JPH0861920A - Displacement measuring device and optical pickup - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To accurately detect the displacement of a measuring object by the application of a small-area light receiving means by reducing the beam diameter of reflected light from the object and keeping a part of the light incident on a diffraction grating as a parallel beam. CONSTITUTION: Light from a light source 1 is condensed on and radiated to an object to be measured 5 through an objective lens 4, and reflected light (parallel beam) therefrom is further reflected by a beam splitter 3 to be made incident on a beam diameter reduction means 10. Then, the reflected light is focused through a condenser lens (convex lens) 11 and again paralleled through a divergent lens (concave lens) 12. Furthermore, reflected light (parallel beam) with a reduced beam diameter is made incident on a double diffraction grating 6. In this grating 6, interference fringes appear among each diffracted beam generated within the incident light, and is received by a light receiving means 7. The displacement of the object 5 is measured on the basis of a change in the phase and pitch of the fringes. As a result, the displacement of the object 5 can be accurately measured with a small-area light receiving element, without using such a precious light receiving element material for a high speed processing.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a displacement measuring device and an optical pickup for measuring the displacement of an object to be measured such as a record carrier such as an optical disk.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is known an optical pickup that reproduces information recorded on an optical record carrier such as an optical disk by using its reflected light or records information.

A focus servo system is used in this kind of optical pickup, and as the focus servo system, there are an astigmatism method, a critical angle method, an if edge method and the like. Among them, the astigmatism method (optical disc technology by Radio Morio Co., Ltd. under the supervision of Morio Onoe, p99) is widely used not only for optical heads for magnetic discs but also for general optical discs including compact discs and laser discs.

The principle is that if the light receiving means (photodetector) is a four-division light receiving surface (each output is A, B, C, D), the incident light is focused on the disk. At that time, the image of the reflected light becomes circular on the 4-division light receiving surface of the photodetector,
At this time, the differential output (A + C)-(B + D) between the diagonal light receiving surfaces, which is the focus error output, becomes zero. On the other hand, if the disc becomes far or near from the objective lens,
The image of the four-division light receiving surface of the photodetector changes from a circular shape to an elliptical shape. Therefore, the focus error output becomes positive (far) or negative (close), so the position of the objective lens is adjusted so that this output becomes zero.

[0005]

By the way, generally, in this type of apparatus, in order to shorten the access time, it is important to reduce the size and weight of the optical pickup. However, in the focus detection method such as the conventional astigmatism method, a change in the shape of the beam is detected. Sensitivity cannot be obtained, and therefore there is a limit to miniaturization. In addition, the spot on the light receiving element is quite small, from several microns to several tens of microns, adjustment is difficult, and an offset occurs depending on the environment, which is unstable.

An object of the present invention is to provide a displacement measuring device and an optical pickup suitable for miniaturization and the like.

Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to use a light receiving means having a small area, and even in this case, it is possible to provide a displacement measuring device and an optical pickup capable of accurately detecting the displacement of an object to be measured. Has an aim.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, the applicant of the present invention has devised a displacement measuring device (optical pickup) as shown in FIG. 1, for example. Referring to FIG. 1, this displacement measuring apparatus is configured such that light from a light source 1 passes through a collimating lens 2 and a beam splitter 3 and an objective lens 4
Concentrate and irradiate the object to be measured (for example, an optical disc) 5 with
The reflected light from the DUT 5 is made incident on the double diffraction grating 6 including the two diffraction gratings 6a and 6b as parallel light through the objective lens 4 and the beam splitter 3, and the double diffraction grating 6
When parallel light is incident on the light, the phase and pitch of the interference fringes generated by the interference between the diffracted light are received by the light receiving means (light receiving element) 7 such as a photodiode, and the displacement of the DUT 5
For example, displacement (movement amount) of the DUT 5 in the optical axis direction (optical axis direction of incident light on the DUT; optical axis direction of the objective lens 4) x
It is designed to detect

Here, the principle of interference fringe generation using the double diffraction grating 6 consisting of the first diffraction grating 6a and the second diffraction grating 6b will be described with reference to FIGS. Now
It is assumed that the first diffraction grating 6a and the second diffraction grating 6b of the double diffraction grating 6 have pitches Λ ₁ and Λ ₂ , respectively, and light of the wavelength λ is vertically incident on the first diffraction grating 6a. . Note that the generality of the present invention is not lost even if the incidence is not normal.

In this double diffraction grating 6, the first diffraction grating 6a generates ± n-order light (n is positive), and
In the diffraction grating 6b, the + m-order light of the + n-order light (m is positive) and the + m-order light of the -n-order light (m is positive) are generated. Then, the ± generated by the second diffraction grating 6a
The m-th order lights are caused to interfere with each other to generate interference fringes. In addition, +
Indicates that the incident light is diffracted to the left in the traveling direction, and-represents the opposite case.

Here, the diffraction condition of the + nth order light in the first diffraction grating 6a is expressed by the following equation. In the case of -nth order, n may be replaced with -n, and therefore the description thereof is omitted below.

