Patent Grant
8000210
This application is a U.S. National Phase Application under 35 USC 371 of International Application PCT/JP2007/061273 filed Jun. 4, 2007.
The present invention relates to a form birefringence quarter-wave plate having a ridge and trough periodic structure on one side of a base member, and to an optical pickup device including the quarter-wave plate.
Patent Document 1 (Unexamined Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2003-207636) proposes a wave plate that can be used in common for two light fluxes each having a different wavelength, through form birefringence. According to this Patent Document 1, this wave plate is formed through a microscopic periodic structure whose size is a half or less of a wavelength of a target light flux, and the wave plate has the form birefringence that changes the state of polarization of two light fluxes each having a different wavelength, thereby, a wave plate capable of coping with two wavelengths such as, for example, 405 nm and 660 nm can be realized. The microscopic periodic structure whose structural period is 200 nm, duty ratio is 0.64 and structural height is 6000 nm is described in the example in the Patent Document 1.
The form birefringence wave plate has characteristics that optical performances exhibited by the form birefringence wave plate can be controlled by using a dimension of a ridge and trough periodic structure. However, if the structural period is greater than a wavelength of a light flux to be used, form birefringence does not come into effect. Further, if a structural period is close to the wavelength, undesirable diffraction is caused by the ridge and trough periodic structure, though the form birefringence comes into effect, which makes it difficult to obtain a high zeroth-order light transmittance. Until now, there have been proposed many form birefringence wave plates each having a microscopic periodic structure whose size is a half or less of a wavelength of a light flux, like that in Patent Document 1. However, a wave plate having dimensions of the structural period like that in the aforesaid Patent Document 1, for example, requires extremely difficult processing.
In Patent Document 1, there is realized a wave plate capable of coping with two wavelengths such as 405 nm and 660 nm. However, in recent years, there is required an optical disc device capable of coping with three types of optical discs, representing, for example, 405 nm used for a high density optical disc, 650 nm used for DVD and 780 nm used for CD, and it is not easy to secure uniform phase-difference characteristics in a broader wavelength band including the wavelengths.
Taking the aforesaid problems in the prior art, an object of the invention is to provide a form birefringence quarter-wave plate wherein a structural period of a ridge and trough periodic structure is relatively great and its processing is easy, a uniform phase difference characteristic is developed in a broad wavelength band, and high light transmittance can be obtained. Further, another object is to provide an optical pickup device, wherein even if the optical pickup device uses plural wavelengths which are different from each other greatly, a loss of light with each wavelength is less and utilization efficiency for light with each wavelength is high, by providing the quarter wave plate.
To achieve the aforesaid objects, a quarter-wave plate relating to the invention is a quarter-wave plate transmitting a plurality of light fluxes with wavelengths being different from each other. The quarter-wave plate comprises: a base member comprising a ridge and trough periodic structure with a structural period of λmin/2<P<λmin arranged on one side of the base member, where λmin is a minimum wavelength among the plurality of wavelengths. A refractive index nmin of a ridge portion of the ridge and trough periodic structure for the wavelength λmin satisfies 1.5<nmin<1.6. A light transmittance of the quarter-wave plate for the wavelength λmin is 85% or more. The ridge and trough periodic structure satisfies the following expression (1).
H=3.5×f−5.65×nmin+8.55+α (1)
(−0.35≦α≦+0.35)
In the expression, P is a structural period of the ridge and trough periodic structure, H is a structural height [μm] of the ridge portion, L is a structural width of the ridge portion, and f is a filling factor (=L/P).
