JP4591602B2 - Wavelength selective diffraction element and optical head device - Google Patents

Wavelength selective diffraction element and optical head device Download PDF

Info

Publication number
JP4591602B2
JP4591602B2 JP2009012880A JP2009012880A JP4591602B2 JP 4591602 B2 JP4591602 B2 JP 4591602B2 JP 2009012880 A JP2009012880 A JP 2009012880A JP 2009012880 A JP2009012880 A JP 2009012880A JP 4591602 B2 JP4591602 B2 JP 4591602B2
Authority
JP
Japan
Prior art keywords
wavelength
light
diffraction
lambda
selective
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Fee Related
Application number
JP2009012880A
Other languages
Japanese (ja)
Other versions
JP2009093795A5 (en
JP2009093795A (en
Inventor
龍一郎 後藤
弘樹 保高
好晴 大井
玲子 野澤
憲昭 下平
亮太 村上
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
AGC Inc
Original Assignee
Asahi Glass Co Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Asahi Glass Co Ltd filed Critical Asahi Glass Co Ltd
Priority to JP2009012880A priority Critical patent/JP4591602B2/en
Publication of JP2009093795A publication Critical patent/JP2009093795A/en
Publication of JP2009093795A5 publication Critical patent/JP2009093795A5/ja
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of JP4591602B2 publication Critical patent/JP4591602B2/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Landscapes

  • Diffracting Gratings Or Hologram Optical Elements (AREA)
  • Optical Head (AREA)

Description

本発明は波長選択性回折素子および光ヘッド装置に関し、特に異なる2つの波長の光が入射される波長選択性回折素子およびこの波長選択性回折素子を搭載した光ヘッド装置に関する。   The present invention relates to a wavelength-selective diffractive element and an optical head device, and more particularly to a wavelength-selective diffractive element on which light of two different wavelengths is incident and an optical head device equipped with the wavelength-selective diffractive element.

CDやDVDなどの光ディスク、または光磁気ディスクなどの光記録媒体(以下、これらをまとめて「光ディスク」とよぶ)の情報記録面上に情報を記録し、または情報記録面上の情報を再生する光ヘッド装置が種々用いられている。これらの光ヘッド装置には回折素子が様々な用途で使用されている。   Information is recorded on or reproduced from an information recording surface of an optical recording medium such as an optical disc such as a CD or DVD, or an optical recording medium such as a magneto-optical disc (hereinafter collectively referred to as “optical disc”). Various optical head devices are used. In these optical head devices, diffractive elements are used in various applications.

光ヘッド装置では、光ディスクの情報記録面に形成されたトラック上にレーザ光を集光させながら光ディスクを回転するため、集光されたレーザ光のビームがトラックから外れないようにする必要があり、このため種々のトラッキング方法が開発されている。これらトラッキング方法の中では、情報の再生時に使用する3ビーム法がよく知られている。また情報の記録時に使用するプッシュプル法、すなわちトラックと平行に2分割された受光素子を用いて光ディスクからの反射光を受け2分割された反射光の差をとる方法、特に信号のオフセットを打ち消すための差動プッシュプル法がよく知られている。
3ビーム法および差動プッシュプル法は、回折素子が使用され、回折素子による0次回折光であるメインビームと、±1次回折光であるサブビームを発生させる点が共通している。
In the optical head device, since the optical disk is rotated while condensing the laser beam on the track formed on the information recording surface of the optical disk, it is necessary to prevent the focused laser beam from coming off the track. For this reason, various tracking methods have been developed. Among these tracking methods, the three-beam method used when reproducing information is well known. Also, a push-pull method used for recording information, that is, a method of receiving reflected light from an optical disk using a light receiving element divided in two parallel to a track and taking a difference between the two divided reflected lights, particularly canceling an offset of a signal. The differential push-pull method for this is well known.
The three-beam method and the differential push-pull method are common in that a diffractive element is used and a main beam that is 0th-order diffracted light and a sub-beam that is ± 1st-order diffracted light are generated.