[0012]

## EQU1 ## sin θ ₁ = nλ / Λ ₁

The diffraction condition of the second diffraction grating 6b is expressed by the following equation.

[0014]

2 −sin θ ₂ + sin θ ₁ = mλ / Λ ₂

From the equations 1 and ₂ , the following equation is derived for θ ₂ .

[0016]

(3) sin θ ₂ = λ (n / Λ ₁ −m / Λ ₂ )

[0017] Figure 4 as shown in (a), 2 of the incidence angle of theta ₂
Pitch Λ _{0 of} interference fringes by two lights (plane waves) BM ₁ and BM ₂
Is expressed by Expression 4, and the phase of the interference fringes due to the relative phase is expressed by Expression 5.

[0018]

[Formula 4] Λ ₀ = λ / (2sin θ ₂ )

[0019]

[Formula 5] β ₀ = β ₁

Here, β ₀ is the phase of the interference fringe, and β ₁ is the phase between the plane waves BM ₁ and BM ₂ . Therefore, the relationship between the pitch of the interference fringes and the pitch of the double diffraction grating is expressed by Equation 6 using Equations 3 and 4.

[0021]

## EQU6 ## 1 / (2Λ ₀ ) = n / Λ ₁ −m / Λ ₂

Regarding the phase relationship in the case of the double diffraction grating 6 (see FIG. 4B), if the problem is only interference of diffracted light of positive and negative orders, the phase relationship immediately after the diffraction grating is reversed. Therefore, the phase of the interference fringe is expressed by the equation 7.

[0023]

(7) β ₀ = 2β ₂

From this, the pitch of the interference fringes is the pitch of the double diffraction grating 6 (that is, the pitch Λ _{1 of} the first diffraction grating 6a).
And the pitch Λ ₂ ) of the second diffraction grating 6b, it is completely independent of the wavelength λ of the incident light. When the light diameter is W ₀ and the right side and the left side of Expression 6 are multiplied, Equation 8 is obtained.

[0025]

[Equation 8] _{(W 0 / Λ 0) /} 2 = nW 0 / Λ 1 -mW 0 / Λ 2

Here, W ₀ / Λ ₀ is the number of interference fringes generated within the light diameter, and nW ₀ / Λ ₁ and mW ₀ / Λ ₂ are in the first diffraction grating 6a and the second diffraction grating 6b. It is obtained by multiplying the number of diffraction gratings within the light diameter by each order. That is,
It becomes the following formula.

[0027]

## EQU9 ## << Number of interference fringes >> / 2 = Order * << Number of first diffraction grating >>-Order * << Number of second diffraction grating >>

In this way, the relationship between the number of interference fringes, the number of the first and second diffraction gratings 6a and 6b, and the order of each, has been clarified. Although interference fringes are generated regardless of which order is used, ± 1st order light is superior to high order diffracted light because it has high diffraction efficiency. That is, the + 1st-order light generated by the first diffraction grating 6a and the -1st-order light of the second diffraction grating 6b.
(E in FIG. 3) and the −1st order light generated by the first diffraction grating 6a and the + 1st order light (F in FIG. 3) of the second diffraction grating 6b are most effective.

As an example of the number of interference fringes, when only ± 1st-order light is used, when a diffraction grating having a very high density of Λ ₁ = 0.948 μm is used in order to achieve high resolution, Λ ₀ = 1 mm is set large. Therefore, Λ ₂ = 0.94768 μm.

The difference between Λ ₁ and Λ ₂ is about 0.03%, which is very small, but can be created. If the diameter of the collimated light is set to about 2 mm, one or two interference fringes will be observed.

The above is the principle of interference fringe generation using the double diffraction grating 6.

A method of measuring the displacement of the object to be measured using this double diffraction grating will be described below with reference to FIG.

Referring to FIG. 5, a lens 101 is set on the surface of the object 5 to be measured so as to be substantially in focus, and a double diffraction grating 6 is set on the optical axis of the lens 101.

In FIG. 5, the focal length of the lens 101 is f, the distance between the lens and the surface of the object to be measured is b ₁ , the focusing position on the double diffraction grating side is b ₂ , and the lens aperture is A. There is. Further, the distance (defocus amount) between the lens focus position and the surface of the object to be measured is set to d, and the double diffraction grating 6 (6a, 6a,
The angle of incidence on 6b) is θ (the upper angle of the optical axis is θ ₁ and the lower angle is θ ₂ ). In this case, when the distance between the first and second diffraction gratings 6a and 6b of the double diffraction grating 6 is T and d << f, the following formula is established.

[0035]

## EQU10 ## 1 / f = 1 / b ₁ + 1 / b ₂ θ = A / b ₂ b ₁ = f + d

From Equation 10, b ₂ is expressed by the following equation.