According to the quarter-wave plate, structural period P of the ridge and trough periodic structure is within a range of lmin/2<P<lmin, which is greater in size when compared with conventional one having a microscopic periodic structure whose size is a half or less of a wavelength, thereby, it makes processing of a wave plate to be easy. Further, by selecting a dimension of the ridge and trough periodic structure satisfying the aforesaid expression (1) so that a light transmittance may become high, phase difference characteristics which are uniform in a relatively broad wavelength band can be developed, thus, a quarter-wave plate having broad band property and high light transmittance can be realized. Owing to this, it is possible to obtain a quarter-wave plate with uniform phase difference characteristics and high light transmittance characteristics in a broad wavelength band such as, for example, 380 nm-820 nm. For example, it realizes performances which provides phase differences within 90±3 deg (for wavelength 405 nm), 90±10 deg (for wavelength 650 nm), and 90±15 deg (for wavelength 780 nm), and provides transmittance of zeroth-order light of 85% or higher (for all wavelengths).
It is further preferable that the aforesaid filling factor (f) is 0.6 or more, and is 0.75 or less, and whereby, the ridge and trough periodic structure is formed more easily.
It is further preferable that a ridge portion of the ridge and trough periodic structure comprises resin. Due to this, it is possible to form a quarter-wave plate through molding by a die. Thus, it makes mass production easy and cost reduction can be realized. Further, it is preferable that the trough portion of the ridge and trough periodic structure comprises air (index of refraction n=1). Due to this, it is possible to lower the structural height (H) of the ridge portion, whereby the ridge and trough periodic structure can be formed even more easily.
Further, when an upper portion of the ridge and trough periodic structure is covered by a member having a refractive index being different from the refractive index of the aforesaid base member, an effect of preventing reflection on the upper part of the ridge and trough periodic structure and an effect of preventing dirt on the ridge and trough periodic structure can be expected. In addition, a ridge and trough periodic structure or a coating layer for preventing reflection can further be provided on the other side of the aforesaid base member. This is preferable because transmittance of the zeroth-order light is improved by the effect of preventing reflection.
Further, to achieve the above objects, an optical pickup device relating to the present invention is an optical pickup device comprising: a light source for emitting light fluxes with a plurality of wavelengths being different from each other; an objective lens for converging each of the light fluxes emitted by the light source onto a recording surface of an information recording medium; a light-receiving element for receiving a light flux reflected by the recording surface of the information recording medium; and a quarter-wave plate arranged between the objective lens and the light-receiving element. The quarter-wave plate comprises a base member which comprises a ridge and trough periodic structure with a structural period of λmin/2<P<λmin arranged on one side of the base member, where λmin is a minimum wavelength among the plurality of wavelengths. A refractive index nmin of a ridge portion of the ridge and trough periodic structure for the wavelength λmin satisfies 1.5<nmin<1.6. A light transmittance of the quarter-wave plate for the wavelength λmin is 85% or more. The ridge and trough periodic structure satisfies the following expression (1).
H=3.5×f−5.65×nmin+8.55+α (1)
(−0.35≦α≦+0.35)
In the expression, P is a structural period of the ridge and trough periodic structure, H is a structural height [μm] of the ridge portion, L is a structural width of the ridge portion, and f is a filling factor (=L/P).
Further, it is preferable that each of the plurality of wavelengths is within a range of 380 nm to 820 nm.
Further, it is also preferable that each of the plurality of wavelengths is within 400 nm±20 nm, 650 nm±20 nm, or 790 nm±30 nm.
It is preferable that the aforesaid filling factor (f) is 0.6 or more and 0.75 or less, and whereby, it is easier to form the ridge and trough periodic structure.
It is preferable that a ridge portion of the ridge and trough periodic structure comprises resin. Due to this, it is possible to form a quarter-wave plate through molding by a die. Thus, it makes mass production easy and cost reduction can be realized. Further, it is preferable that the trough portion of the ridge and trough periodic structure comprises air (index of refraction n=1). Due to this, it is possible to lower the structural height (H) of the ridge portion, whereby the ridge and trough periodic structure can be formed even more easily.
Further, when an upper portion of the ridge and trough periodic structure is covered by a member that is different from the aforesaid base member in terms of refractive index, an effect of preventing reflection on the upper part of the ridge and trough periodic structure and an effect of preventing dirt on the ridge and trough periodic structure can be expected. In addition, a ridge and trough periodic structure or a coating layer for preventing reflection can also be provided on the other side of the aforesaid base member. This is preferable because transmittance of the zeroth-order light is improved by the effect of preventing reflection.