近年、規格、構成などの異なるCDおよびDVDの両光ディスクの情報の記録または再生のため、CDとDVD互換型の光ヘッド装置(以下、互換型光ヘッド装置という)が注目されている。この互換型光ヘッド装置においては、CD−RなどのCD系で情報の再生を前提とする光ディスクの場合には、再生用に790nm波長帯の半導体レーザが使用される。また、DVD系の光ディスクの場合には再生用に650nm波長帯の半導体レーザが使用される。   2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, CD and DVD compatible optical head devices (hereinafter referred to as compatible optical head devices) have attracted attention for recording or reproducing information on both CD and DVD optical discs having different standards and configurations. In this compatible optical head device, a 790 nm wavelength semiconductor laser is used for reproduction in the case of an optical disc that is premised on information reproduction in a CD system such as a CD-R. In the case of a DVD optical disk, a semiconductor laser having a wavelength of 650 nm is used for reproduction.

図9の構成例を参照しながら、2つの半導体レーザが分離配置された第1の従来例の光ヘッド装置について説明する。半導体レーザ3A、3Bからの出射光は、波長合成プリズム9により同一光軸上で合成され、ビームスプリッタ4を透過した後に、コリメートレンズ5で平行光とされ、対物レンズ6を透過後、光ディスク7の情報記録面に集光される。この集光された光は情報記録面で反射され、反射された光は、往路と同じ光路を逆行する。   A first conventional optical head device in which two semiconductor lasers are separately disposed will be described with reference to the configuration example of FIG. Light emitted from the semiconductor lasers 3A and 3B is synthesized on the same optical axis by the wavelength synthesis prism 9, and after passing through the beam splitter 4, is converted into parallel light by the collimator lens 5, and after passing through the objective lens 6, the optical disc 7 Is condensed on the information recording surface. The condensed light is reflected by the information recording surface, and the reflected light travels backward along the same optical path as the forward path.

すなわち、この反射された光は、再び対物レンズ6によって平行光となり、コリメートレンズ5で集光された後、ビームスプリッタ4に入射する。このビームスプリッタ4で反射された光は、往路の光軸とは90°の角度をなす光軸に沿って進行して、光検出器8の受光面に集光される。そして信号光は、この光検出器8で電気信号に変換される。図9において、790nm(以下λともいう)波長帯の光に対して3ビーム発生用回折格子10が用いられている。 That is, the reflected light becomes parallel light again by the objective lens 6, is condensed by the collimator lens 5, and then enters the beam splitter 4. The light reflected by the beam splitter 4 travels along an optical axis that forms an angle of 90 ° with the optical axis of the forward path, and is collected on the light receiving surface of the photodetector 8. The signal light is converted into an electric signal by the photodetector 8. In FIG. 9, a three-beam generating diffraction grating 10 is used for light in the wavelength band of 790 nm (hereinafter also referred to as λ 2 ).

このような光ヘッド装置において、2つの波長の光を出射する半導体レーザとして、例えば790nm波長帯の半導体レーザと650nm(以下λともいう)波長帯の半導体レーザを1チップ内に形成したモノリシックな2波長用半導体レーザが提案されている。また、各波長帯のレーザチップを発光点間が100〜300μm程度の間隔となるように配置した複数チップからなる2波長用半導体レーザが最近提案されている。これらの半導体レーザを用いれば、図9に示した2つの半導体レーザが別々に構成された従来の光ヘッド装置に比べ部品点数が低減し、装置の小型化および低コスト化を図ることができる。そのため、2波長用半導体レーザに対応した3ビーム発生用回折格子が強く望まれている。 In such an optical head device, a semiconductor laser for emitting light of two wavelengths, for example 790 nm (hereinafter also referred to as lambda 1) semiconductor laser and 650nm wavelength band monolithic a semiconductor laser having a wavelength band formed in one chip Two-wavelength semiconductor lasers have been proposed. Further, a two-wavelength semiconductor laser composed of a plurality of chips in which laser chips of each wavelength band are arranged so that the distance between the light emitting points is about 100 to 300 μm has been recently proposed. If these semiconductor lasers are used, the number of parts can be reduced as compared with the conventional optical head device in which the two semiconductor lasers shown in FIG. 9 are separately configured, and the size and cost of the device can be reduced. Therefore, a three-beam generating diffraction grating corresponding to a two-wavelength semiconductor laser is strongly desired.

