Abstract: An objective lens has a first meniscus-shape lens including a first object-side surface having a positive reflective power; and a second meniscus-shape lens having a positive reflective power. The first meniscus-shape lens and the second meniscus-shape are arranged in that order from an object side.

Abstract: An optical device and an information recording/reproducing apparatus using the optical device are disclosed. Incident light is output to a path selected from a plurality of paths so that an optical path can be secured with high precision for a separated (two-part) optical system. The optical device and the information recording/reproducing apparatus include a first reflective unit for reflecting the incident light in a fixed direction, and a second reflective unit for reflecting the light received from the first reflective unit to a second optical path. The two reflective units are movable in a body between two positions, one position being on a first optical path, and the other position being in an evacuation position where the first optical path is not intercepted.

Abstract: There is disclosed a substrate unit comprising a light emitting element attachment surface for attaching a light emitting element which emits laser light substantially in parallel to the attachment surface, a light reflecting surface for changing the direction of the light axis of the laser light emitted from the light emitting element by a predetermined angle by reflection, and a light detecting element attachment surface, formed on the same two-dimensional plane as a plane of the light emitting element attachment surface, for attaching a light detecting element which receives light incident from the outside.

Abstract: An optical pickup and a disk drive apparatus, each having a reduced number of components and a reduced size, is provided with a light emitting element (11); a rise mirror (12) which includes a main portion (17) having an inclined surface (17a) formed at a predetermined angle with respect to the optical axis of a laser beam emitted from the light emitting element and which includes a half mirror (18) disposed on the inclined surface, for reflecting at least a part of the laser beam toward a disk recording medium (100); and a receiving optics (15) for receiving the laser beam reflected at the disk recording medium, and also is provided with detecting means (19) disposed in the rise mirror, for receiving a part of the laser beam emitted from the light emitting element and also for detecting the output of the received laser beam.

Abstract: The present invention provides an optical pickup device comprises at least:

Abstract: An electromagnetically controlled drive system for accessing a data storage medium comprises an optical signal generator and a reflector element adapted to receive an optical signal from the optical signal generator. The reflector element is also adapted to direct the optical signal toward the data storage medium. The system also comprises an electromagnetic element adapted to generate an electromagnetic field proximate to the reflector element. The reflector element is adapted to respond to the electromagnetic field to move the optical signal relative to the data storage medium in response to a change in the electromagnetic field.

Abstract: While supporting an optical disc having a recording density that is higher than conventional optical discs by shortening the wavelength of the emitted light and increasing the numerical aperture (NA) of an objective lens, a reduction in the size of an optical pickup apparatus relative to the size of a disc cartridge that houses the optical disc is achieved. The present invention includes a fixed optical system having a built-in light source, and a movable optical system having an objective lens. A parallel light beam that enters the movable optical system from the fixed optical system enters the movable optical system via a light path that is parallel to the direction in which the objective lens is movable and from the side on which a spindle motor is provided.

Abstract: To implement light quantity monitoring with high frequency responsivity and correction of astigmatic differences of a semiconductor laser with a simple configuration with a fewer parts.

Abstract: A device for refracting beams of light, in particular laser beams, with at least one refraction component which can be adjusted by means of a drive unit. The drive unit is formed from the drive of a read/write head of a magnetic data storage component.

Abstract: An electromagnetically controlled drive system for accessing a data storage medium comprises an optical signal generator and a reflector element adapted to receive an optical signal from the optical signal generator. The reflector element is also adapted to direct the optical signal toward the data storage medium. The system also comprises an electromagnetic element adapted to generate an electromagnetic field proximate to the reflector element. The reflector element is adapted to respond to the electromagnetic field to move the optical signal relative to the data storage medium in response to a change in the electromagnetic field.