According to the quarter-wave plate, a structural period of the ridge and trough periodic structure can provide relatively large size, easy processability, uniform phase difference characteristics within a broad wavelength band, and high transmittance.
According to the optical pickup device, even when the quarter-wave plate uses plural wavelengths which are different greatly from each other, the optical pickup device includes a quarter-wave plate with uniform phase difference characteristics and with high transmittance for each wavelength, developed in a broad wavelength band. Thereby, it is possible to obtain an optical pickup device with smaller loss of light and high light utilization efficiency.
The best mode for carrying out the invention will be explained as follows, referring to the drawings.
Form birefringence quarter-wave plate 10 shown in
Optical resin materials such as polyolefin resin and norbornane type resin are preferable as resin constituting the ridge portions 11, and in concrete terms, APEL made by Mitsui Chemicals, Inc., ARTON made by JSR Corporation, ZEONOR and ZEONEX made by ZEON Corporation, for example, can be used. A refractive index for wavelength 405 nm of each of these resins is within a range of 1.5-1.6. Incidentally, base member 14 may also be constituted with the same resin.
When quarter-wave plate 10 in
Further, it is necessary to provide the phase difference satisfying the desired value within a working wavelength range, for this quarter-wave plate 10 to function as a wavelength plate for broader wavelength range. However, the phase difference also depends on each dimension P, f and H of the ridge and trough periodic structure. Therefore, dimensions of the ridge and trough periodic structure that satisfies both the desired phase difference and high transmittance of the zeroth-order light within a broad wavelength band are further limited.
In the form birefringence quarter-wave plate 10 of the present embodiment, structural period P of the ridge and trough periodic structure is within a range of λmin/2<P<λmin, where the wavelength λmin is the shortest wavelength in the working wavelength range. It determines respective dimensions of the ridge and trough periodic structure so that a desired phase difference and a high transmittance of the zeroth-order light may be obtained. Incidentally, an example of the aforesaid transmittance of the zeroth-order light is 85%.
If respective dimensions of the ridge and trough periodic structure that satisfies the following expression (1) are selected so that transmittance of the zeroth-order light may become high (for example, 85% or more), it is possible to obtain a quarter-wave plate that has capabilities such that phase differences is within 90±3 deg (for wavelength 405 nm), 90±10 deg (for wavelength 650 nm), and 90±15 deg (for wavelength 780 nm) and transmittance of zeroth-order light is 85% or more (for all wavelengths). Thereby, there can be provided a quarter-wave plate with uniform phase difference characteristics within a broad wavelength band such as the range from 380 nm to 820 nm (broadband characteristics) and with high light transmittance.
H=3.5×f−5.65×nmin+8.55+α (1)
(−0.35≦α≦+0.35)
In the expression above, nmin represents a refractive index of the base member for the shortest wavelength in the working wavelength range. In the present embodiment, structural period P of the ridge and trough periodic structure is restricted by λmin/2<P<λmin. Further, filling factor f (=L/P) can be selected so that a desired phase difference may be obtained, and it is preferable that the value of f is within a range of 0.6≦f≦0.75 as a processing-realizable range.
An example of a variation of the present embodiment will be explained as follows, referring to
Form birefringence quarter-wave plate 10′ shown in
When expecting an effect of antireflection for improving transmittance of the zeroth-order light, for example, the cover member 15 can be made by depositing SiO2 with an appropriate thickness. Alternatively, it is also possible to employ a multiple-layered coating wherein some layers of different materials are superposed. In addition, the cover member can be made through an appropriate method suitable for the material of the cover member 15. In the meantime, the refractive index of SiO2 is 1.470 (for wavelength 405 nm), 1.452 (for wavelength 650 nm) and 1.449 (for wavelength 780 nm).
