Patent Application
20050237902
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an optical disk apparatus which is capable of writing data to an optical disk and/or reading data from an optical disk. The present invention also relates to an optical element which is suitable for use in such an optical disk apparatus, and a method for producing the same.
2. Description of the Related Art
An optical disk apparatus comprises a motor for rotating an optical disk, an optical pickup which irradiates the optical disk with a light beam, a signal processing section for processing recording or reproduced data, and like elements. Among others, the optical pickup, which is a most vital component to enhanced storage density, comprises a light source for generating a light beam, lenses for converging the light beam onto the recording surface of the optical disk, and a photodetector for detecting light which has been reflected from the optical disk (reproduction light or signal light) and converting the detected light into an electrical signal.
A known optical disk apparatus is disclosed in, for example, Japanese laid-open patent publication No. 2000-132848.
Hereinafter, referring to
As shown in
The surface of the photodetection substrate 9 includes a region (detection surface 9a) in which a plurality of photosensitive portions such as photodiodes are formed, and a region in which the light source 1 is mounted. As shown in
Laser light which has been emitted from the light source 1 is reflected from the reflection mirror 10 on the photodetection substrate 9, and thereafter collimated into parallel light by the collimating lens 4. The parallel light is transmitted through the polarization hologram substrate 2 in the form of P-polarized light. The polarization hologram substrate 2 is characterized so that it does not diffract P-polarized light, but diffracts S-polarized light. In the case where the incident light is S-polarized light, the polarization hologram substrate 2 has a diffraction efficiency of about 0% for the 0th order light, and about 41% for the ±1st order light, for example.
The light transmitted through the polarization hologram substrate 2 is converted by a ¼ wavelength plate 3′ from linearly polarized light (P-polarized light) into circularly polarized light. The circularly polarized light is converged by the objective lens 5 onto a signal surface 6a of the optical disk substrate 6. The ¼ wavelength plate 3′, which is constructed on the same substrate as the hologram surface 2a, moves integrally with the objective lens 6.
The light (signal light) which has been reflected from the signal surface 6a of the optical disk substrate 6 propagates in the opposite direction of the forward path. This light (signal light) travels through the objective lens 5 and enters the ¼ wavelength plate 3′. The light transmitted through the ¼ wavelength plate 3′ is converted from circularly polarized light into linearly polarized light (S-polarized light). The S-polarized light enters the hologram surface 2a of the polarization hologram substrate 2 so as to be diffracted. Through this diffraction, 1st order diffracted light 8 and −1st order diffracted light 8′ are formed with respect to the optical axis 7 as an axis of symmetry. The diffracted light 8 and 8′ is each converged on the detection surface 9a on the detector 9 via the collimating lens 4. The detection surface 9a is located substantially at the focal plane of the collimating lens 4 (i.e., an imaginary emission point on the light source 1).
Generally-used optical disk systems are designed on the premise that the optical disk substrate 6 does not have any birefringence. In reality, however, there are some low-quality optical disk substrates 6 which do suffer from a large birefringence, thus inviting the following problems.
Assuming that the laser light which is emitted from the light source 1 has a wavelength of λ, the birefringence of the optical disk substrate 6 may cause a birefringent phase difference (retardation: phase delay) exceeding λ/2, over the course of the back and forth trips of light. When converted into an angle, λ/2 equals 180°. Hereinafter, any birefringent phase difference will be expressed in terms of angle.
Assuming that the birefringent phase difference ascribable to the optical disk substrate 6 is 180° over the course of the back and forth trips of light, and when taken together with the birefringent phase difference (180°) of the ¼ wavelength plate 3′ over the course of the back and forth trips of light, there is a birefringent phase difference of 360°. As a result, the signal light entering the polarization hologram substrate 2 is P-polarized, instead of being S-polarized. Since the polarization hologram substrate 2 is characterized so as not to diffract P-polarized light, the light in the return path, which is P-polarized, is not diffracted. This means that the light amounts of the diffracted light 8 and 8′ shown in
In order to overcome the problems described above, preferred embodiments of the present invention provide an optical disk apparatus which detects a light amount greater than zero even when used in conjunction with an optical disk substrate having a large birefringence, so that it is possible to properly read a signal without errors and properly perform optical disk controls.
An optical disk apparatus according to the present invention comprises: a light source for emitting light; an objective lens for converging the light onto a signal surface of an optical disk; a polarized beam diffraction element for diffracting the light reflected from the optical disk; a photodetector for detecting the light diffracted from the polarized beam diffraction element; and a wavelength plate disposed between the optical disk and the polarized beam diffraction element, wherein, the wavelength plate has a two-dimensional array of a plurality of birefringent regions including first and second regions, the first and second regions differing in birefringent phase difference and/or optic axes from each other, and the plurality of birefringent regions including the first and second regions cause the light to have different polarization states.
In a preferred embodiment, optic axes of the first and second regions of the wavelength plate are oriented in different directions from each other.
In a preferred embodiment, the first region has a birefringent phase difference of λ/4+α and the second region has a birefringent phase difference of λ/4−α, where λ is a wavelength of the light emitted from the light source.
In a preferred embodiment, the first region has a birefringent phase difference of λ/4+α and the second region has a birefringent phase difference of −3λ/4−α, where λ is a wavelength of the light emitted from the light source.
In a preferred embodiment, α is in a range of −λ/8<α<λ/8.
In a preferred embodiment, a plurality of said first regions and a plurality of said second regions alternate on the wavelength plate, each first region and each second region having a strip shape.
In a preferred embodiment, the light source is capable of emitting first laser light of a wavelength λ1 and second laser light of a wavelength λ2 (where λ2>λ1).
An optical disk apparatus according to the present invention comprises: a light source for emitting light of a wavelength λ1 and light of a wavelength λ2 (where λ1≠λ2); an objective lens for converging the light onto a signal surface of an optical disk; a polarized beam diffraction element for diffracting the light reflected from the optical disk; a photodetector for detecting the light diffracted from the polarized beam diffraction element; and a wavelength plate disposed between the optical disk and the polarized beam diffraction element, wherein, an imaginary line L on the beam splitter is defined, the line L being perpendicular to a radial direction of the optical disk, and intersecting an optical axis of the objective lens; the beam splitter at least has a region a1, a region a2, a region a3, a region A1, a region A2, and a region A3, such that the region a1, the region a2, and the region a3 are on a same side of the line L on the beam splitter, and the region A1, the region A2, and the region A3 are substantially symmetrical regions to the region a1, the region a2, and the region a3, respectively, with respect to the line L; the photodetector at least has two regions b and B; light of the wavelength λ1 entering the region a3, the region a1, and the region A2 of the beam splitter produces 1st order diffracted light which is projected onto the region b of the photodetector, and light of the wavelength λ1 entering the region A3, the region A1, and the region a2 of the beam splitter produces 1st order diffracted light which is projected onto the region B of the photodetector; light of the wavelength λ2 entering the region a3 of the beam splitter produces 1st order diffracted light which is projected onto the region B of the photodetector, and light of the wavelength λ2 entering the region A3 of the beam splitter produces 1st order diffracted light which is projected onto the region b of the photodetector; and based on a difference between a detection signal from the region b and a detection signal from the region B, the optical disk apparatus generates a tracking error signal for the optical disk or a correction signal for correcting the tracking error signal.
