Abstract: By using a semiconductor laser of a relatively long wavelength relative to the track pitch of an optical recording medium, and the optical super-resolution technique, there are provided an optical head and an optical recording apparatus which permit processing such as recording and regeneration onto and from a conventional CD-R with no problems, and processing of an optical recording medium of the DVD standard with a high recording density. In the optical head and the optical recording apparatus of the present invention, a semiconductor laser having a relatively long wavelength relative to the track pitch of an optical recording medium can be used. The invention therefore provides an optical head and an optical recording apparatus which overcome the limit on efforts toward a higher density, and permit recording and regeneration at a high recording density at a low cost with a high reliability.

Abstract: An optical recording regeneration apparatus with a compensation circuit is provided. In the apparatus, a recording state detection circuit detects the recording state of recorded data and generates state data indicative of the recording state. A modulation control circuit compares the state data with a specified value and generates the comparison results. A drive circuit adjusts the power level and/or the pulse width of the laser beam in accordance with the comparison results. Thus, the power level and/or the pulse width of the laser beam can maintain at an optimum value without being affected by variations in disk recording sensitivity resulting from temperature or other changes over time.