Further, it is also possible to provide coating layer 16 that functions as an antireflection object on the other side of base member 14 as shown with broken lines in
According to the quarter-wave plate of the present embodiment, as stated above, each dimension of the ridge and trough periodic structure is formulated to develop a uniform phase difference characteristics and to obtain high transmittance, in a broad wavelength band of 380 nm-820 nm, by the use of an ridge and trough periodic structure in which structural period P is within a range of λmin/2<P<λmin. Thereby, it is possible to obtain a ridge and trough periodic structure with greater structural period P and lower structural height H in comparison with a conventional wavelength plate. The foregoing makes manufacture to be easier than that in the past, and an ridge and trough periodic structure can be efficiently produced by utilizing, for example, injection molding or a nano-imprinting method.
For example, in the aforesaid Patent Document 1, a structural period is made to be a half or less of a wavelength of light, and there is given a structure having a structural period of 200 nm, a duty ratio of 0.64 and a structural height of 6000 nm. Manufacture of that structure is extremely difficult because its aspect ratio is great in particular. On the other hand, a range of dimensions of the ridge and trough periodic structure in the present embodiment exhibits greater structural period and lower structural height than the structure in the Patent Document 1, thus, the aspect ratio in the present embodiment is not great and processing of the ridge and trough periodic structure is easy.
Further, in the Patent Document 1 in which a wavelength plate coping with two wavelengths with the aforesaid structural period dimensions has been realized, it is difficult for an optical disc device to have uniform phase difference characteristics in a broader wavelength band required in recent years including, for example, 405 nm, 650 nm and 780 nm (three wavelengths compatibility for high density optical disc, DVD and CD). However, in the present embodiment, it is possible to develop uniform phase difference characteristics in a broader wavelength band covering 380 nm-820 nm. Owing to this, a single wavelength plate element can be provided as a wavelength plate, while a wavelength plate have been needed for each wavelengths in the past. Thereby, the number of parts of an optical disc device can be reduced.
Next, the invention will be explained more specifically as follows, referring to the example, to which, however, the invention is not limited by the explanation.
Wavelength plates grouped into Examples 1-5 and Comparative Examples 1-5 have respective structural dimensions (see
ZEONEX (made by ZEON Corporation) was used as a resin material of the wavelength plate for each of Examples 1-5 and Comparative Examples 1-5, and refractive indexes thereof were as follows.
n405=1.525 (for wavelength 405 nm)
n650=1.506 (for wavelength 650 nm)
n780=1.505 (for wavelength 780 nm)
In Table 1, the symbol with a circle “◯” in column *1 indicates that the aforesaid expression (1) is satisfied, and a symbol with a cross “X” indicates that the aforesaid expression (1) is not satisfied. Further, overall judgment *2 was carried out such that those satisfying all of the following items are represented by the symbol with a circle “◯”, and those which do not satisfy at least any one of the following items are represented by a symbol with a cross “X”:
(1) Respective transmittances of zeroth-order light for λ=405 nm, 650 nm and 780 nm are 85% or more;
(2) Phase difference Φ405 for λ=405 nm is within 90±3[deg];
(3) Phase difference Φ650 for λ=650 nm is within 90±10[deg].
(4) Phase difference Φ780 for λ=780 nm is within 90±15[deg].
The Table 1 shows that structural periods P of Examples 1-5 and of Comparative Examples 1-5 are all within a range of λmin/2<P<λmin under the condition of λmin=405 nm. The Table 1 further shows that Comparative Examples 1-5 which does not satisfy the expression (1) provide a transmittance of the zeroth-order light or a phase difference which does not satisfy the aforesaid condition, and that the Examples 1-5 which satisfy the expression (1) provide a transmittance of the zeroth-order light and a phase difference which satisfy the aforesaid condition.
Next, wavelength plates grouped into Examples 6-10 and Comparative Examples 6-10 have respective structural dimensions (see
n405=1.560 (for wavelength 405 nm)
n650=1.541 (for wavelength 650 nm)
n780=1.537 (for wavelength 780 nm)
In Table 2, a symbol with circle “◯” in the column *1 indicates that the aforesaid expression (1) is satisfied, and a symbol with cross “X” indicates that the aforesaid expression (1) is not satisfied. Further, overall judgment *2 was carried out in the same way as in Table 1.