In a preferred embodiment, the photodetector further has at least two regions b′ and B′; light from a first light source or a second light source entering the region a3, the region a1, and the region a2 of the beam splitter produces −1st order diffracted light which is projected onto the region b′ of the photodetector, and light from the first light source or the second light source entering the region A3, the region A1, and the region A2 of the beam splitter produces −1st order diffracted light which is projected onto the region B′ of the photodetector; and the optical disk apparatus generates a difference signal based on a difference between a detection signal from the region b′ and a detection signal from the region B′, and generates a tracking error signal for the optical disk by adding to the difference signal a value obtained by multiplying the correction signal by an arbitrary coefficient.
Alternatively, an optical disk apparatus according to the present invention comprises: a light source for emitting light of a wavelength λ1 and light of a wavelength λ2 (where λ1≠λ2); an objective lens for converging the light onto a signal surface of an optical disk; a polarized beam diffraction element for diffracting the light reflected from the optical disk; a photodetector for detecting the light diffracted from the polarized beam diffraction element; and a wavelength plate disposed between the optical disk and the polarized beam diffraction element, wherein, an imaginary line L on the beam splitter is defined, the line L being perpendicular to a radial direction of the optical disk, and intersecting an optical axis of the objective lens; the beam splitter at least has eight regions a1, a2, a3, A1, A2, A3, and A4 such that the region a1, the region a2, the region a3, and the region a4 are on a same side of the line L on the beam splitter, and the region A1, the region A2, the region A3, and the region A4 are substantially symmetrical regions to the region a1, the region a2, the region a3, and the region a4, respectively, with respect to the line L; the photodetector at least has six regions b, B, b′, B′, b″, and B″; light of the wavelength λ1 entering the region A2 and the region al of the beam splitter produces −1st order diffracted light which is projected onto the region b of the photodetector, and light of the wavelength λ1 entering the region a2 and the region A1 of the beam splitter produces −1st order diffracted light which is projected onto the region B of the photodetector, the optical disk apparatus generating a tracking error signal for the optical disk based on a difference between a detection signal from the region b and a detection signal from the region B; light of the wavelength λ2 entering the region a3 and the region a4 of the beam splitter produces −1st order diffracted light which is projected onto the region b′ of the photodetector, and light of the wavelength λ2 entering the region A3 and the region A4 of the beam splitter produces −1st order diffracted light which is projected onto the region B′ of the photodetector, the optical disk apparatus generating a difference signal based on a difference between a detection signal from the region b′ and a detection signal from the region B′; and light of the wavelength λ2 entering the region a3 further produces 1st order diffracted light which is projected onto the region b″ of the photodetector, and light of the wavelength λ2 entering the region A3 further produces 1st order diffracted light which is projected onto the region B″ of the photodetector, the optical disk apparatus generating a correction signal based on a difference between a detection signal from the region b″ and a detection signal from the region B″; the optical disk apparatus generates a tracking error signal for the optical disk by adding to the difference signal a value obtained by multiplying the correction signal by an arbitrary coefficient.
An optical element according to the present invention comprises a two-dimensional array of a plurality of birefringent regions including first and second regions, the first and second regions differing in birefringent phase difference and/or optic axes from each other, wherein the plurality of birefringent regions including the first and second regions cause the light to have different polarization states.
In a preferred embodiment, optic axes of the first and second regions are parallel to each other, and the first and second regions have different retardations from each other.
In a preferred embodiment, optic axes of the first and second regions are oriented in different directions from each other.
In a preferred embodiment, a plurality of said first regions and a plurality of said second regions alternate within a plane perpendicular to an optical axis.
In a preferred embodiment, each of the first and second regions has a shape selected from the group consisting of: a strip shape, a checker shape, and an annular shape.
In a preferred embodiment, the optical element further comprises a polarization filter.
In a preferred embodiment, the polarization filter is a polarization hologram.
In a preferred embodiment, the optic axis of the first region is at 45°+δ±α(−10°<δ<10, 0°<α≦15°) with respect to a polarization direction of incident light; and the optic axis of the second region is at 45°+δ−α with respect to a polarization direction of incident light.
In a preferred embodiment, with respect to light of at least one wavelength among light of a plurality of wavelengths traveling back and forth through the optical element, an average retardation Δ of the plurality of birefringent regions is set equal to (2m+1)π/2 (where m is an integer).
In a preferred embodiment, the optical element is a broadband wavelength plate having a same retardation Δ for light of different wavelengths.
In a preferred embodiment, optic axes of some of the plurality of birefringent regions are at 45° with respect to a polarization direction of incident light.
An optical pickup according to the present invention comprises: a light source for emitting two or more kinds of laser light of different wavelengths; a lens for converging the light emitted from the light source onto an optical information medium; and a photodetector for receiving light reflected from the optical information medium, wherein the optical pickup further comprises the optical element according to the present invention, the optical element being disposed in a region common to an optical path from the light source to the optical information medium and an optical path from the optical information medium to the photodetector.
In a preferred embodiment, the light source and the photodetector are integrally formed.
A method according to the present invention for producing an optical element having a two-dimensional array of a plurality of birefringent regions including first and second regions, the first and second regions differing in birefringent phase difference and/or optic axes from each other, the plurality of birefringent regions including the first and second regions causing the light to have different polarization states, comprises the steps of: (a) forming on a substrate an alignment film including a plurality of regions having different alignment directions from one another; and (b) forming a liquid crystal layer on the alignment film and controlling the alignment direction of each region of the liquid crystal layer.
In a preferred embodiment, the step (a) comprises the substeps of: (a1) depositing a photo-alignable film on the substrate; (a2) subjecting a portion of the photo-alignable film to an exposure with ultraviolet light to form a first aligning region having a first alignment direction; and (a3) subjecting another portion of the alignment film to an exposure with ultraviolet light to form a second aligning region having a second alignment direction, the second alignment direction being different from the first alignment direction.
In a preferred embodiment, the step (b) comprises the substeps of: (b1) forming on the alignment film a liquid crystal layer containing a UV-curing material, and controlling the alignment directions within the liquid crystal layer in accordance with first and second alignment directions; and (b2) curing the liquid crystal layer by irradiating the liquid crystal layer with ultraviolet light.
According to the present invention, regardless of the exact birefringence of the optical disk substrate, the birefringent phase difference of returned light has a distribution (fluctuations). Therefore, a more than zero detected light amount is obtained, so that signal reading errors or control failure can be prevented. In the case of adopting a structure where two light sources are comprised, it is possible to provide countermeasures against birefringence in accordance with each light source, so that control signals and a reproduction signal for various kinds of optical disks can be detected with the same photodetector.