回折素子が使用されている第2の従来例の光ヘッド装置を示す。光ディスクに情報を記録する光ヘッド装置において、半導体レーザからの出射光が光ディスクにより反射されて戻り光となり、この光はビームスプリッタを用いて光検出器である受光素子へ導かれる。このビームスプリッタとして、ホログラムの回折素子(ホログラムビームスプリッタ)が使用される。   The optical head apparatus of the 2nd prior art example in which the diffraction element is used is shown. In an optical head device that records information on an optical disk, light emitted from a semiconductor laser is reflected by the optical disk to become return light, and this light is guided to a light receiving element that is a photodetector using a beam splitter. As this beam splitter, a hologram diffraction element (hologram beam splitter) is used.

図11にホログラムビームスプリッタを用いた従来の互換型光ヘッド装置の概略を示す((a)λ波長帯の光を出射する場合、(b)λ波長帯の光を出射する場合)。650nm波長帯の光および790nm波長帯の光を出射する半導体レーザ3からの出射光は、コリメートレンズ5により平行光となり、対物レンズ6により光ディスク7の面上に集光される。光ディスク7からの反射光は、再び対物レンズ6を通過し、コリメートレンズ5を通過した後、ホログラムビームスプリッタ11により光検出器8A(図11(b))または8B(図11(a))を構成する受光素子に到達する。受光素子は、受光した反射光を電気信号に変換し、電気信号はアンプで増幅され、さらに自動ゲイン補正回路でゲインがかけられて信号レベルを一定範囲に調整される。ただし、図11には、アンプおよび自動ゲイン補正回路は図示されていない。 Figure 11 shows a schematic of a conventional compatible optical head device using a hologram beam splitter ((if for emitting light of a) lambda 1 wavelength band, to emit light (b) lambda 2 wavelength band). Light emitted from the semiconductor laser 3 that emits light in the 650 nm wavelength band and light in the 790 nm wavelength band is converted into parallel light by the collimator lens 5 and is condensed on the surface of the optical disk 7 by the objective lens 6. The reflected light from the optical disc 7 passes again through the objective lens 6 and the collimating lens 5, and is then passed through the photodetector 8A (FIG. 11B) or 8B (FIG. 11A) by the hologram beam splitter 11. It reaches the constituent light receiving element. The light receiving element converts the received reflected light into an electric signal, the electric signal is amplified by an amplifier, and further gain is applied by an automatic gain correction circuit to adjust the signal level within a certain range. However, the amplifier and the automatic gain correction circuit are not shown in FIG.

一方、CDとDVD互換用の回折素子として、特許文献1に、一方の入射光に対して光路差をその波長の整数倍にし、かつ他方の入射光に対して光路差をその波長の非整数倍にした波長選択性回折素子が記載されている。以下、その説明を行う。一般に、山と谷が交互に出現する2レベル(矩形状)の回折格子の回折効率は、波長をλ、光路差をRとして以下の式で近似される。ここで、ηは0次の回折効率、ηはm次の回折効率をあらわし、またmは0以外の整数である。 On the other hand, as a diffraction element compatible with CD and DVD, Patent Document 1 discloses that an optical path difference for one incident light is an integral multiple of the wavelength and an optical path difference for the other incident light is a non-integer of the wavelength. A doubled wavelength selective diffractive element is described. This will be described below. In general, the diffraction efficiency of a two-level (rectangular) diffraction grating in which peaks and valleys appear alternately is approximated by the following equation, where λ is the wavelength and R is the optical path difference. Here, η 0 represents the zero-order diffraction efficiency, η m represents the m-order diffraction efficiency, and m is an integer other than zero.