The Table 2 above shows that structural periods P of Examples 6-10 and of Comparative Examples 6-10 are all within a range of λmin/2<P<λmin under the condition of λmin=405 nm. The Table 2 further shows that Comparative Examples 6-10 which do not satisfy the expression (1) provide a transmittance of the zeroth-order light or a phase difference which does not satisfy the aforesaid condition, and that the Examples 6-10 which satisfy the expression (1) provide a transmittance of the zeroth-order light and a phase difference which satisfy the aforesaid condition.
There have been explained the best mode for carrying out the invention and the example of the invention, to which, however, the invention is not limited, and various modifications can be made without departing from the technical spirit and scope of the invention. For example, the quarter-wave plate 10 can be used so that a light flux may enter from any of the upper portion and the lower portion in
In the same way, quarter-wave plate 10′ in
Optical pickup device PU shown in
As the specifications of BD, thickness t of protective substrate PL1 is 0.1 mm, numerical aperture NA is 0.85 and working wavelength is 400 nm±20 nm (for example, 405 nm). As the specifications of DVD, thickness t of protective substrate PL2 is 0.6 mm, numerical aperture NA is 0.65 and working wavelength is 650 nm±20 nm (for example, 650 nm). As the specifications of CD, thickness t of protective substrate PL3 is 1.2 mm, numerical aperture NA is 0.51 and working wavelength is 790 nm±30 nm (for example, 780 nm). However, combination of a wavelength, a thickness of a protective substrate and a numerical aperture is not limited to the foregoing.
Out of three laser light sources LD1-LD3 shown in
Light beam L1 is emitted from violet laser light source LD1 representing a light source for BD, to be divergent and be in an oval-shaped light intensity distribution. The beam is formed by beam forming element BL to be in light intensity distribution that is preferable for recording and reproducing information.
Light beam L1 formed by beam forming element BL enters diffraction grating GR for conducting tracking operation in a DPP method or a three-beam method, and it is divided into a main beam (zeroth-order light) for conducting recording/reproducing information for optical disc DK and into two sub-beams (first order light, omitted in
On the other hand, light beam L2 is emitted from red laser light source LD2 representing a light source for DVD, to be divergent and be in an oval-shaped light intensity distribution. The beam enters diffraction grating CT for conducting tracking operation in DPP method or in 3-beam method, and is divided into a main beam (zeroth-order light) for conducting recording/reproducing information for optical disc DK and into two sub-beams (±first-order light which is omitted in
The optical path compound prism DP has the structure wherein two glass prisms are pasted together through dichroic film DC that is composed of a multilayer optical membrane. The dichroic film DC has wavelength selectivity so as to reflect the light beam L1 in a wavelength-band of wavelength 405 nm, and to pass through the light beam L2 in a wavelength-band of wavelength 650 nm and the light beam L3 in a wavelength-band of wavelength 780 nm. The optical paths of three light beams L1-L3 is combined by the optical path compound prism DP, thereby, each of three light beams L1-L3 enters the polarization beam splitter CS through a common path.
The dichroic film DC provided on the optical path compound prism DP may have wavelength selectivity so as to transmit the light beam L1 in a wavelength-band of wavelength 405 nm, and to reflect the light beam L2 in a wavelength-band of wavelength 650 nm and the light beam L3 in a wavelength-band of wavelength 780 nm. What is required in this case is replacement between the optical path for the blue laser light source LD1 and the optical path for the red laser light source LD2 and the infrared laser light source LD3. Incidentally, it is assumed that three light beams L1-L3 which enter the polarization beam splitter CS from the optical path compound prism DP are of P polarization.
