Abstract: An optical pickup apparatus includes a first objective lens having a low numerical aperture (NA) suitable for a low density recording medium, a second objective lens having a high NA suitable for a high density recording medium, a first light source that emits short wavelength light which is focused onto an optical recording medium by the first and second objective lenses, a first photodetector that receives a returning reflected light from the optical recording medium, and a first optical path converter for selectively guiding part of the light emitted from the first light source towards the first or the second objective lens, and guiding the reflected light towards the first photodetector.

Abstract: An optical pickup which is compatible with different types of media is disclosed. A plurality of light sources emit light with different wavelengths. Light path changers change the path of light emitted by the plurality of light sources so that the light is incident upon an objective lens. The objective lens focuses the incident light onto a recording medium. A collimating lens is disposed in front of the objective lens to collimate the incident lights. The collimating lens is movable to correct a spherical aberration. A diffractive optical element is disposed in a path of a light with a short wavelength and has a diffractive surface to correct a chromatic aberration.