information recording surface of the optical disc through a protective layer having a thickness of t2 (t1 ≠ t2) using a second light flux of λ2 (λ1 <λ2); An optical pickup comprising: a first photodetector that detects the first light flux reflected from one information recording surface; and a second photodetector that detects the second light flux reflected from the second information recording surface. In the objective lens of the device,
An objective lens, wherein an optical path difference providing structure is formed on the optical surface of the objective lens, and satisfies the following expression.
0.05 (mm) ≤ t2-t1 <T (mm) (3 ')
T = 9.31 × (1 / νd) −0.0302 (4)
0.2 (μm / nm) ≦ ΔfB ≦ 0.6 (μm / nm) (5)
S ≦ d × (n−1) / λ1 <S + 1 (6 ′)
−0.02 ≦ m1 ≦ 0.02 (7)
-0.02 ≤ m2 ≤ 0.02 (8)
However,
νd: Abbe number with respect to d-line in the material of the objective lens d: Step amount in the optical axis direction of the optical path difference providing structure (mm)
ΔfB: Chromatic aberration (μm / nm) of the objective lens with respect to the first light flux
n: Refractive index with respect to d-line in the material of the objective lens S: 3 or 4
m1: magnification of the objective lens with respect to the first light beam m2: magnification of the objective lens with respect to the second light beam   The objective lens according to claim 1, wherein the wavelength λ <b> 1 is 400 to 410 (nm).   The objective lens according to claim 1, wherein the wavelength λ <b> 2 is 650 to 665 (nm).   The objective lens according to claim 1, wherein a thickness t1 of the protective layer on the first information recording surface is 0.55 to 0.65 mm. The thickness t1 of the protective layer on the first information recording surface and the thickness t2 of the protective layer on the second information recording surface satisfy the following expressions. Objective lens.
t2-t1 = 0.1 (mm)   The objective lens according to claim 1, wherein the protective layer of the first information recording surface is a part of the protective layer of the second information recording surface.   The objective lens according to claim 1, wherein the first photodetector and the second photodetector are integrated.   The objective lens according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the recording position of the first information recording surface is determined based on information recorded on the second information recording surface, and the determined first An optical pickup device that records and / or reproduces information with respect to a recording position on one information recording surface.

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