Abstract: An optical element supporting device has one ends of two parallel plate springs, which are extended in a tangential direction, fixed to a holder, has the other ends thereof fixed to a fixture member, and has a collimator lens locked in an opening of the holder. A base fixed to the bottom of the fixture member has two yokes formed thereon. Magnets each polarized in two directions are fixed to the insides of the yokes. Coils are fixed to two surfaces of the holder opposed to the magnets. A target is fixed to the holder, and a sensor is fixed to the bottom of the base. When a current flows into the coils, electromagnetic force is produced along an optical axis due to the interaction between the coils and the magnets opposed to the coils. This causes the parallel plate springs to loosen. Consequently, the holder, target, collimator lens, and coils move as a whole along the optical axis.

Abstract: An optical head with a plurality of semi-conductor laser chips for use in reducing inclination or gradient of more than one beam presently falling onto a focusing lens is disclosed. To this end, a double mirror or alternatively beam reshaping means is disposed which has different reflection planes for permitting reflection of a plurality of laser beams incoming from the semiconductor laser chips.

Abstract: In a pickup device 1, a rising mirror 11 is composed in such a manner that two mirrors (first and second mirrors) are respectively provided on both sides of a substantially parallel transparent substrate 11A. A dichroic mirror 11B (first mirror) formed on one face (surface) reflects a blue laser beam and transmits a red laser beam. A hologram mirror 11C (second mirror) provided on the other face (reverse face) reflects a red laser beam.

Abstract: An optical element supporting device has one ends of two parallel plate springs, which are extended in a tangential direction, fixed to a holder, has the other ends thereof fixed to a fixture member, and has a collimator lens locked in an opening of the holder. A base fixed to the bottom of the fixture member has two yokes formed thereon. Magnets each polarized in two directions are fixed to the insides of the yokes. Coils are fixed to two surfaces of the holder opposed to the magnets. A target is fixed to the holder, and a sensor is fixed to the bottom of the base. When a current flows into the coils, electromagnetic force is produced along an optical axis due to the interaction between the coils and the magnets opposed to the coils. This causes the parallel plate springs to loosen. Consequently, the holder, target, collimator lens, and coils move as a whole along the optical axis.

Abstract: In an optical pickup device in which the response of track follow-up control is improved, a polarizing beam splitter (PBS) combines information light and reference light, and the combined light is made incident on a recording disk via an optical rotary plate divided into two parts, a tracking galvano-mirror, relay lenses, a follow-up galvano-mirror and an objective lens. The tracking galvano-mirror can scan the combined light in a radial direction of the recording disk, and the follow-up galvano-mirror can scan the combined light in a track direction of the recording disk. The objective lens can be moved in opposite directions toward and away from the recording disk by a direct driving type of actuator.

Abstract: A data read/write method for the laser head of the lower inertial compact disk driving device, which includes a rotary needle, an compact composition, and a tracking device, wherein the compact composition, constructed on the rotary needle, transmits the laser beam towards and backwards between the disk and the laser head by the revolution of the rotary needle as well as the back and forth straight movements of the tracking device. The compact composition is composed of a movable reflector and a fixed reflector to form a read/write compact path. The laser beam is firstly reflected to the horizontal beam via the fixed reflector, then reflected to the perpendicular beam via the movable reflector to one track on the disk; and the beam, reflected back along the original path from the reflection layer of the compact disk, is received by the laser head.

Abstract: A VCSEL-based monolithic optical pickup system for use with optical recording media with a retaining member, a plurality of VCSELs disposed on the retaining member for emitting laser beams, a plurality of detectors disposed on the retaining member for receiving reflected laser beams, and a stepped micro-mirror for reflecting laser beams emitted by the plurality of VCSELs toward optical recording media and for reflecting laser beams reflected from the recording media toward the plurality of detectors. The VCSELs and detectors can be disposed in laser/detector pairs wherein each detector surrounds its respective VCSEL.

Abstract: In an optical pickup device with a defocus adjustor used for adjusting a position of a photo-sensor against an optical system, the photo-sensor is mounted on a flexible printed circuit board, and the flexible printed circuit board is fixed on a plate spring. A first end of the plate spring with the flexible printed circuit board is fixed on a fixing face of a holder. Since the fixing face of the holder is inclined and the plate spring is formed flat with no bending portion, the plate spring is warped for generating a stress when the second end of the plate spring is fixed on the holder by an adjusting screw. The position of a photo-sensing face of the photo-sensor can be fine adjusted by tightening or loosening the adjusting screw.

