Patent ID: 7342850

Claim:
A recording apparatus for recording an information on a recordable optical record carrier ( 2 ) by irradiation of a light beam onto said record carrier ( 2 ) for forming marks and lands representing said information along an information recording direction (t) , comprising: a light source ( 8 ) for generating a light beam, optical means ( 3 - 7 ) for irradiating said light beam onto said record carrier ( 2 ) wherein said optical means comprise means ( 4 ) for reducing the numerical aperture of said optical means in the direction orthogonal to the information recording direction (t) during recording of information to obtain a light beam having a substantial oval spot profile having a shorter axis in the information recording direction (t) compared to the direction (r) orthogonal thereto; and said means for reducing the numerical aperture comprise switchable means, and control means are provided for controlling said switchable means by switching said switchable means on or off by bringing said switchable means into a light path from the light source to the record carrier during recording.