Furthermore, there is provided an optical disk apparatus which enables tracking control free of off-tracking through calculations of detection signals even in the following cases: (1) where the objective lens or the polarized beam diffraction element has an eccentricity along a radial direction of the optical disk; (2) where the optical disk substrate is tilted; and (3) where a light spot rests on a border between a recorded region and an unrecorded region on the optical disk and is susceptible to the influence from an adjoining track.
Other features, elements, processes, steps, characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the present invention with reference to the attached drawings.
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
(Embodiment 1)
With reference to
First,
As shown in
The surface of the photodetection substrate 9 includes a region (detection surface 9a) in which a plurality of photosensitive portions such as photodiodes are formed, and a region in which the light source 1 is mounted. As shown in
Laser light which has been emitted from the light source 1 is reflected from the reflection mirror 10 on the photodetection substrate 9, and thereafter collimated into parallel light by the collimating lens 4. The parallel light is transmitted through the polarization hologram substrate 2 in the form of P-polarized light. The polarization hologram substrate 2 is characterized so that it does not diffract P-polarized light, but diffracts S-polarized light. In the case where the incident light is S-polarized light, the polarization hologram substrate 2 has a diffraction efficiency of about 0% for the 0th order light, and about 41% for the ±1st order light, for example.
The light which has been transmitted through the polarization hologram substrate 2 is converted by the distributed-type wavelength plate 3 into light comprising a spatial mixture of two types of polarization states (which hereinafter may be referred to as “mixed-polarized light”). The detailed structure and functions of the distributed-type wavelength plate 3 will be described later. The mixed-polarized light is converged by the objective lens 5 onto a signal surface 6a of the optical disk substrate 6.
The light (signal light) which has been reflected from the signal surface 6a of the optical disk substrate 6 propagates in the opposite direction of the forward path. This light (signal light) travels through the objective lens 5 and enters the distributed-type wavelength plate 3. The light transmitted through the distributed-type wavelength plate 3 enters the hologram surface 2a of the polarization hologram substrate 2 so as to be diffracted. Through this diffraction, 1st order diffracted light 8 and −1st order diffracted light 8′ are formed with respect to the optical axis 7 as an axis of symmetry. The diffracted light 8 and 8′ is each converged on the detection surface 9a on the detector 9 via the collimating lens 4. The detection surface 9a is located substantially at the focal plane of the collimating lens 4 (i.e., an imaginary emission point on the light source 1).
Referring to
Next, by referring to
As shown in
The 1st order diffracted light which has been diffracted at the regions 22B and 22F located within the second quadrant is respectively converged at light spots 82BS and 82FS, each of which lies astride the border between the detection cells F1b and F2b. The −1st order diffracted light is converged at light spots 82BS′ and 82FS′, which fit within the detection cell 7T2.
The 1st order diffracted light which has been diffracted at the regions 23B and 23F located within the third quadrant is respectively converged at light spots 83BS and 83FS, each of which lies astride the border between the detection cells F1d and F2d. The −1st order diffracted light is converged at light spots 83BS′ and 83FS′, which fit within the detection cell 7T3.
The 1st order diffracted light which has been diffracted at the regions 24B and 24F located within the fourth quadrant is respectively converged at light spots 84BS and 84FS, each of which lies astride the border between the detection cells F2d and F1e. The −1st order diffracted light is converged at light spots 84BS′ and 84FS′, which fit within the detection cell 7T4.
Some of the detection cells are electrically interconnected so that the following six types of signals F1, F2, T1, T2, T3, and T4 are output from the photodetector 9:
It is assumed that the y axis and the Y axis shown in
FE=F1−F2 (eq. 1)
TE=T1+T2−T3−T4 (eq. 2)
RF=F1+F2+T1+T2+T3+T4 (eq. 3)
Next, with reference to
The distributed-type wavelength plate 3 is divided into a plurality of strip regions 3A and 3B, each of which has a longitudinal axis along the disk radial direction 6R. Each strip region 3A is responsible for a birefringent phase difference of 90+α°, whereas each strip region 3B is responsible for a birefringent phase difference of 90−α°. The fast axis is oriented in a 45° direction with respect to the optical disk radial direction 6R. The strip regions 3A and the strip regions 3B alternate with each other.
As shown in
The distributed-type wavelength plate 3 as above can be produced in the following manner, for example.
First, the birefringent layer 3c is deposited so as to have a uniform thickness on the polarization hologram substrate 2. After depositing the birefringent layer 3a on the birefringent layer 3, the birefringent layer 3a is patterned by photolithography and etching techniques. Through this patterning, those portions of the birefringent layer 3a in which the strip regions 3B shown in
In the present embodiment, the birefringent layer 3c is responsible for a birefringent phase difference of 90−α°, whereas each birefringent layer 3a is responsible for a birefringent phase difference of 2α°. Both fast axes are tilted at 45° with respect to the optical disk radial direction 6R. The distributed-type wavelength plate 3 may further comprise another transparent layer covering the birefringent layers 3a and the transparent layers 3b; and the further transparent layer may be a transparent substrate. Moreover, the birefringent layers 3a may be located below the birefringent layer 3c instead.
The region marked by the circular broken line 10 in
As shown in
Next, referring to
For simplicity,
Out of incident light 10 which is transmitted through the distributed-type wavelength plate 3, light 10A transmitted through the right region of the line L has a birefringent phase difference of 90+α°. On the other hand, light 10B transmitted through the left region of the line L has a birefringent phase difference of 90−α°.
Since the incident light 80 is reflected light from the signal surface 6a of the optical disk substrate 6, its light distribution is inverted. In other words, out of the incident light 80 entering the distributed-type wavelength plate 3, light 80A transmitted through the right region of the line L has a birefringent phase difference of 90−α°. On the other hand, light 80B transmitted through the left region of the line L has a birefringent phase difference of 90+α°. Note that it is herein assumed that the optical disk substrate 6 does not cause any change in the birefringent phase difference.
Due to such a pit pattern, the reflected light from the signal surface 6a is diffracted along the disk rotation direction 6T, so that 1st order diffracted light 81A and −1st order diffracted light 81B are produced. The birefringent phase differences of these rays of diffracted light correspond to those of the incident light 80A and 80B in
Therefore, after the 1st order diffracted light 81A and the −1st order diffracted light 81B have been transmitted through the distributed-type wavelength plate 3, the diffracted light 81A has a birefringent phase difference of 180−2α°, whereas the diffracted light 80B has a birefringent phase difference of 180+2α°. Again, it is assumed herein that the optical disk substrate 6 does not cause any change in the birefringent phase difference.
Next, a case will be considered where the optical disk substrate 6 introduces a birefringent phase difference during transmission of light therethrough.