Abstract: A planar integrated micro-optical pickup head is used to perform reading and writing operations on a high-density disk. The planar integrated micro-optical pickup head includes a set of optical elements that is comprised of a beam splitter, a plurality of 45-degrees-oriented folding mirrors, and two planar collimators. The pickup head further comprises a photo-detector, a laser source for emitting a laser beam of short wavelength, and an objective lens of high value of numerical aperture. The set of optical elements is formed on lower and upper substrates via semiconductor planar fabrication processes, the laser source and the objective lens then are mechanically attached on the lower substrate. The lower and upper substrates are ultimately aligned and attached with each other to achieve the pickup head hence having a reduced size and simply fabricated.

Abstract: An optical pickup in which a substantially L-shaped retaining seat having an inclined side surface and an inclined end surface which are orthogonal to each other is formed on one side surface of a light passage hole formed in a housing, a groove is formed between the inclined side surface and the inclined end surface, while a positioning seat is formed on the other side surface of the light passage hole. An adhesive agent is injected between each of both end portions of a half mirror, which is disposed in an inclined state on the both seats, and each of the seats and into the groove. The width of an opening portion of the groove is set to be larger than the width of an depth portion of the groove.

Abstract: There is disclosed a compact optical information storage apparatus in which noise attributed to wobbling or the like is reduced and high-density recording is possible. An optical device 410 comprises a reflective surface 64 including a main portion for reflecting a signal light reflected by a separation surface 61 in a predetermined direction, and a mask portion 411 having an optical property different from the optical property of the main portion.

Abstract: An optical disk device in which the laser beam emitted from a laser light source and deflected by a movable mirror is focused on an optical recording medium by an optical head section. Tracking control is carried out by a drive control section based on the laser beam reflected from the optical recording medium. A micro electrical mechanical system incorporating the movable mirror is housed in a package accommodating the laser light source. The movable mirror is driven by electrostatic force at a frequency of 0.5 KHz or higher.

Abstract: In a micro mirror apparatus pivoting on a hinge part as its axis, a movable part connected to a stationary part through the hinge part enhances exclusively the flexural rigidity of the hinge part without causing any significant change in the torsional rigidity of the hinge part and thus widens servo band. To this end, on at least a part of the hinge part 14, a protrusion 14b protruding in the direction of its thickness is formed. This greatly increases the flexural rigidity of the hinge part 14 and widens the servo band.

Abstract: An electromagnetically controlled drive system for accessing a data storage medium comprises an optical signal generator and a reflector element adapted to receive an optical signal from the optical signal generator. The reflector element is also adapted to direct the optical signal toward the data storage medium. The system also comprises an electromagnetic element adapted to generate an electromagnetic field proximate to the reflector element. The reflector element is adapted to respond to the electromagnetic field to move the optical signal relative to the data storage medium in response to a change in the electromagnetic field.

Abstract: An optical pickup device having a lead frame package and a detecting unit is provided. The lead frame package includes a sub-mount, a light source mounted on the sub-mount and emitting a beam, a reflecting element disposed to direct the beam toward an optical medium, a transmission-type diffraction gating element dividing the beam into three beams, and a hologram optical element diffracting the beams reflected from the optical medium, the lead frame package having an opening defined by the hologram optical element, the bottom of the lead frame package, and side walls of the lead frame package. The detecting unit having a substrate and a photo diode mounted on the substrate is disposed within the opening of the lead frame package. After the detecting unit is adjusted with respect to the lead frame package to a position to accurately receive the reflected beams from the hologram optical element, the detecting unit is fixed to the lead frame package.

Abstract: An optical head is composed of a light source means (1) for generating a luminous flux (A), a polarization beam splitter (2), an object lens (11) opposed to an appropriate recording medium (12), and a power monitoring means (6) for monitoring the power of the luminous flux (A) output from the light source means (1). The power monitoring means (6) is adapted to utilize a luminous flux (B) other than a luminous flux (C) of the luminous flux (A) (the whole amount of light) in order to monitor the power of the luminous flux (A) output from the light source means (1). The luminous flux (C) is substantially used for reproducing predetermined information from the recording medium (12) or recording the predetermined information onto the recording medium (12).