Figure 0004591602
Figure 0004591602

ここで、一方の入射光に対してその光路差をその波長の整数倍にすると、上式より、η=1、η=0となる。さらに、他方の入射光に対して光路差がその波長の非整数倍ならば、0<η<1、0<η<1となる、波長選択性回折素子を得ることができる。 Here, when the optical path difference for one incident light is an integral multiple of the wavelength, η 0 = 1 and η m = 0 from the above equation. Furthermore, if the optical path difference with respect to the other incident light is a non-integer multiple of the wavelength, a wavelength-selective diffraction element that satisfies 0 <η 0 <1 and 0 <η m <1 can be obtained.

ここでは2レベルの回折素子の場合について説明したが、1レベル(段差)の光路差が一方の入射光に対してその波長の整数倍であり、他方の入射光に対してその波長の非整数倍であるという条件が満たされている限り、マルチレベルの格子形状、特に疑似ブレーズド格子形状においても、波長選択性回折素子を得ることができる。   Although the case of a two-level diffraction element has been described here, the optical path difference of one level (step) is an integral multiple of the wavelength for one incident light and a non-integer of the wavelength for the other incident light. As long as the condition of double is satisfied, a wavelength-selective diffraction element can be obtained even in a multi-level grating shape, particularly a pseudo-blazed grating shape.

以下に、この波長選択性回折素子を利用した、従来の光ヘッド装置の例を示す。
図13は、波長選択性回折素子が、開口制限素子として使用されている、第3の従来例の光ヘッド装置である。開口制限素子18は、合成石英ガラスなどのガラス基板からなっており、開口制限素子として使用されている従来の波長選択性回折素子の構成の一例を図12に示す。図12に示すように、開口制限素子18の周辺部にのみ、光路差がDVD系の波長λの2倍になる回折格子が形成されている。そのとき、その光路差は、CD系の波長λのほぼ1.6倍となるため、λの波長の光を透過し、λの波長の光の70%以上を回折できる。図12において、回折格子の格子面が2分割されているのは、往路と復路でともに回折された光が、非回折透過光と同じ光路を進行し、光検出器に集光されるのを防ぐためである。
Hereinafter, an example of a conventional optical head device using this wavelength selective diffraction element will be described.
FIG. 13 shows a third conventional optical head device in which the wavelength selective diffraction element is used as an aperture limiting element. The aperture limiting element 18 is made of a glass substrate such as synthetic quartz glass, and FIG. 12 shows an example of the configuration of a conventional wavelength selective diffraction element used as the aperture limiting element. As shown in FIG. 12, only in the periphery of the aperture limiting element 18 is a diffraction grating whose optical path difference is twice the wavelength λ 1 of the DVD system. At that time, since the optical path difference is approximately 1.6 times the wavelength λ 2 of the CD system, light having a wavelength of λ 1 can be transmitted and 70% or more of light having a wavelength of λ 2 can be diffracted. In FIG. 12, the grating surface of the diffraction grating is divided into two parts because the light diffracted in both the forward path and the return path travels along the same optical path as the non-diffracted transmitted light and is condensed on the photodetector. This is to prevent it.

図13に示すように、半導体レーザ3A、3Bからの出射光は、波長合成プリズム9により同一光軸上で合成され、ビームスプリッタ4を透過した後に、コリメートレンズ5により平行光となり、開口制限素子18に入射する。λの光は開口制限素子18の周辺部(図12(b)の斜線部)、中心部(図12(b)の円内部)で回折されることなく透過し、対物レンズ6によりDVD系の光ディスク7の情報記録面に焦点を結ぶ(図13(a))。 As shown in FIG. 13, the emitted light from the semiconductor lasers 3A and 3B is synthesized on the same optical axis by the wavelength synthesis prism 9, and after passing through the beam splitter 4, becomes collimated light by the collimator lens 5 and becomes an aperture limiting element. 18 is incident. The light of λ 1 is transmitted without being diffracted at the peripheral part (shaded part in FIG. 12B) and the central part (inside the circle in FIG. 12B) of the aperture limiting element 18, and the DVD system is transmitted by the objective lens 6. The optical disc 7 is focused on the information recording surface (FIG. 13A).