[0037]

B ₂ = fb ₁ / (b ₁ −f)

From equations 10 and 11 θ is expressed by

[0039]

[Equation 12] θ = A (b ₁ −f) / fb ₁ = Ad / f (f + d)
≒ Ad / f ²

Here, it is assumed that the defocus amount d is minute, that is, d << f. In this case, the lens 10
The light emitted from the lens 1 is close to the collimated state,
And the double diffraction grating 6 are close to each other, the x-axis (x = 0 on the optical axis) along the first diffraction grating 6a as shown in FIG.
, And when taking the X axis (X = 0 on the optical axis) along the second diffraction grating 6b, A = x can be obtained, so
Is given by

[0041]

[Equation 13] θ = xd / f ²

As described above, the incident angle of the light beam differs depending on the position (x). The light which has entered the double diffraction grating 6 from both sides with respect to the optical axis and which has been diffracted twice by the double diffraction grating 6 is, as shown in FIG. 5, an emission surface (interference fringe generation surface). Meet at. Since these two lights BM ₃ and BM ₄ have different emission angles,
Interference occurs between these and interference fringes occur.

Next, the pitch of the interference fringes at each position is obtained.
The angle θ ₃ at which light above the optical axis is incident on x at y = 0 and exits at the exit surface is represented by the following equation (see FIG. 7).

[0044]

(14) sin θ ₁ −sin θ ₃ = λ (1 / Λ ₂ −1 / Λ ₁ )

Since θ _{1 to} 0 and θ _{3 to} 0, θ ₃ is given by the following equation.

[0046]

[Equation 15] θ ₃ = θ ₁ + λ (1 / Λ ₁ −1 / Λ ₂ )

Substituting equation 13 into equation 15, the following equation is obtained.

[0048]

[Equation 16] θ ₃ = xd / f ² + λ (1 / Λ ₁ −1 / Λ ₂ )

It is desired to define the position X of the light on the emission surface (y = T) of the second diffraction grating 6b of the double diffraction grating 6, but for the sake of simplicity, the diffraction angle of the first diffraction light is 45 °. Then, the following equation is obtained.

[0050]

X = x−T

Substituting equation 17 into equation 16, the following equation is obtained.

[0052]

[Equation 18] θ ₃ = d (X + T) / f ² + λ (1 / Λ ₁ −1 / Λ ₂ )

Similarly, the angle θ ₄ at which light below the optical axis is incident on x at y = 0 and exits at the exit surface is expressed by the following equation.

[0054]

Θ ₄ = d (X−T) / f ² + λ (1 / Λ ₁ −1 / Λ ₂ )

The pitch Λ ₀ of the interference fringes when the incident angles of the two light beams are θ ₃ and θ ₄ and θ ₃ ˜0 and θ ₄ ˜0 are expressed by the following equations.

[0056]

[Formula 20] Λ ₀ = λ / (| sin θ ₃ + sin θ ₄ |) = λ /
(| Θ ₃ + θ ₄ |)

By substituting the equations 18 and 19 into the equation 20, the following equation is obtained.

[0058]

Λ ₀ (d) = λ / [| 2dT / f ² + 2λ (1 /
Λ ₁ -1 / Λ ₂₎ |]

Here, as described above, λ is the wavelength and T is 2
The distance between the two diffraction gratings 6a and 6b, f is the focal length of the objective lens 4, Λ ₁ is the pitch of the first diffraction grating 6a, and Λ ₂ is the pitch of the second diffraction grating 6b. From this equation, it can be seen that the interference fringes generated by the double diffraction grating 6 are fringes of equal pitch Λ ₀ (d) that depend on the defocus amount d regardless of the position X. When the diffraction grating 6a and the diffraction grating 6b have the same pitch (Λ ₁ = Λ ₂ ), the pitch Λ ₀ (d) of the interference fringes is expressed by the following equation.

[0060]

[Formula 22] Λ ₀ (d) = f ² / [| (d / λ) | 2T]

When there is no defocus (when d = 0)
From Equation 22, Λ ₀ → ∞, but interference fringes occur when defocus occurs. Therefore, it is possible to obtain the displacement (more accurately, a minute displacement) d of the object to be measured or the focus error signal Fo by reading the change due to the defocus of the pitch or phase of the interference fringes.

For example, two diffraction gratings 6 having the same pitch
Parallel light is incident on the double diffraction grating 6 composed of a and 6b, and the + 1st order light at the first diffraction grating 6a and the −1st order light at the second diffraction grating 6b (referred to as E light) ) And the −1st-order light at the first diffraction grating 6a and the + 1st-order light (referred to as F light) at the second diffraction grating 6 are caused to interfere with each other, and the pitch Λ
An interference fringe of ₀ (d) can be generated.