Abstract: A pocket 10 is formed in a bottom surface 2a of a groove portion 2 in such a manner as to oppose a rear surface 3a of a half mirror 3, and an adhesive-injecting recessed passage 11 extending from the pocket 10 to an open end of the groove portion 2 is formed in the bottom surface 2a of the groove portion 2. Further, the bottom of the pocket 10 is closed by a positioning base 12 which is formed on the bottom surface 2a of the groove portion 2 to abut against the rear surface 3a of the half mirror 3, and a pair of protrusions 14 are formed which extend from the open end of the groove portion 2 to the positioning base 12 along both side edges of the adhesive-injecting recessed passage 11.

Abstract: A folding mirror structure comprises a folding mirror, a piezoelectric film and electrodes attached to the surfaces of the piezoelectric film. The folding mirror is used for deflecting a laser beam. The piezoelectric film and electrodes are stacked in an interleaving manner and attached to the folding mirror. The surfaces of the electrodes have particular patterns for compensating the coma aberrations due to the tilt of an optical disc.

Abstract: An optical pickup comprises a light source section for emitting a light beam, a floating objective lens for focusing the light beam on an optical disk, a galvano-mirror capable of directing the light beam toward the objective lens and rockable for tracking control, a beam splitter for extracting return light from the optical disk, and a photodetector for detecting return light. The floating objective lens includes a lens for converging the light beam and a slider for holding the lens. The slider is lifted off the optical disk by means of air currents produced as the disk rotates. The galvano-mirror is located adjacent to the objective lens. In other words, the objective lens in a floating state is situated close to the galvano-mirror without intercepting the light beam incident upon the galvano-mirror.

Abstract: The medium of a disk for CD-R is a pigmentation material so readout by a 650-nm laser diode (LD) is not possible. Since CD-R is becoming popular in the marketplace, there are demands for a DVD readout device that is capable of reading CD-R format disks. An integrated semiconductor laser element is created by forming a two-wavelength LD monolithically on a GaAs substrate, and that laser element emits a laser beam that is reflected by a 45° mirror incorporated in a flat package. If a three-part holographic element is used, and the light-receiving element and an amplification circuit are integrated on a silicon substrate, it is possible to implement a small, light-weight optical pickup with fewer components.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for optical tracking in an edge-guided tape recorder is provided. In one embodiment, an optical tape guiding system for use in an optical tape drive which may write to optical tape is provided. The optical tape has a first edge and is disposed to be transported through the optical tape drive, and the optical tape exhibits transverse motion during transport through the optical tape drive. The system includes a curved edge guide disposed to maintain contact with the first edge of the optical tape during transport through the optical tape drive. The system may further include a mirror galvanometer disposed to direct a record beam of the optical tape system to the optical tape.

Abstract: A read-after-write system for optical recording systems includes a mirror used to direct read beams to a desired position on a recording medium relative to write beams impinging on the recording medium. The mirror may be adjustable to direct the read beams through a range of possible positions.

Abstract: There is disclosed a substrate unit comprising a light emitting element attachment surface for attaching a light emitting element which emits laser light substantially in parallel to the attachment surface, a light reflecting surface for changing the direction of the light axis of the laser light emitted from the light emitting element by a predetermined angle by reflection, and a light detecting element attachment surface, formed on the same two-dimensional plane as a plane of the light emitting element attachment surface, for attaching a light detecting element which receives light incident from the outside.

Abstract: An optical module has a first light source which emits a first light beam from a first light emission point in a predetermined direction, a second light source which emits a second light beam from a second light emission point in the predetermined direction, and an optical element. The optical element includes a plurality of reflection surfaces for reflecting the first and second light beams, and finally outputting the first and second light beams in the predetermined direction with a separation between the first and second light beams smaller than a distance between the first and second light emission points.