The polarization beam splitter CS is an optical path branching device having polarization separating film PC composed of a multilayer optical membrane between two transparent triangular prisms serving as a substrate. The polarization separating film PC has polarization separating characteristics in which most of P polarization components of an incident light flux are transmitted and most of S polarization components are reflected. Under this condition, polarization directions of light beams L1-L3 to the polarization separating film PC are of P polarization. Therefore, most of light beams L1-L3 enters the polarization separating film PC are transmitted, and whereby, optical paths from respective laser light sources LD1-LD3 to optical disc DK are formed.
Each of light beams L1-L3 which have passed through the polarization beam splitter CS enters collimating optical system CL. The collimating optical system CL converts each of the entering light beams L1-L3 into an almost parallel beam. This collimating optical system CL has the two-group two-element structure having a convex lens and a concave lens with an air space interposing between both lenses, and the air space is variable by a one-dimensional actuator (not shown). It is possible to adjust wavefront aberration caused due to an error of a substrate thickness of optical disc DK, by changing the air space and changing angles of divergence for each of emitted light beams L1-L3. Each of the light beams L1-L3 converted by collimating optical system CL into almost parallel beams is converted into circularly polarized light by the aforesaid form birefringence quarter-wave plate QWP (corresponding to element 10 in
The objective optical system OL is movable for focusing and tracking operations for each optical disc, by two-dimensional actuator (not shown). Though the objective optical system OL is shown as a single lens in
Each of the light beams L1-L3 formed into an image on information recording surface SK is reflected on information recording surface SK to become reflected light for returning, and each passes through objective lens OL, aperture stop AP, form birefringence quarter-wave plate QWP and collimating optical system CL, and returns to polarization beam splitter CS. Since each of the light beams L1-L3 passes through form birefringence quarter-wave plate QWP on the way back to the polarization beam splitter CS, each enters polarization separating film PC as S-polarized light. By the reflection of components of this S-polarized light, an optical path from optical disc DK to light-receiving element PD is formed. Therefore, each of the light beams L1-L3 reflected on polarization beam splitter CS passes through sensor optical system SL composed of cylindrical lenses and optical filter CF, and is converged on light-receiving element PD of a signal system. Then, optical information included in each of the light beams L1-L3 is detected by the light-receiving element PD.
Optical filter CF arranged between polarization beam splitter CS and light-receiving element PD is a filter to adjust an amount of transmitted light for a wavelength-band of wavelength 405 nm, a wavelength-band of wavelength 650 nm and a wavelength-band of wavelength 780 nm. It changes an amount of transmitted light for light beams L1-L3 depending on wavelength so that an amount of transmitted light for a wavelength-band of wavelength 650 nm and a wavelength-band of wavelength 780 nm may be brought near to an amount of transmitted light for a zone of wavelength 405 nm. Adjustment of the amount of transmitted light controls a light amount for all of the light beams L1-L3 to be in a dynamic range of light-receiving element PD.
By employing form birefringence quarter-wave plate providing uniform phase difference characteristic in a wide wavelength band despite working wavelength that varies greatly, and providing high transmittance for each wavelength on a three wavelength compatible optical pickup device, despite of working wavelengths being greatly different from each other, it is possible to obtain an optical pickup device wherein light loss is less and utilization efficiency is high.
Though there has been explained an example employing a three-wavelength-compatible optical pickup device on which a form birefringence quarter-wave plate relating to the present embodiment by using
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006-158265 | Jun 2006 | JP | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/JP2007/061273 | 6/4/2007 | WO | 00 | 12/3/2008 |
| Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| WO2007/142179 | 12/13/2007 | WO | A |
| Number | Date | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 62-170902 | Jul 1987 | JP |
| 2003-207636 | Jul 2003 | JP |
| 2003207636 | Jul 2003 | JP |
| 2004-145064 | May 2004 | JP |
| 2004145064 | May 2004 | JP |
| 2004-170623 | Jun 2004 | JP |
| 2004170623 | Jun 2004 | JP |
| 2005-010377 | Jan 2005 | JP |
| 2005010377 | Jan 2005 | JP |
| 2005-259235 | Sep 2005 | JP |
| 2005-338638 | Dec 2005 | JP |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20090196152 A1 | Aug 2009 | US |