また、λの光は開口制限素子18の周辺部では回折され、中心部を透過した光のみが、小さい開口数で光ディスク7の情報記録面に集光される(図13(b))。光ディスクからの反射光は、再び対物レンズ6、開口制限素子18、コリメートレンズ5を透過した後、ビームスプリッタ4に入射する。このビームスプリッタ4で反射された光は、往路の光軸とは90°の角度をなす光軸に沿って進行して、光検出器8の受光面に集光される。そして信号光は、この光検出器8で電気信号に変換される。なお、図13(b)では省略されているが、開口制限素子18により回折されたλの光も、光ディスク7の情報記録面に集光され、反射された後、信号光と同様の光路を進行し、光検出器8の、受光面とは異なる部分に集光される。 Further, the light of λ 2 is diffracted at the peripheral portion of the aperture limiting element 18 and only the light transmitted through the central portion is condensed on the information recording surface of the optical disc 7 with a small numerical aperture (FIG. 13B). The reflected light from the optical disk passes through the objective lens 6, the aperture limiting element 18, and the collimating lens 5 again and then enters the beam splitter 4. The light reflected by the beam splitter 4 travels along an optical axis that forms an angle of 90 ° with the optical axis of the forward path, and is collected on the light receiving surface of the photodetector 8. The signal light is converted into an electric signal by the photodetector 8. Although omitted in FIG. 13B, the light of λ 2 diffracted by the aperture limiting element 18 is also collected on the information recording surface of the optical disc 7 and reflected, and then the same optical path as the signal light. The light is focused on a portion of the photodetector 8 that is different from the light receiving surface.

図15には、波長選択性回折素子が、波長選択性の偏向素子として使用されている第4の従来例の光ヘッド装置が示されている。波長選択性偏向素子は、合成石英ガラスなどのガラス基板からなっており、従来の波長選択性回折素子の構成の他の例である図14に示すように、1レベル(段差)の光路差RがDVD系の波長λに等しくなる、5〜7レベル(4〜6段)のマルチレベルの疑似ブレーズド回折格子19が形成されている(図14では6レベル(5段)の格子が示されているが、このレベル数に限定されない)。 FIG. 15 shows a fourth conventional optical head device in which a wavelength-selective diffraction element is used as a wavelength-selective deflecting element. The wavelength selective deflection element is made of a glass substrate such as synthetic quartz glass, and as shown in FIG. 14 which is another example of the configuration of the conventional wavelength selective diffraction element, the optical path difference R of one level (step). is but equal to the wavelength lambda 1 of DVD system, shown lattice of 5-7 multilevel pseudo blazed diffraction grating 19 level (4-6 steps) are formed (FIG. 14 6 level (5-stage) But not limited to this number of levels).

このとき、λの波長の光を回折せず透過し、λの波長の光を60%以上、一つの回折次数で回折させて、偏向させることができる。
図15に示すように、2波長用半導体レーザ3の1つの発光点から出射された波長λの出射光(図15(a))と、それとは異なる発光点から出射された波長λの出射光(図15(b))は、ビームスプリッタ4を透過した後に、コリメートレンズ5により平行光となり、対物レンズ6により光ディスク7の情報記録面に集光される。
At this time, light having a wavelength of λ 1 is transmitted without being diffracted, and light having a wavelength of λ 2 can be diffracted by one diffraction order by 60% or more and deflected.
As shown in FIG. 15, the emitted light of wavelength λ 1 (FIG. 15A) emitted from one light emitting point of the two-wavelength semiconductor laser 3 and the wavelength λ 2 emitted from a different light emitting point. The outgoing light (FIG. 15B) passes through the beam splitter 4, becomes parallel light by the collimating lens 5, and is condensed on the information recording surface of the optical disk 7 by the objective lens 6.