Here, the phases of the two diffraction gratings 6a and 6b are
Intentionally shift (the distance between the peaks of the diffraction grating). 8 to 10 show a state where the phases of the two diffraction gratings 6a and 6b are shifted. That is, in FIG. 8 to FIG.
The pitch of the first diffraction grating 6a and the second diffraction grating 6b is Λ
When (= Λ ₁ = Λ ₂ ), the phase difference between the peaks of the first diffraction grating 6a and the valleys of the second diffraction grating 6b is set to Λ / 8, and the ± 1st order light is diffracted light. The case where (the above-mentioned E light and F light) is used is shown, and in this case, the phases of the two diffracted lights (E light and F light) from the second diffraction grating 6b are 90 °.
(1/4 pitch = λ / 4) More specifically, when not in defocus, the E light and the F light have wavefronts parallel to each other, and their equiphase surfaces enter into each other like a comb. At this time, since the E-phase and F-light equiphase surfaces do not intersect, no interference fringes occur.

As described above, FIG. 8 shows the case where there is no defocus as described above, but when defocus d occurs, the wavefronts of E light and F light are microscopically as shown in FIG. 9 and FIG. Each is curved as shown in FIG. Due to this curvature, the equal phase planes intersect, and interference fringes of the pitch Λ ₀ (d) expressed by Formula 22 are generated. The interference fringe is formed by the intersection of the E and F light wavefronts, and the intersection moves depending on whether the defocus is positive or negative, as indicated by CLS in the figure. This means that the left and right phases are reversed. The light amount distribution of the interference fringes qualitatively changes due to defocusing as shown in FIG. 11, and the left side LT and the right side RT in the interference plane are inverted at the boundary of d = 0. Therefore, the defocus d can be known by reading this with the light receiving means.

Specifically, the left side LT and the right side R in the interference plane
A light receiving element (eg, photodiode) is installed at each T, and the amount of light detected by the light receiving element on the left side (output)
The difference DI between A'and the detected light amount (output) B'of the light receiving element on the right side
When F (= A'-B ') is detected, a so-called S-shaped curve as shown in FIG. 12 is obtained.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a configuration example of an optical pickup to which the above principle is applied. Here, a semiconductor laser (LD) is generally used as the light source 1. This optical pickup is used in an optical recording / reproducing apparatus that records and reproduces information by condensing and irradiating light from a light source onto a record carrier. In the configuration of FIG. 13, the light from the light source 1 is collimated by a collimating lens. The light is collimated by 2 and is incident on the objective lens 4 through the beam splitter 3, and is condensed by the objective lens 4 to irradiate the record carrier as the DUT 5. The reflected light from the record carrier 5 again enters the double diffraction grating 6 via the objective lens 4 and the beam splitter 3. In the double diffraction grating 6, the reflected light incident on the double diffraction grating 6 causes interference fringes according to the above-described principle, and the generated interference fringes are received by the light receiving means (for example, FIG. 14).
Light is received by the two-divided light receiving element (7) as shown in (a), and the defocus amount d of the record carrier 5 is detected based on the output difference DIF (= A'-B ') of the two-divided light receiving element. The focus error signal Fo is obtained based on the defocus amount d and the focus servo is performed.

In order to detect not only the focus error signal Fo but also the track error signal Tr, the focus detection method is used, and the light receiving means 7 is divided into four light receiving elements (each output is as shown in FIG. 14B). A, B, C, D) may be used. Then, the focus error signal Fo is given by
3 and the track error signal Tr is calculated by using the push-pull method.

[0068]

(23) Fo = (A + B)-(C + D)

[0069]

[Equation 24] Tr = (A + D)-(B + C)

When it is not necessary to detect a track, a two-divided light receiving element (outputs A ', B') as shown in FIG. 14A is sufficient instead of the four-divided light receiving element. In this case, the focus error can be detected by the output difference A′−B ′ of the two light receiving elements. Similarly, when detecting a track by the wobbling method, a focus error is detected by the output difference A′−B ′ of the two light receiving elements, and a track error is detected by the sum A ′ + B ′ of the outputs of the two light receiving elements. be able to.

As described above, by using the interference fringes of the double diffraction grating 6, it is possible to provide a displacement measuring device and an optical pickup suitable for downsizing.

By the way, in order to receive all the light from the double diffraction grating 6 by the light receiving means 7, the area of the light receiving means 7 is set.
An area which is slightly larger than the beam diameter is required (that is, the area of the entire 2-division light receiving element or the area of the 4-division light receiving element, ...). To meet this requirement, a material for a high-speed light receiving element is required, which increases the cost by about 20% as compared with a normal light receiving element material.

The present invention is intended to alleviate such problems. That is, when detecting the displacement of the object to be measured (for example, the amount of movement of the object to be measured in the optical axis direction of the objective lens 4), a light receiving means having a small area can be used, and therefore, a high-speed and expensive light receiving element. It is intended to provide a displacement measuring device and an optical pickup capable of accurately detecting a displacement of an object to be measured with a light receiving element using a general light receiving element material without using a material for the light receiving element.