If the birefringent phase difference ascribable to the optical disk substrate 6 is −180° over the course of the back and forth trips of light, the diffracted light 81A will have a birefringent phase difference of −2α°, whereas the light 80B will have a birefringent phase difference of +2α°. Regardless of the exact birefringence of the optical disk substrate 6, the birefringent phase differences of the diffracted light 81A and the diffracted light 80B will not be simultaneously zero. Therefore, the returned light (signal light) entering the polarization hologram substrate 2 will always have some polarized component to be diffracted at the hologram surface 2a.
Since pits, embossed portions, signal marks, and the like exist on the signal surface 6a of the optical disk substrate 6, the reflected light from the signal surface 6a will undergo a more complicated diffraction. However, regardless of the exact birefringence of the optical disk substrate 6, the birefringent phase difference of the returned light (signal light) will always have a spatial distribution. Such a distribution can be obtained as long as the distributed-type wavelength plate 3 includes a two-dimensional array of plural birefringent regions including first and second regions which impart different birefringent phase differences to the same incident linearly polarized light. When light is transmitted through such plural birefringent regions, different phase differences occur depending on the incident position of light. The number and shapes of birefringent regions to be formed in the distributed-type wavelength plate 3 can be arbitrary.
With respect to the distributed-type wavelength plate 3 having the strip regions 3A and 3B shown in
With respect to a random disk signal from a CD-ROM, the ratio of detected light amounts was 15%, in the case where α=20°, NA=0.5, λ=790 nm. In the case where α=36°, the ratio of detected light amounts was 60%. In either case, the calculation showed no substantial deterioration in the optical jitter.
Thus, according to the present embodiment, a more than zero detected light amount is obtained even with respect to an optical disk substrate 6 having a large birefringence, so that signal reading errors or control failure as in the conventional example will not occur.
Although the present embodiment illustrates an example where the distributed-type wavelength plate 3 is divided into strip-like regions, any other manner of division may be adopted as long as two kinds of birefringent phase differences are produced. Similar effects can be obtained also in the case where the division is made so as to produce two or more kinds of birefringent phase differences. The same is also true to each of the following embodiments.
(Embodiment 2)
Next, with reference to
In the present embodiment, there are two emission points in the light source 1. Moreover, the pattern of the polarization hologram surface 2a, the detection pattern on the photodetection surface 9a, and the light distribution thereupon are different from those in Embodiment 1. Otherwise, the optical disk apparatus of the present embodiment is identical in construction to the optical disk apparatus of Embodiment 1. Therefore, any descriptions which would be similar to those in Embodiment 1 will be omitted. Those components which have identical counterparts in the optical disk apparatus of Embodiment 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals as those used therein.
The light source 1 may include two different types of semiconductor laser chips, or include a single semiconductor laser chip which is capable of emitting laser light of different wavelengths. Thus, the light source 1 can output laser light of an appropriate wavelength in accordance with the type of optical disk which is mounted on the optical disk apparatus.
As shown in
The light which has been transmitted through the polarization hologram substrate 2 is converted by the distributed-type wavelength plate 3 into light comprising a spatial mixture of two types of polarization states (mixed-polarized light). The detailed structure and functions of the distributed-type wavelength plate 3 will be described later. The mixed-polarized light is converged by the objective lens 5 onto a signal surface 6a of the first optical disk substrate 6.
The light (signal light) which has been reflected from the signal surface 6a of the first optical disk substrate 6 propagates in the opposite direction of the forward path. This light (signal light) travels through the objective lens 5 and enters the distributed-type wavelength plate 3. The light transmitted through the distributed-type wavelength plate 3 enters the hologram surface 2a of the polarization hologram substrate 2 so as to be diffracted. Through this diffraction, 1st order diffracted light 8 and −1st order diffracted light 8′ are formed with respect to the optical axis 7 as an axis of symmetry. The diffracted light 8 and 8′ is each converged on the detection surface 9a on the detector 9 via the collimating lens 4. The detection surface 9a is located substantially at the focal plane of the collimating lens 4 (i.e., an imaginary emission point on the light source 1).
The light source 1 in the present embodiment is also capable of emitting light of a different wavelength from that of the first laser light. In the present embodiment, second laser light (wavelength λ2, where λ2>λ1) is emitted from the second emission point 1a′ on the light source 1 in the case where data is to be recorded on or read from the second optical disk substrate 6′. The second laser light which has been emitted from the second emission point 1a′ is reflected from the reflection mirror 10, and thereafter collimated into parallel light by the collimating lens 4. The parallel light is transmitted through the polarization hologram substrate 2 in the form of P-polarized light. The polarization hologram substrate 2 is characterized so that it does not diffract P-polarized light, but diffracts S-polarized light.
The light which has been transmitted through the polarization hologram substrate 2 is converted by the distributed-type wavelength plate 3 into light comprising a spatial mixture of two types of polarization states (mixed-polarized light). The detailed structure and functions of the distributed-type wavelength plate 3 will be described later. The mixed-polarized light is converged by the objective lens 5 onto a signal surface 6a′ of the second optical disk substrate 6′.
The light (signal light) which has been reflected from the signal surface 6a′ of the second optical disk substrate 6′ propagates in the opposite direction of the forward path. This light (signal light) travels through the objective lens 5 and enters the distributed-type wavelength plate 3. The light transmitted through the distributed-type wavelength plate 3 enters the hologram surface 2a of the polarization hologram substrate 2 so as to be diffracted. Through this diffraction, 1st order diffracted light 8 and −1st order diffracted light 8′ are formed with respect to the optical axis 7 as an axis of symmetry. Since the second laser light has the wavelength of λ2, which is greater than the wavelength λ1 of the first laser light, the diffraction efficiency for the ±1st order light is about 10% lower than that for the wavelength λ1. The diffracted light 8 and 8′ is each converged on the detection surface 9a on the detector 9 via the collimating lens 4.
As shown in
As shown in
Light which is emitted from the first emission point 1a of the light source 1 travels along a direction parallel to the x axis, within a plane which contains the x axis and is perpendicular to the plane of
Out of the light 80 entering the hologram surface 2a, 1st order diffracted light which has been diffracted at the strip regions 21B and 21F located in the first quadrant is respectively converged at light spots 81BS and 81FS, each of which lies astride the border between the detection cells F2a and F1d. On the other hand, −1st order diffracted light is converged at light spots 81BS′ and 81FS′, which fit within the detection cell 7T1.
Moreover, 1st order diffracted light which has been diffracted at the strip regions 22B and 22F located in the second quadrant is respectively converged at light spots 82BS and 82FS, each of which lies astride the border between the detection cells F1c and F2d. On the other hand, −1st order diffracted′ light is converged at light spots 82BS′ and 82FS′, which fit within the detection cell 7T2.
