Patent ID: 7801012
Filing Date: 2010-09-21
Classification: G11B

Abstract:
1. An optical pickup device comprising: a laser source which emits a laser beam having a predetermined wavelength; first and second objective lenses which cause the laser beam to converge onto a recording medium; a polarization beam splitter which is disposed between the laser source and the first and second objective tenses; a first optical system which guides the laser beam transmitted through the polarization beam splitter to the first objective lens; a second optical system which guides the laser beam reflected by the polarization beam splitter to the second objective lens; a first optical element which is disposed in the second optical system, the first optical element being moved in an optical axis direction of the laser beams to adjust an optical characteristic of the laser beam; an actuator which drives the first optical element; and a wave plate which is disposed in an optical path between the laser source and the polarization beam splitter, the wave plate being inserted in and retracted from the optical path to change the polarization direction of the laser beam incident to the polarization beam splitter, wherein the first optical element is moved in a direction in which the wave plate is inserted and retracted during the optical characteristic adjustment, the wave plate is disposed in a support portion integral with a holder holding the first optical element, the actuator moves the holder in both a stroke for the optical characteristic adjustment and an additional stroke exceeding the stroke for the optical characteristic adjustment, the holder is moved between the stroke for the optical characteristic adjustment and the additional stroke to insert and retract the wave plate in and from the optical path, the polarization direction of the laser beam incident to the polarization beam splitter is adjusted such that the laser beam is guided to the first optical system, when the holder is located in the additional stroke, and the polarization direction of the laser beam incident to the polarization beam splitter is adjusted such that the laser beam is guided to the second optical system, when the holder is located in the stroke for the optical characteristic adjustment.