Patent ID: 7839730

Claim:
An optical pickup comprising: (1) an objective lens; and (2) a lens holding member configured to hold the objective lens and a protection member for protecting the objective lens, wherein the lens holding member comprises: (a) a first fitting portion configured to fit to an edge portion of the objective lens; (b) a first bearing surface configured to contact a surface of the edge portion of the objective lens not facing an optical recording medium; and (c) a bonding recess configured to bond the objective lens, wherein the protection member includes the following elements (i) to (v), which are integrally formed with one another: (i) a second fitting portion configured to fit to the edge portion of the objective lens; (ii) a second bearing surface configured to contact the surface of the edge portion of the objective lens not facing the optical recording medium; (iii) an aperture configured to control a diameter of laser light to be incident on the objective lens; (iv) a protection portion protruding toward the optical recording medium with respect to the objective lens; and (v) a cut portion provided such that the cut portion faces the bonding recess and the edge portion of the objective lens that is exposed to the lens holding member from the protection member, and wherein, in the cut portion, the edge portion of the objective lens fits to the first fitting portion of the lens holding member, the surface of the edge portion of the objective lens not facing the optical recording medium contacts the first bearing surface, and adhesive is filled in the bonding recess.