Moreover, 1st order diffracted light which has been diffracted at the strip regions 23B and 23F located in the third quadrant is respectively converged at light spots 83BS and 83FS, each of which lies astride the border between the detection cells F1a and F2b. On the other hand, −1st order diffracted light is converged at light spots 83BS′ and 83FS′, which fit within the detection cell 7T3.
Moreover, 1st order diffracted light which has been diffracted at the strip regions 24B and 24F located in the fourth quadrant is respectively converged at light spots 84BS and 84FS, each of which lies astride the border between the detection cells F2a and F1b. On the other hand, −1st order diffracted light is converged at light spots 84BS′ and 84FS′, which fit within the detection cell 7T4.
Some of the detection cells are electrically interconnected so that signals F1, F2, T1, T2, T3, and T4 are obtained from the following equations.
0127 In
In the present embodiment, with respect to light of the wavelength λ1, the distributed-type wavelength plate 3 imparts a birefringent phase difference of 90+α° in the strip regions 3A (
An alternative structure may be one where, with respect to the wavelength λ1, the distributed-type wavelength plate 3 imparts a birefringent phase difference of 90+α° in the strip regions 3A, and imparts a birefringent phase difference of −270−α° in the strip regions 3B. Such a structure may be realized in the case where, in
(Embodiment 3)
Next, with reference to
As shown in
Although not explicitly shown in
Out of the light (incident light 80) entering the hologram surface 2a, +1st order diffracted light which has been diffracted at the strip regions 21aB and 21aF in the region 21a and the strip regions 21bB and 21bF in the region 21b located in the first quadrant is respectively converged at light spots 81aBS and 81aFS and light spots 81bBS and 81bFS, each of which lies astride the border between the detection cells F2c and F1d. On the other hand, −1st order diffracted light is converged at light spots 81aBS′ and 81aFS′ and light spots 81bBS′ and 81bFS′, which fit within the detection cell 7T1.
Moreover, +1st order diffracted light which has been diffracted at the strip regions 22aB and 22aF in the region 22a located in the second quadrant is respectively converged at light spots 82aBS and 82aFS, each of which lies astride the border between the detection cells F1a and F2b. On the other hand, −1st order diffracted light is converged at light spots 82aBS′ and 82aFS′, which fit within the detection cell 7T3. Furthermore, +1st order diffracted light which has been diffracted at the strip regions 22bB and 22bF in the region 22b located in the second quadrant is respectively converged at light spots 82bBS and 82bFS, each of which lies astride the border between the detection cells F1c and F2d. On the other hand, −1st order diffracted light is converged at light spots 82bBS′ and 82bFS′, which fit within the detection cell 7T2.
Moreover, +1st order diffracted light which has been diffracted at the strip regions 23aB and 23aF in the region 23a located in the third quadrant is respectively converged at light spots 83aBS and 83aFS, each of which lies astride the border between the detection cells F1c and F2d. On the other hand, −1st order diffracted light is converged at light spots 83aBS′ and 83aFS′, which fit within the detection cell 7T2. Furthermore, +1st order diffracted light which has been diffracted at the strip regions 23bB and 23bF in the region 23b located in the third quadrant is respectively converged at light spots 83bBS and 83bFS, each of which lies astride the border between the detection cells F1a and F2b. On the other hand, −1st order diffracted light is converged at light spots 83bBS′ and 83bFS′, which fit within the detection cell 7T3.
Moreover, 1st order diffracted light which has been diffracted at the strip regions 24aB and 24aF in the region 24a and the strip regions 24bB and 24bF in the region 24b located in the fourth quadrant is respectively converged at light spots 84aBS and 84aFS and light spots 84bBS and 84bFS, each of which lies astride the border between the detection cells F2a and F1b. On the other hand, −1st order diffracted light is converged at light spots 84aBS′ and 84aFS′ and light spots 84bBS′ and 84bFS′, which fit within the detection cell 7T4.
Some of the detection cells are electrically interconnected so that eight signals F1, F2, T1, T2, T3, T4, T5, and T6 are obtained as follows.
In
The y axis shown in
FE=F1−F2 (eq. 4)
TE1=α(T1−T4)+β(T2−T3) (eq. 5)
TE2=(T1−T4)+γ(T5−T6) (eq. 6)
RF=T1+T2+T3+T4 (eq. 7)
For example, eq. 5 is used for an optical disk such as a DVD-RAM or a DVD-R/RW. In the case of an optical disk such as a DVD-RAM, a and β are prescribed so that a=1, β=0. In the case of an optical disk such as a DVD-R/RW, a and β are prescribed so that α=0, β=1.
On the other hand, eq. 6 is used for an optical disk such as a CD-R/RW. The signal (T1−T4) corresponds to the usual TE signal being detected through a semicircular aperture, and is identical in characteristics to the usual TE signal. The signal (T2−T3) is a TE signal detected with some of the regions (22a and 23a) in the aperture being swapped. Since the swapped regions (22a and 23a) will not contain any ±1st order diffracted light for a DVD-R/RW disk, no deterioration in the TE sensitivity for a DVD-R/RW disk will result. The swapping serves to cancel influences such as: the influence of the eccentricity of the objective lens along an optical disk radial direction; the influence of any tilt of the optical disk substrate 6; and the influence exerted when a light spot rests on a border between a recorded region and an unrecorded region on the optical disk signal surface 6a.
On the other hand, the signal (T5−T6) which is obtained in the case shown in
In the present embodiment, a distributed-type wavelength plate 3 which is similar to that of Embodiment 2 is used. Therefore, the counteracting effects against any birefringence of the optical disk substrate 6 are quite similar to those provided in Embodiment 2. Furthermore, by allowing the calculation result of eq. 5 or eq. 6 to be used as a tracking error signal, the present embodiment enables tracking control free of off-tracking, even in the case where the objective lens has an eccentricity along an optical disk radial direction, where the optical disk substrate 6 is tilted, or where a light spot rests on a border between a recorded region and an unrecorded region on the optical disk recording surface 6a and is susceptible to the influence from an adjoining track.
(Embodiment 4)
Next, with reference to
As shown in
Out of the light (incident light 80) entering the hologram surface 2a, +1st order diffracted light which has been diffracted at the strip regions 21aB and 21aF in the region 21a and the strip regions 21aB and 21aF in the region 21c located in the first quadrant is respectively converged at light spots 81aBS and 81aFS and light spots 81cBS and 81cFS, which fit within the detection cell 7T5. On the other hand, −1st order diffracted light is converged at light spots 81aBS′ and 81aFS′ and light spots 81cBS′ and 81cFS′, which fit within the detection cell 7T1. Moreover, +1st order diffracted light which has been diffracted at the strip regions 21bB and 21bF in the region 21b located in the first quadrant is respectively converged at light spots 81bBS and 81bFS, which fit within the detection cell 7T6. On the other hand, −1st order diffracted light which has been diffracted at the strip regions 21bB and 21bF in the region 21b located in the first quadrant is respectively converged at light spots 81bBS′ and 81bFS′, which fit within the detection cell 7T1.