Therefore, according to the first and third aspects of the present invention, the light from the light source is focused on the object to be measured, and the displacement of the object to be measured is measured based on the reflected light from the object to be measured. In the displacement measuring device, the light flux diameter of the reflected light from the object to be measured is reduced, and at least a part of the light flux diameter is reduced to parallel light, and the light flux diameter is reduced by the light flux diameter reduction means. Interference fringes generated by interference between the diffracting means, which generates diffracted light when at least part of the light is parallel light, and the diffracted light generated by the diffracting means are projected and impinge on the DUT. And a light receiving unit that detects a displacement of the object to be measured in the optical axis direction by reading a change in interference fringes accompanying movement of the object to be measured in the optical axis direction. With this, when detecting the displacement of the object to be measured (for example, the amount of movement of the object to be measured in the optical axis direction of the objective lens 4), the light receiving means having a small area can be used, and therefore high speed and expensive. The displacement of the object to be measured can be accurately detected by a light receiving element using a normal light receiving element material, without using the light receiving element material.

Further, in the inventions of claims 2 and 5, the displacement from which the light from the light source is condensed and irradiated to the object to be measured and the displacement of the object to be measured is measured based on the reflected light from the object to be measured. In the measuring device, the reflected light from the object to be measured is incident as parallel light, diffracting means for generating diffracted light, condensing means for converging diffracted light from the diffracting means, and condensing means for generating diffracted light. The interference fringes generated by the interference between the focused diffracted lights are projected, and the change in the interference fringes accompanying the movement of the DUT in the optical axis direction of the light incident on the DUT is read to read the optical axis. And a light receiving means for detecting the displacement of the object to be measured in the direction. With this, when detecting the displacement of the object to be measured (for example, the amount of movement of the object to be measured in the optical axis direction of the objective lens 4), the light receiving means having a small area can be used, and therefore high speed and expensive. The displacement of the object to be measured can be accurately detected by a light receiving element using a normal light receiving element material, without using the light receiving element material.

In the invention according to claim 4, the invention according to claim 3
In the optical pickup described above, the luminous flux diameter reducing means includes:
A grating lens is used that diffracts a part of the reflected light into parallel light and transmits the other part into focused light. Thus, the focus error signal and / or the tracking error signal can be detected based on the parallel light from the light beam diameter reducing means, and the recording signal can be detected based on the focused light from the light beam diameter reducing means.

[0077]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 15 is a configuration diagram of an embodiment of a displacement measuring device (for example, an optical pickup device) according to the present invention. With reference to FIG. 15, this displacement measuring apparatus includes a light source (for example, a semiconductor laser) 1, a collimating lens 2 for collimating the light from the light source 1, a beam splitter 3, and a collimating lens 2. Light to be measured (e.g. record carrier)
The objective lens 4 for converging and irradiating the object 5 and the reflected light from the object to be measured 5 are incident through the objective lens 4 and the beam splitter 3 to reduce the diameter of the light beam of the reflected light from the object to be measured 5. The interference fringes generated by the interference between the means 10, the diffracting means 6 into which the reflected light having the smaller luminous flux diameter by the luminous flux diameter reducing means 10 is incident, and the diffracted light generated by the diffracting means 6 are projected, and the interference fringes are projected. Based on the interference fringes, information on the displacement (more accurately, a minute displacement) of the object to be measured 5 (more precisely, displacement of the object to be measured in the optical axis direction of the objective lens 4 (defocus amount) and / or Alternatively, it has a light receiving means (for example, a light receiving element such as a photodiode) 7 for detecting the displacement of the object to be measured in the track direction (radiation direction of the record carrier) orthogonal to the optical axis direction of the objective lens.

Here, the diffracting means 6 is constructed as a double diffraction grating consisting of two diffraction gratings 6a and 6b, like the above-mentioned device. Further, in the example of FIG. 15, the light flux diameter reducing means 10 is configured by a combination of a condenser lens (convex lens) 11 and a diverging lens (concave lens) 12, and reduces the light flux diameter when parallel light is incident. Then, the light is emitted again as parallel light.

In the displacement measuring device having such a configuration, the light from the light source 1 is condensed and irradiated onto the object to be measured 5 by the objective lens 4, and the reflected light (parallel light) from the object to be measured 5 is reduced in beam diameter. It is incident on the means 10. In the light flux diameter reducing means 10, first, a convex lens (condensing lens) 11 focuses reflected light that is parallel light, and then the focused reflected light is collimated again by a diverging lens (concave lens) 12. In this way,
After reducing the luminous flux diameter of the reflected light (parallel light) from the DUT 5 into parallel light again, the collimated light with the reduced luminous flux diameter is incident on the double diffraction grating 6 as shown in FIG. Let In the double diffraction grating 6, when reflected light (parallel light) having a reduced luminous flux diameter is incident, diffracted light is generated and the generated diffracted light is subjected to the same shearing interference method as described above (see FIG. 1
6), interference fringes are generated by the interference. Note that FIG. 16 shows a case where interference occurs between the + 1st order light and the −1st order light. The generated interference fringes are received by the light receiving means 7
The light receiving means 7 measures the displacement of the DUT 5 based on the change in the phase and pitch of the interference fringes.