Abstract: A recording and reproducing apparatus has an optical head that is provided with a laser light source for emitting light and a reflection converging optical system. The reflection converging optical system reflects light emitted from the laser light source, and converges the light on one point of a bottom surface of a solid immersion lens. Here, the reflection converging system has a first reflection surface for reflecting incident light; and a second reflection surface for further reflecting the light reflected by the first reflection surface and for converging the light onto the bottom the solid immersion lens.

Abstract: A light emitted from a light source (11) or a return light from a magneto-optical discs (7a, 7b, 7c or 7d) is transmitted by a polarization maintaining optical fibers (15a, 15b, 15c or 15d). Phase difference generators (16a, 16b, 16c and 16d) are disposed in optical paths, respectively, for these light beams to generate a phase difference which is used to cancel, or multiply by an integer multiple of &pgr;, a phase difference between field vibration components, raised in the light due to the birefringence of the polarization maintaining optical fiber (15a, 15b, 15c or 15d) when the light is propagated through the latter.

Abstract: An apparatus for fixing a half mirror of an optical pickup includes a pair of left-hand-side and right-hand-side presser plate portions 12b, which are respectively extended from both side edge portions of the fastening device body 12a and caused to elastically abut against a surface of the half mirror 3. This apparatus further comprises a pair of left-hand-side and right-hand-side engaging claw portions 12c respectively bent from both side edge portions of the fastening device body 12a in a direction opposite to a direction, wherein the left-hand-side and right-hand-side presser plate portions 12b are extended, to thereby engage with the inner surface 5c, and a catch piece portion 12d bent from a central portion of the fastening device body 12a and extended to a peripheral edge of the opening portion 2a of the light passing hole 2.

Abstract: A magneto-optical flying head utilizes a steerable mirror in combination with a light source and a lens to write and read data onto a magneto-optical storage disk. A beam of laser light transmitted from the light source to the optical head is reflected onto a steerable micro-machined folding mirror. The reflected light from the folding mirror is directed through an embedded micro-objective GRIN lens. Fine tracking and short seeks to adjacent tracks are performed by rotating the mirror about an axis of rotation. In this way a focus spot is scanned back and forth in a direction which is approximately parallel to the radial direction of the storage disk.

Abstract: An optical pick-up apparatus capable of reducing an aberration having a simplified configuration of optical elements. The optical pick-up apparatus employees a dichroic optical element for forcing first and second light beams from first and second light sources to enter toward an objective lens along an identified path. The dichroic optical element compensates the aberration. As a result, the aberration of the optical pick-up apparatus is optimized.

Abstract: An optical disk drive includes two object optical systems, two carriages which respectively carry the object optical system and are movable along surfaces of an optical disk. Separated from the carriages, a separate optical unit (including a laser source module) is provided. A beam path selection system is provided for selectively introducing the beam from the laser source module to one of the object optical systems.

Abstract: An optical pickup device is positioned in confronting relationship to an optical disc for reading an information signal from and/or writing an information signal on the optical disc. The optical pickup device includes an optical unit having at least a light source for emitting a light beam and a photodetector for detecting a light beam returned from the optical recording medium, and a converging system for converging the light beam emitted from the light source onto a signal recording surface of the optical recording medium. The optical unit includes a light guide for guiding the light beam toward the converging system and a light-transmissive optical plate covering the light guide.

Abstract: In order to condense the light beam on the second optical disc 1b, the opening limiting portion 20 for limiting the beam diameter is disposed between the condenser lens 14 for condensing the light beam on the first optical disc 1a and the light sources 2 and 8, so that the light beam is condensed most suitably with the condenser lens 14 when the first optical disc 1a is read. On the other hand, when the second optical disc is read, by the opening limiting portion 20 which limits the beam diameter, even if it is the light beam which corresponds to the second optical disc 1b, it is condensed most suitably with the condenser lens 14. Further, by changing the beam diffusion angle, the generation of the wave front aberration is restrained.

Abstract: A dichroic mirror of a polarized beam splitter is installed between a mirror and an objective lens as a beam synthesize/split means, in an optical system corresponding to a second dick and an optical system corresponding to a first disk arranged so as to form a two-layer structure. The dimension of the optical head in the width, length, and thickness directions are designed moderately.