Moreover, +1st order diffracted light which has been diffracted at the strip regions 22bB and 22bF in the region 22b located in the second quadrant is respectively converged at light spots 82bBS and 82bFS, each of which lies astride the border between the detection cells F1a and F2d. On the other hand, −1st order diffracted light is converged at light spots 82bBS′ and 82bFS′, which fit within the detection cell 7T2.
Moreover, +1st order diffracted light which has been diffracted at the strip regions 23bB and 23bF in the region 23b located in the third quadrant is respectively converged at light spots 83bBS and 83bFS, each of which lies astride the border between the detection cells F1a and F2b. On the other hand, −1st order diffracted light is converged at light spots 83bBS′ and 83bFS′, which fit within the detection cell 7T3.
Moreover, +1st order diffracted light which has been diffracted at the strip regions 24aB and 24aF in the region 24a and the strip regions 24cB and 24cF in the region 24c located in the fourth quadrant is respectively converged at light spots 84aBS and 84aFS and light spots 84cBS and 84cFS, which fit within the detection cell 7T6. On the other hand, −1st order diffracted light is converged at light spots 84aBS′ and 84aFS′ and light spots 84cBS′ and 84aFS′, which fit within the detection cell 7T4. Furthermore, +1st order diffracted light which has been diffracted at the strip regions 24bB and 24bF in the region 24b located in the fourth quadrant is respectively converged at light spots 84bBS and 84bFS, which fit within the detection cell 7T5. On the other hand, −1st order diffracted light is converged at light spots 84bBS′ and 84bFS′, which fit within the detection cell 7T4.
Some of the detection cells are electrically interconnected so that eight signals F1, F2, T1, T2, T3, T4, T5, and T6 are obtained as follows.
In
Assuming that the y axis shown in
TE1=α(T1+T2−T3−T4)+β(T5−T6) (eq. 8)
TE2=(T1+T2−T3−T4)+γ(T6−T5) (eq. 9)
For example, eq. 8 is used for an optical disk such as a DVD-RAM or a DVD-R/RW. In the case of an optical disk such as a DVD-RAM, a and β are prescribed so that a=1, β=0. In the case of an optical disk such as a DVD-R/RW, a and β are prescribed so that α=0, β=1. On the other hand, eq. 9 is used for an optical disk such as a CD-R/RW. The signal (T1+T2−T3−T4) corresponds to the usual TE signal.
The signal (T5−T6) in the case shown in
In the present embodiment, a distributed-type wavelength plate 3 which is similar to that of Embodiment 2 is used. Therefore, the counteracting effects against any birefringence of the optical disk substrate 6 are quite similar to those provided in Embodiment 2. Furthermore, by allowing the calculation result of eq. 8 or eq. 9 to be used as a tracking error signal, the present embodiment enables tracking control free of off-tracking, even in the case where the objective lens has an eccentricity along an optical disk radial direction, where the optical disk substrate 6 is tilted, or where a light spot rests on a border between a recorded region and an unrecorded region on the optical disk recording surface 6a and is susceptible to the influence from an adjoining track.
(Embodiment 5)
Referring to
Although
The optical path of light from the light source 101 to the optical information medium 107 or 108 and the optical path of light (signal light) being reflected from the optical information medium 107 or 108 and traveling toward the photodetector 110 are separated by a prism having a polarization beam splitter film 103 formed on its surface. Assuming that the linearly polarized light emitted from the light source 101 is P-polarized light, the polarization beam splitter film 103 is designed so as to allow P-polarized light to be transmitted therethrough. The P-polarized light having been transmitted through the polarization beam splitter film 103 is transmitted through the wavelength plate 105, and thereafter reflected from the optical information medium 107 or 108, so as to be transmitted back through the wavelength plate 105 in the opposite direction. The returned light (signal light), at entry into the polarization beam splitter film 103, is in such a polarization state that it contains a large amount of S-polarized light components having a polarization axis which is substantially perpendicular to the polarization axis of p-polarized light.
Since the polarization beam splitter film 103 reflects S-polarized light, most of the signal light is reflected toward the photodetector 110. This reflected light is diffracted by a hologram 109 so as to enter the photodetector 110.
As shown in
It is assumed that the linearly polarized light which enters the wavelength plate 105 from the light source side has a direction of polarization which coincides with the x axis. The angles θ1 and θ2 are 45°−α and 45°+α, respectively, with respect to the x axis direction, where 0<α≦15°. In accordance with the region splitting scheme of the present embodiment, a portion of the light from the light source 101 which travels through one of the regions A of the wavelength plate 105 is converged by the lens 106, and thereafter reflected from the optical information medium 11; then, the reflected light travels through the other region A which is at a symmetrical position with respect to the optical axis center. On the other hand, a portion of the light which travels through the one of the regions B is similarly reflected from the optical information medium 11 to travel through the other region B in the return path.
Assuming that the wavelength plate 105 has a birefringence (difference in refractive index) of Δn, a thickness of d, and a wavelength of λ, the wavelength plate 105 has a retardation of 2πΔnd/λ. If α=0, the regions A and the regions B of the wavelength plate 105 will have the same optical characteristics. In this case, if the retardation (2πΔnd/λ) of the wavelength plate 105 were set to a value which is equal to π/2, the wavelength plate 105 would serve the same function as that of a conventional ¼ wavelength plate. In other words, if linearly polarized light whose electric field vector direction is parallel to the x axis direction entered the wavelength plate 105, the linearly polarized light would be converted into circularly polarized light for output. When the light (circularly polarized light) reflected from the optical information medium 107 or 108 travels back through the wavelength plate 105 in the opposite direction, the reflected light is converted into linearly polarized light whose polarization direction coincides with the y axis direction. In the present embodiment, α is set to a value other than 0 to introduce a difference between the action of the regions A and the action of the regions B with respect to the same polarized light.
In the case where the optical information medium 107 or 108 does not have birefringence, the light (signal light) which is reflected from the optical information medium 107 or 108 is elliptically polarized light III as shown in
On the other hand, in the case where the optical information medium 107 or 108 has birefringence, polarized light III′ as shown in
By using such a device, it becomes possible to realize an optical system which provides a high playability for disks having birefringence, even when adopting a so-called “polarization optical system”, which is an optical system having a high transmission efficiency in the forward path and in the return path.
The reason why α is prescribed to be equal to or less than 15° in the present embodiment is that, if α were overly increased, light comprising a mixture of extremely different polarization states would be formed. Light comprising a mixture of extremely different polarization states is difficult to be converged by the lens 106 because merging two light components having greatly different polarization states results in poor coherence of light.