As the light receiving means 7, for example, when two-divided light receiving elements (for example, photodiodes having two light receiving surfaces) 7a and 7b are used as shown in FIG. 17A,
The fact that the phase and pitch of the interference fringes change with the movement of the DUT 5 in the optical axis direction x indicates that the two light receiving elements 7a and 7b.
It is possible to detect the displacement (movement amount) of the DUT 5 in the optical axis direction x by reading it as the output difference (A'-B '). Specifically, when the displacement measuring device is an optical pickup device and the DUT 5 is a record carrier (for example, an optical disc), the movement amount of the record carrier 5 in the optical axis direction x is detected by the above principle. , A defocus amount, that is, a focus error can be detected.

Further, as the light receiving means 7, for example, FIG.
As shown in (b), a four-divided light receiving element (for example, a photodiode having four light receiving surfaces) 7c, 7d, 7e, 7f
, The phase and pitch of the interference fringes change with the movement of the DUT 5 in the optical axis direction X. The sum of outputs (A + B) of the two light receiving elements 7c and 7d and the two light receiving elements 7
Difference between output sum of e and 7f (C + D) [(A + B)-(C +
D)], the displacement (movement amount) of the DUT 5 in the optical axis direction x can be detected. As a result, this displacement measuring device is an optical pickup device, and the device under test 5
Is a record carrier (for example, an optical disk), the defocus amount, that is, the focus error can be detected by detecting the movement amount of the record carrier 5 in the optical axis direction x according to the above principle.

Further, when the DUT 5 has a track pattern in its radiation direction (track direction), such as an optical disk, this track pattern image is also projected on the light receiving means 7, so that the light reception is performed. The means 7 is shown in FIG.
If the track pattern image changes, the output sum of the two light receiving parts 7c and 7f (A + D)
And the output sum (B + C) of the two light-receiving units 7d and 7e as [(A + D)-(B + C)]
The track error of the (optical disk) 5 can be detected. In particular, according to the present invention, the projected image on the light receiving means 7 is such that the changing directions of the interference fringes of the two diffracted lights from the diffraction grating 16 and the changing direction of the track pattern image are orthogonal to each other. It is possible to detect them independently and with high reliability by eliminating the situation where they interfere with each other. That is, the focus error and the track error can be accurately detected independently of each other.

When the light receiving means 7 is, for example, as shown in FIG. 17 (b), the sum of the outputs of the four light receiving portions 7c, 7d, 7e, 7f.
By taking (A + B + C + D), DUT (optical disc)
The recording signal of No. 5 can also be detected.

By the way, in the present embodiment, since the light beam diameter of the reflected light (parallel light) from the object to be measured 5 is reduced and is made incident on the double diffraction grating 6 as parallel light, it is projected on the light receiving means 7. The light flux diameter of the light including the information of the interference fringes and the track pattern image can be reduced, and the light receiving means 7, that is, the light receiving elements 7a, 7b and 7c, as shown in FIGS. As 7d, 7e, and 7f, those having a small light receiving area can be used. As a result, the displacement of the measured object (for example, the amount of movement of the measured object in the optical axis direction of the objective lens 4)
When detecting the light, it is possible to use a light receiving means having a small area. Therefore, the displacement of the object to be measured can be detected by a light receiving element using a normal light receiving element material without using an expensive high-speed compatible light receiving element material. It can be detected accurately.

In the example of FIG. 15, the luminous flux diameter reducing means 1
Although 0 is composed of the combination of the convex lens 11 and the concave lens 12, the light flux diameter reducing means 10 can be modified in various ways other than this. For example, as shown in FIG. 18, a combination of the convex lens 13 and the convex lens 14 may be used.

Further, in the examples of FIGS. 15 and 18, the beam splitter 3 is arranged between the collimator lens 2 and the objective lens 4, so that the reflected light from the beam splitter is made into parallel light and the light beam diameter reducing means 10 is used. However, instead of this, as shown in FIG. 19 or 20, the beam splitter 3 is connected to the light source 1 and the collimator lens 2.
It can be placed between and. In this case, the reflected light from the beam splitter 3 can be obtained as focused light instead of parallel light. Therefore, in this case, the configuration of the light beam diameter reducing means 10 is as shown in FIGS. The convex lenses 11 and 13 can be omitted. In other words, the beam splitter 3 itself can be made to have a part of the function of the light beam diameter reducing means 10, that is, a function as a condenser lens. Further, as shown in FIGS. 21 and 22, the collimating lens 2 can be omitted.

Further, instead of providing the beam diameter reducing means 10 between the beam splitter 3 and the double diffraction grating 6, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3, a condensing unit (for example, a convex lens) 30 may be provided between the double diffraction grating 6 and the light receiving unit 7.

