Abstract: The quantity of spherical aberration correction is predetermined for each recording plane of an optical disk on which focusing control is performed. Before operating the focusing control, the quantity of spherical aberration to be corrected by an aberration correcting system is set based on an output signal from an aberration correction quantity switching device that corresponds to the type of the optical disk and the recording plane to be subjected to the focusing control. This makes it possible to perform stable focusing control on each recording plane of a multi-layer optical disk with high density by using an objecting lens having a large NA after spherical aberration has been corrected properly.

Abstract: Tilt which is inclination of a normal of optical disk relative to optical axis of optical head is corrected with a liquid crystal element. In a driver for the liquid crystal element, a periodic waveform generator generates periodic waveform and an inverting element inverts the periodic waveform. The periodic waveform and the inverted waveform are connected to two ends of a potential divider which provides partial voltages. The periodic waveform is connected to a common electrode of the liquid crystal element, and the partial voltages of the potential divider are connected to electrodes opposing the common electrode. A structure of a driver circuit for each direction is simple. Tilt in a plurality of directions can be performed independently of each other. Spherical aberration is also corrected. When the liquid crystal element is mounted to a fixed component, deterioration due to jitters is reduced.

Abstract: Tilt which is inclination of a normal of optical disk relative to optical axis of optical head is corrected with a liquid crystal element. In a driver for the liquid crystal element, a periodic waveform generator generates periodic waveform and an inverting element inverts the periodic waveform. The periodic waveform and the inverted waveform are connected to two ends of a potential divider which provides partial voltages. The periodic waveform is connected to a common electrode of the liquid crystal element, and the partial voltages of the potential divider are connected to electrodes opposing the common electrode. A structure of a driver circuit for each direction is simple. Tilt in a plurality of directions can be performed independently of each other. Spherical aberration is also corrected. When the liquid crystal element is mounted to a fixed component, deterioration due to jitters is reduced.

Abstract: The quantity of spherical aberration correction is predetermined for each recording plane of an optical disk on which focusing control is performed. Before operating the focusing control, the quantity of spherical aberration to be corrected by an aberration correcting system is set based on an output signal from an aberration correction quantity switching device that corresponds to the type of the optical disk and the recording plane to be subjected to the focusing control. This makes it possible to perform stable focusing control on each recording plane of a multi-layer optical disk with high density by using an objecting lens having a large NA after spherical aberration has been corrected properly.

Abstract: An optical head apparatus capable of stably obtaining a detection signal of spherical aberration even with a high density optical disk. A spherical aberration error signal is obtained by: dividing the returning light from the optical disk into a transmitted light and a diffracted light; reproducing information with the transmitted light having a larger amount of light while dividing the diffracted light having a small amount of light into two regions, i.e., region near the optical axis and a region distant from the optical axis; determining amounts of focus deviation in respective regions as focus error signals; and taking the difference signal therebetween. Thus, it is possible to detect the amount of spherical aberration with the SN ratio of the information reproducing signal kept at high level.