In the present embodiment, the directions of the two optic axes are shifted from each other by a symmetrical angle α, with respect to a direction which is at 45° from the polarization direction of incident light. In general, the birefringence (if any) of an optical disk substrate is stronger in one polarity than in the other. In this respect, an offset δ may be introduced to the center (reference) direction between the optic axes; that is, the optic axis of the regions A may be rotated by 45°+δ+α from the polarization direction of incident light, whereas the optic axis of the regions B may be rotated by 45°+δ−α from the polarization direction of incident light. In either type of regions, it is preferable to satisfy −15°≦δ≦15° in order to obtain polarization states which are as orthogonal as possible over the course of the back and forth trips of light.
Note that the number of optic axis directions assigned to the respective regions of the distribution wavelength plate is not limited to two, but may be three or more. The retardation does not need to be 90°, but may be an integer multiple of 90°, or a value obtained by adding an offset to an integer multiple of 90°. For example, if the retardation of the wavelength plate is prescribed to be a value which allows the wavelength plate to function as a ¼ wavelength plate with respect to light for DVDs (wavelength: 650 nm), then there will be a retardation which is about 650/800 of ¼ wavelength with respect to light for CDs (wavelength: 800 nm). However, by utilizing the wavelength dependence of the reflectance, etc., of the material used for the distribution wavelength plate, it becomes possible to allow the distribution wavelength plate to function substantially as a ¼ wavelength plate with respect to either type of light.
For example, assuming that the wavelength plate has an optical anisotropy of ΔAn1, with respect to light for DVDs (wavelength λ1) and an optical anisotropy of Δn2 with respect to light for CDs (wavelength λ2), the aforementioned condition can be satisfied by prescribing the optical parameters of the material of the wavelength plate (which may be a liquid crystal layer in the present embodiment) so that eq. 10 below holds true.
2πΔn1d/λ1=2πΔn2d/λ2=π/2 (eq. 10)
By prescribing such optical parameter values, the efficiency in the return path can be maximized with respect to either wavelength. Although the present embodiment illustrates an example where the light source 101 emits light for DVDs and light for CDs, the types of light to be emitted by the light source 101 are not limited thereto. Alternatively, a light source which is capable of emitting light of an even shorter wavelength, as used for Blu-ray discs, for example, may be employed.
(Embodiment 6)
Referring to
First,
A distribution wavelength plate 132 shown in
In the case where the distribution wavelength plate 105 shown in
However, in the case where a distribution wavelength plate as shown in
The region splitting scheme for the distribution wavelength plate is not limited to those illustrated in
A wavelength plate 133 shown in
The outer diameter (d2) of the annular region D9 corresponds to the aperture diameter of a lens having a high NA value, which is used for optical disks of higher recording density, e.g., DVDs. On the other hand, the inner diameter (d1) of the annular region D9 corresponds to the aperture diameter of a lens having a low NA value, which is used for optical disks of lower recording density, e.g., CDs. By employing the distributed-type wavelength plate 133 shown in
(Embodiment 7)
Referring to
The optical pickup shown in
This device comprises a light source 141 capable of producing a plurality of light beams of different wavelengths. The light source 141 typically includes a plurality of semiconductor laser chips, but may alternatively be composed of a single semiconductor laser chip which is arranged to emit light beams of different wavelengths.
The optical pickup comprises: objective lens 148 for converging a light beam and producing a light spot on a signal surface 139 or 149 of an optical disk; a polarization hologram 145 and a wavelength plate 146 disposed between the light source 101 and the objective lens 148; and a photodetector 143 for detecting the intensity of the light beam reflected from the optical disk.
The polarization hologram 145 is disposed in a portion common to an optical path from the light source 101 to the objective lens 148 and an optical path reflecting from the optical disk signal surface 139 or 149 to the photodetector 143.
The photodetector 143 in the present embodiment is formed on a semiconductor substrate such as a silicon chip. A laser chip which emits two kinds of laser light, i.e., wavelength λ1 and wavelength λ2, is mounted on the substrate. The photodetector 143 is composed of a plurality of photodiodes for converting light into electrical signals by photoelectric effects. As for the laser light to be radiated by the laser chip, the wavelength λ1 is about 650 nm, and the wavelength λ2 is about 800 nm, for example. The laser light of the wavelength λ1 may be used for DVDs, whereas the laser light of the wavelength λ2 may be used for CDs, for example.
The light of the wavelength λ1 which is emitted from the laser chip is collimated by a collimating lens 144, and thereafter transmitted through a polarization element 147. The polarization element 147 is an optical element which integrates the polarization hologram 145 and the wavelength plate 146. The polarization element 147 is attached to a supporting member 137 together with the objective lens 148, and is driven by an actuator 138 integrally with the objective lens 148. In order to facilitate the understanding of the function of the polarization element 147, a case where the wavelength plate 146 is a conventional wavelength plate which shows uniform retardation, rather than being a distribution wavelength plate, will be described first.
The light (wavelength λ1) which has been transmitted through the polarization element 147 is converged by the objective lens 148 onto the optical disk signal surface 149, and reflected therefrom. The reflected light again goes through the objective lens 148, and is diffracted by the polarization element 147. The light which has been diffracted by the polarization element 147 goes through the collimating lens 144 and enters the photodetector 143. The photodetector 143 generates electrical signals which are in accordance with changes in the light amount. These electrical signals are a focusing control signal, a tracking control signal, and an RF signal.
On the other hand, the light of the wavelength λ2 which has exited the laser chip is also collimated by the collimating lens 144, and is transmitted through the polarization element 147. The light which has been transmitted through the polarization element 147 is converged by the objective lens 148 onto the signal surface 139 of an optical disk having a different substrate thickness from that of the optical disk having the signal surface 149, and reflected from the signal surface 139. The reflected light again goes through the objective lens 148, and is diffracted by the polarization element 147. The diffracted light goes through the collimating lens 144 and enters the photodetector 143. The photodetector 143 generates electrical signals which are in accordance with changes in the light amount. These electrical signals are a focusing control signal, a tracking control signal, and an RF signal.
The light which has thus been transmitted through the polarization hologram 145 then travels through the wavelength plate 146. The wavelength plate 146 functions as a 5/4 wavelength plate with respect to light of the wavelength λ1 (650 nm). Therefore, linearly polarized light of the wavelength λ1 is converted by the wavelength plate 146 into circularly polarized light.
The light (circularly polarized light) which has been reflected back by the optical disk (not shown) is converted into linearly polarized light by the wavelength plate 146. The polarization direction (which is perpendicular to the plane of
T=cos2(φ/2) (eq. 11)
If the phase difference φ is (2M+1) π, it follows that T=0, that is, the perfect diffraction condition is satisfied.
Next, with reference to
Assuming that λ1=650 nm (light of the wavelength for DVDS); λ2=800 nm (light of the wavelength for CDs); and N=1, the transmission efficiency of the non-diffracted light (0th order light) is expressed by eq. 12 below.
cos2((2πλ1/λ2)/2)=cos2((2π× 650/800)/2)=69% (eq. 12)
From eq. 12, it can be seen that about 31% of the incident light is diffracted by the polarization hologram 145.