In the structure as shown in FIG. 23, the reflected light including the information from the DUT 5 is incident on the double diffraction grating 6 through the beam splitter 3 and is emitted from the double diffraction grating 6. The emitted light (diffracted light) is focused by the convex lens 30. It should be noted that the phase information needs to be maintained in the Shulling interferometry, but as shown in FIG. 24, the phases of the diffracted lights are maintained even when the parallel light is changed to the focused light by the convex lens 30. As a result, interference fringes can be generated even with focused light, and thus a focus error signal can be detected. That is, even with the configuration shown in FIG. 23,
As in the case of the configuration shown in FIG.
It is possible to reduce the spot diameter of the light incident on the light receiving device (a light receiving means having a small light receiving area can be used) and to detect not only the recording signal and the track error signal but also the focus error signal. You can

Further, for example, in FIG. 15, FIG. 18, FIG. 19, FIG. 20, FIG. 21, and FIG. 22, a grating lens can be used as an element constituting the beam diameter reducing means 10. FIG. 25 shows the concave lens 12 in the configuration of FIG.
It is a figure which shows the case where the grating lens 35 is used instead of. FIG. 26 shows a plan view of the grating lens 35. When the grating lens 35 is used, a concave lens action occurs due to diffraction in the grating lens 35, and a part of the light becomes parallel light with a reduced luminous flux diameter, while another part of the light passes through the grating lens 35. Then, the state of the focused light is maintained and the light is incident on the light receiving means 7 as an extremely small spot. Therefore,
As the light receiving means 7, for example, as shown in FIG.
When using the divided light receiving elements 7c to 7g, or in FIG.
When using the 7-divided light receiving elements 7h to 7n as shown in (b), the light receiving element 7g having an extremely small light receiving area for the focused light is used.
Alternatively, the recording signal can be detected by detecting with 7n. Further, based on the light that has been diffracted by the grating lens 35, the light beam diameter has been reduced, and has become parallel light, the light receiving elements 7c, 7 having a small light receiving area are formed in the same manner as described above.
d, 7e, 7f or 7h, 7i, 7j, 7k, 7
The focus error and / or the track error can be detected by l and 7m.

Generally, high speed is required for reading the recording signal, but in the configuration examples of FIGS. 25 and 26, since this recording signal can be detected by the light receiving element 7g having an extremely small light receiving area, high speed operation is possible. It is possible to detect a recording signal accurately and at high speed with a light receiving element using a normal light receiving element material, without using the expensive light receiving element material.

In the above embodiment, the beam splitter 3 transmits the light from the light source 1 and the collimator lens 2 and reflects the reflected light from the DUT 5. On the contrary, the light from the light source 1 and the collimator lens 2 may be reflected and incident on the DUT 5, and the light reflected from the DUT 5 may be transmitted.

[0092]

As described above, according to the first and third aspects of the invention, the light from the light source is focused and irradiated on the object to be measured, and based on the reflected light from the object to be measured, In a displacement measuring device for measuring the displacement of an object to be measured, a light beam diameter reducing means for reducing the light beam diameter of the reflected light from the object to be measured, and at least a part of the light flux is a parallel light beam, and a light beam diameter reducing means. Projection of interference fringes caused by interference between the diffracted light generated by the diffracting means and the diffracted light that is generated by diffracted light when the light beam diameter is reduced and at least part of which is parallel light And light receiving means for detecting the displacement of the measured object in the optical axis direction by reading the change in the interference fringes accompanying the movement of the measured object in the optical axis direction of the light incident on the measured object. Therefore, the displacement of the object to be measured (for example, the object to be measured in the optical axis direction of the objective lens 4) It is possible to use a light receiving means with a small area when detecting the amount of movement of the object to be measured. Therefore, a light receiving element using a normal light receiving element material can be used without using an expensive light receiving element material for high speed. Thus, the displacement of the object to be measured can be accurately detected.

According to the second and fifth aspects of the present invention, the light from the light source is focused onto the object to be measured and the displacement of the object to be measured is measured based on the reflected light from the object to be measured. In the displacement measuring device, the reflected light from the object to be measured is incident as parallel light, diffracting means for generating diffracted light, condensing means for converging the diffracted light from the diffracting means, and concentrating light generated by the diffracting means. The interference fringes generated by the interference between the diffracted light focused by the means are projected, and the change in the interference fringes accompanying the movement of the measured object in the optical axis direction of the light incident on the measured object is read. Since it has a light receiving means for detecting the displacement of the measured object in the optical axis direction, the displacement of the measured object (for example, the objective lens 4
(For example, the amount of movement of the measured object in the optical axis direction of
It is possible to use light receiving means with a small area. Therefore, it is possible to accurately detect the displacement of the object to be measured with a light receiving element using ordinary light receiving element material without using expensive high-speed compatible light receiving element material. You can

According to the invention described in claim 4, in the optical pickup described in claim 3, the luminous flux diameter reducing means diffracts a part of the reflected light into parallel light and transmits the other part. Since a grating lens that converts the light into focused light is used, a focus error signal and / or a tracking error signal is detected based on the parallel light from the light beam diameter reducing means, and recording is performed based on the focused light from the light beam diameter reducing means. The signal can be detected.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a displacement measuring device.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining generation of interference fringes.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining generation of interference fringes.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining generation of interference fringes.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a method of measuring a minute displacement.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a method of measuring a minute displacement.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a method of measuring a minute displacement.