Abstract: The invention provides a pickup head used in an optical data storage system. The pickup head contains a diffractive optical element (DOE) stack on a semiconductor substrate. The DOE stack includes multiple diffractive lenses for providing several diffractive surfaces and a middle layer serving as a beamsplitter and servo-generating element for a light reflected from an optical storage medium. The middle layer is sandwiched by the diffractive lenses that are located on both outer parts of the DOE stack. The semiconductor substrate includes at least a laser source and several photodetectors. The middle layer serving its function preferably includes a polarization-selective DOE and a quarter-wave retarder oriented to rotate a polarization state of the laser source, so that only the light reflected from the optical storage medium is diffracted by the polarization-selective DOE.

Abstract: Apparatus for simultaneously recording and reading information on a medium moveable in forward and reverse directions includes a first record laser and means for establishing a first beam path for recording information on the moveable medium and a second read laser and at least one read-out detector and means for establishing a beam path so that the light from the second laser illuminates the medium and is reflected to the detector which reads recorded information.

Abstract: An optical pick-up device includes a light emitting unit for directing a laser beam onto a storage medium; a reflecting member that reflects the laser beam emitted from the light emitting unit in a direction substantially perpendicular to a storage surface of the storage medium; and a focusing member that focuses the laser beam reflected from the reflecting member onto the storage surface of the storage medium, the light emitting unit being mounted at an angle such that an axis of the laser beam directed onto the reflecting member from the light emitting unit and an axis of the laser beam reflected onto the storage medium form an angle of less than 90 degrees, a position from which the laser beam is emitted from the light emitting unit being provided in a direction closer to the storage surface of the storage medium from a center of the light emitting unit.

Abstract: A pickup apparatus 1 is directed to an apparatus for optically reading-out information on a disk 3 arranged in a disk player, and comprises a pickup 11, an LD 13, a half mirror 15, a photo detector 17, and a pickup frame 19. The 11 is for irradiating a light on the 3 and for receiving the light reflected from the 3. The 13 is for transmitting the light to the 11. The 15 is a plate shape member for reflecting the light outputted from the 13 and for transmitting the light to the 11, that the light from the 11 permeate. The light permeating through the 15 incidents on the 17. The 11, the 13, and the 17 are fixed on the 19 at predetermined positions. A side part of the 15 is fixed to the 19 at three points by using an adhesive agent.

Abstract: A swing-arm type optical recording and reproducing apparatus and an optical disk applicable to the same. The optical disk includes a substrate having an information recording surface to record and reproduce an information signal, and a protective layer which is provided on the information recording surface and whose surface facing a slider is a flat even surface so that variations in a floating height of the slider can be reduced.

Abstract: A semiconductor laser element has the following configuration: a dual-wavelength monolithic laser where semiconductor lasers with emission wavelengths of 650 nm and 780 nm are integrated on one chip is soldered on a heat sink which then is soldered on a can package. Two beam emission points of the semiconductor laser element are positioned so that beam spots, formed on an optical disk, of light beams emitted from the two semiconductor lasers are aligned substantially along a pit-row direction in the optical disk. Thus, an optical head device and an optical recording and reproducing apparatus can be obtained that can record information on or reproduce recorded information from optical information recording media with different optical characteristics and recording densities from one another and that do not cause instability in tracking servo operation.

Abstract: A rising mirror (MIR′) reflects a laser beam produced by a semiconductor laser (LD′) by a reflecting surface thereof to make the laser beam converge on a signal recording surface of an optical disc (Disc) through an objective lens (OL′) and reflects a return beam from the signal recording surface to make a photodetector (PD) detect the return beam. A rising angle (&thgr;′) between the reflecting surface of the rising mirror (MIR′) and the pickup's lower surface is smaller than 45 degrees. With this structure, optical parts including the semiconductor laser and the photodetector may be arranged in an optical base (OB) with the optical parts inclined to the optical base so that the optical parts are not jutted out the pickup's lower surface downwards.