The light of the wavelength λ2 which has thus been transmitted through the polarization hologram 145 next travels through the wavelength plate 146. Since the wavelength plate 146 is a 5/4 wavelength plate with respect to light of the wavelength λ1 (650 nm), the wavelength plate 146 functions substantially as a 1 wavelength plate with respect to light of the wavelength λ2 (800 nm). Therefore, the linearly polarized light of the wavelength λ2 passes through the wavelength plate 146 without being subjected to polarization conversion by the wavelength plate 146.
On the other hand, since the light of the wavelength λ2 returned from the optical disk is not subjected to polarization conversion by the wavelength plate 146 any more than in the forward path, a phase difference of 2Nπλ1/λ2 is similarly caused by the periodic structure 111 of the polarization hologram 145. Therefore, between light of the wavelength λ1 and light of the wavelength λ2, it would be impossible to set diffracted light for both light to be 0, unless the light having the relatively greater wavelength equals an integer multiple (twice, three times, . . . etc.) of the wavelength of the other light.
Assuming that λ1=650 nm (light for DVDs); λ2=800 nm (light for CDs); and M=1, the diffraction efficiencies of the ±1st order diffracted light are expressed by eq. 13 below.
(2/π)2×cos2((πλ1/λ2)/2)=cos2((π 650/800)/2)=8.4% (eq. 13)
Any light other than the ±1st order diffracted light is mostly transmitted through the diffraction grating as 0th order light.
The above diffraction efficiency for the 1st order diffracted light would be true if the disk substrate did not have any birefringence so that the substrate would exert no polarization influence. Note that, when the substrate of the CD has the highest birefringence, i.e., a birefringence substantially equivalent to that of a ¼ wavelength plate, the linearly polarized light is in a direction perpendicular to that when entering. Since the diffraction efficiency of the ±1st order diffracted light in this case satisfies the perfect diffraction condition, the light amount of the signal light will be more increased than decreased. In other words, the amount of returned light may vary depending on various polarization states, but is non-zero even in the worst cases.
Light of the wavelength λ1 is used for optical disks (such as DVDs) whose substrate thickness is so thin that substrate birefringence is not likely to occur during the production process but which require a short wavelength and thus hinder high-power implementation. The use of such a polarization element makes it possible to attain a high efficiency with respect to light of the wavelength λ1. On the other hand, light of the wavelength λ2 is used for optical disks (such as CDs) for which a sufficient light amount can be secured with a high-power laser (which in itself is relatively easy to produce) notwithstanding a low efficiency but which have such a large substrate thickness that products having a large amount of optical birefringence are likely to be formed during the production process. With respect to light of the wavelength λ2, the use of such a polarization element ensures that the signal level does not become zero even if the polarization state of the returned light from the disk has been changed due to the birefringence of the disk substrate, whereby stable signal reproduction and control can be performed.
Moreover, the use of such a polarization element also makes it possible to realize, in a compact construction, an optical pickup which supports optical storage media of different standards. The reason is that, while independent beam splitters corresponding to different wavelengths have conventionally been used (from the aforementioned perspective) to guide light from a disk to the photodetector, the use of the aforementioned polarization element realizes the same function with the use of a single hologram. As a result, the optical path from the laser light source to the optical storage medium (forward path) and the optical path from the optical storage medium to the photodetector (return path) can be entirely unified, whereby the number of elements in the optical system can be reduced, and the optical system can be accommodated in a small space.
According to the present embodiment, in a device having the above-described structure, a distributed-type wavelength plate 146 is used in the place of the wavelength plate 146 having a uniform retardation as shown in
With respect to the polarization direction of the light from the laser light source 141, the polarization hologram 145 does not diffract light of either wavelength in the forward path of the optical system. Therefore, transmission efficiency losses are prevented, and the incident light is converted by the distribution wavelength plate 146 into substantially circularly polarized light, which is then converged onto the optical disk signal surface 139 or 149. By being reflected from the optical disk signal surface 139 or 149 and going again through the distribution wavelength plate 146 in the return path, light of either wavelength becomes light whose main axis of polarization is substantially in a direction perpendicular to the polarization direction in the forward path. By being led through the polarization hologram 145, light of different wavelengths can both be diffracted by the polarization hologram 145 with a high efficiency, so as to be led to the photodetector 143. In this case, the amount of signal light depends on the polarization diffraction direction components of the hologram. Therefore, when an optical disk having a large birefringence is used, in the very worst case, the signal light amount may become zero if the conventional, uniform wavelength plate is employed. According to the present embodiment, however, the use of the distribution wavelength plate 146 provides adequate countermeasures against the birefringence of the optical disk, while maintaining a high efficiency in the forward path.
Through a thin film formation/processing procedure such as vapor deposition, sputtering, or etching, a thin film structure may be formed on the distribution wavelength plate 146. For example, as shown in
(Embodiment 8)
Next, referring to
First, as shown in
Next, as shown in
Next, as shown in
In order to further enhance the alignment uniformity of the liquid crystal layer 168, it is preferable to apply a voltage between the transparent electrode films 162a and 162b, thus creating an electric field across the liquid crystal layer 168. In the case where no such electric field is to be applied, the transparent electrode films 162a and 162b may be omitted.
Next, as shown in
Alignment restriction for a liquid crystal layer is typically performed by rubbing the surface of the alignment film in a predetermined direction, with a cloth on which fine fibers, e.g., polyamide type synthetic fibers, are formed. However, the present embodiment adopts an optical alignment technique in order to obtain different alignment directions within the same plane. By using such an optical alignment technique, it is possible to obtain a desired alignment distribution. Note that at least one of the transparent conductive films 162a and 162b may be patterned in accordance with the division pattern of the regions. By thus patterning the transparent conductive film 162a and/or 162b, it becomes possible to apply different voltages to different regions, thus facilitating a region-by-region control of the alignment state.
According to the present invention, it is possible to obtain a necessary amount of detected light, irrespective of the birefringence of an optical disk substrate. Therefore, it is possible to support various types of optical disks.
Moreover, an optical pickup according to the present invention can be used for a plurality of different types of optical storage medium, and therefore is suitably used for recording-type optical disk apparatuses (e.g., CDs, DVDs, or Blu-ray discs) which need to be reduced in size and cost.
While the present invention has been described with respect to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the disclosed invention may be modified in numerous ways and may assume many embodiments other than those specifically described above. Accordingly, it is intended by the appended claims to cover all modifications of the invention that fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.
This application is based on Japanese Patent Applications No. 2004-127855 filed Apr. 23, 2004, No. 2004-133108 filed Apr. 28, 2004, and No. 2005-121245 filed Apr. 19, 2005, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004-127855 | Apr 2004 | JP | national |
| 2004-133108 | Apr 2004 | JP | national |