8A and 8B are views for explaining detection of a defocus amount of an object to be measured by the displacement measuring device of FIG.

9A and 9B are views for explaining detection of a defocus amount of an object to be measured by the displacement measuring device of FIG.

10 is a diagram for explaining detection of a defocus amount of the object to be measured by the displacement measuring device of FIG.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a light amount distribution of interference light depending on a defocus amount.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a change in output difference between two light receiving elements according to a change in defocus amount.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a configuration example of an optical pickup.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a light receiving unit.

FIG. 15 is a configuration diagram of an embodiment of a displacement measuring device according to the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a diagram for explaining the Shulling interferometry.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a light receiving unit.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing another configuration example of the displacement measuring device according to the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing another configuration example of the displacement measuring device according to the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing another configuration example of the displacement measuring device according to the present invention.

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing another configuration example of the displacement measuring device according to the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a diagram showing another configuration example of the displacement measuring device according to the present invention.

FIG. 23 is a diagram showing another configuration example of the displacement measuring device according to the present invention.

24 is a diagram showing a phase state of diffracted lights in the configuration of FIG. 23.

FIG. 25 is a diagram showing another configuration example of the displacement measuring device according to the present invention.

FIG. 26 is a plan view of a grating lens.

FIG. 27 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a light receiving unit.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Light source 2 Collimator lens 3 Beam splitter 4 Objective lens 5 Object to be measured 6 Diffraction means 7 Light receiving means 10 Luminous flux diameter reducing means 30 Condensing means 35 Grating lens

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An object to be measured is focused and irradiated with light from a light source,
Based on the reflected light from the object to be measured, in a displacement measuring device for measuring the displacement of the object to be measured, when the reflected light from the object to be measured is incident, the luminous flux diameter of the reflected light is reduced, and A light flux diameter reducing means for making at least a part of the light into a parallel light, and a diffracting means for generating a diffracted light by incidence of light whose light diameter is reduced by the light flux diameter reducing means and at least a part of which is a parallel light. , An interference fringe produced by the interference between the diffracted light generated by the diffracting means is projected, and the interference fringe of the interference fringe accompanying the movement of the DUT in the optical axis direction of the light incident on the DUT is projected. A displacement measuring device, comprising: a light receiving unit that reads a change and detects a displacement of the object to be measured in the optical axis direction. 2. An object to be measured is condensed and irradiated with light from a light source,
In a displacement measuring device that measures the displacement of an object to be measured based on the reflected light from the object to be measured, a diffracting means for causing the reflected light from the object to be incident as parallel light to generate diffracted light, and a diffractive means. Focusing means for focusing the diffracted light from
The interference fringes generated by the interference between the diffracted light generated by the diffracting means and focused by the converging means are projected, and the light incident on the measured object is moved along the optical axis of the measured object. A displacement measuring device comprising: a light receiving unit that reads a change in the interference fringes and detects a displacement of the object to be measured in the optical axis direction. 3. In an optical pickup of an optical recording / reproducing apparatus for condensing and irradiating light from a light source onto a recording carrier to record or reproduce information, when reflected light from the recording carrier is incident, A light beam diameter reducing means for reducing the light beam diameter and making at least a part of the light beam into a parallel light, and a light beam having a light beam diameter reduced by the light beam diameter reducing means and at least a part of which is a parallel light beam are incident. , A diffraction means for generating diffracted light and an interference fringe generated by interference between the diffracted light generated by the diffractive means are projected, and the movement of the record carrier in the optical axis direction of light incident on the record carrier is projected. An optical pickup comprising: a light receiving unit that reads the accompanying change in the interference fringes and detects the defocus amount of the record carrier in the optical axis direction. 4. The optical pickup according to claim 3, wherein the luminous flux diameter reducing means diffracts a part of the reflected light into parallel light and transmits the other part into focused light. Is used, and the light receiving means is
Detecting a focus error signal and / or a track error signal based on the parallel light from the luminous flux diameter reducing means,
An optical pickup, wherein a recording signal is detected based on the focused light from the luminous flux diameter reducing means. 5. An optical pickup of an optical recording / reproducing apparatus for recording / reproducing information by converging and irradiating light from a light source onto a record carrier, and diffractive means for generating reflected light from reflected light from the record carrier. And an interference fringe generated by interference between the condensing means for converging the diffracted light from the diffracting means and the diffracted light generated by the diffracting means and converged by the converging means are projected and incident on the record carrier. A light receiving unit for reading a change in the interference fringes accompanying the movement of the record carrier in the optical axis direction of light and detecting a defocus amount of the record carrier in the optical axis direction. Characteristic optical pickup.