光ディスク7からの反射光は、再び対物レンズ6、コリメートレンズ5を透過した後、ビームスプリッタ4に入射し、このビームスプリッタ4で反射された光は、往路の光軸とは90°の角度をなす光軸に沿って進行して、波長選択性偏向素子19に入射する。波長選択性偏向素子19に入射した波長λの光は、波長選択性偏向素子19で偏向されることなく透過した後、光検出器8の受光面に集光される(図15(a))。一方、波長選択性偏向素子19に入射した波長λの光は、波長選択性偏向素子19で偏向された後、波長λの光の検出器8と同一の光検出器の受光面に集光される(図15(b))。 The reflected light from the optical disk 7 passes through the objective lens 6 and the collimating lens 5 again and then enters the beam splitter 4. The light reflected by the beam splitter 4 has an angle of 90 ° with the optical axis of the forward path. The light travels along the optical axis and enters the wavelength selective deflecting element 19. The light of wavelength λ 1 incident on the wavelength selective deflecting element 19 is transmitted without being deflected by the wavelength selective deflecting element 19 and then condensed on the light receiving surface of the photodetector 8 (FIG. 15A). ). On the other hand, the light of wavelength λ 2 incident on the wavelength selective deflection element 19 is deflected by the wavelength selective deflection element 19 and then collected on the light receiving surface of the same photodetector as the light detector 8 of wavelength λ 1. It is illuminated (FIG. 15 (b)).

しかし、第1の従来例の光ヘッド装置の場合、すなわち3ビーム法や差動プッシュプル法で用いる3ビーム発生用の回折素子を2波長用半導体レーザと組み合わせて使用する場合、次の問題が発生する。すなわち、CD系の光ディスク用790nm波長帯およびDVD系の光ディスク用650nm波長帯のいずれの入射光に対しても回折素子は、回折効果を有して回折光が発生する。その結果、望まない不要な回折光が迷光となって光検出器に混入して、情報の記録または再生ができなくなる。また、一方の光ディスク用入射光の3ビーム発生用に設けられた回折格子が、他方の光ディスク用入射光を回折し不要回折光を発生して、光量損失を招き信号光を減少させるなどの問題が生ずる。   However, in the case of the optical head device of the first conventional example, that is, when the diffraction element for generating three beams used in the three-beam method or the differential push-pull method is used in combination with the two-wavelength semiconductor laser, the following problems occur. appear. That is, the diffractive element generates a diffracted light with a diffractive effect with respect to any incident light in the 790 nm wavelength band for CD optical disks and the 650 nm wavelength band for DVD optical disks. As a result, unwanted unwanted diffracted light becomes stray light and enters the photodetector, making it impossible to record or reproduce information. In addition, the diffraction grating provided for generating three beams of incident light for one optical disk diffracts the incident light for the other optical disk to generate unnecessary diffracted light, resulting in loss of light quantity and reducing signal light. Will occur.

この問題を解決する方法として、前述のように、特許文献1には、一方の入射光に対して光路差をその波長の整数倍にし、かつ他方の入射光に対して光路差をその波長の非整数倍にした波長選択性回折素子を形成することが記載されている。しかし、一方の波長帯の入射光に対して光路差をその波長の整数倍にする条件が、他方の波長に対する設計の自由度を少なくし、回折効率選択の自由度を少なくするため、満足できるものではなかった。   As a method for solving this problem, as described above, in Patent Document 1, the optical path difference is set to an integral multiple of the wavelength of one incident light, and the optical path difference of the other incident light is set to the wavelength. It describes that a wavelength-selective diffraction element having a non-integer multiple is formed. However, the condition that the optical path difference is an integral multiple of the wavelength of incident light in one wavelength band is satisfactory because it reduces the degree of design freedom for the other wavelength and the degree of freedom in selecting diffraction efficiency. It was not a thing.

また、第2の従来例の光ヘッド装置の場合、すなわちホログラムビームスプリッタをモノリシックな2波長用半導体レーザと組み合わせて使用する場合、次の問題が発生する。すなわち、格子ピッチがPの回折素子からなるホログラムビームスプリッタに波長λの光が入射したとき、光の回折角をθとするとsinθは、λ/Pに比例する。このため、650nm波長帯と790nm波長帯の光とでは波長が異なるため回折角が異なり、同一の光検出器で回折光を受光するとき受光面積を大型化する必要がある。   In the case of the optical head device of the second conventional example, that is, when the hologram beam splitter is used in combination with a monolithic two-wavelength semiconductor laser, the following problem occurs. That is, when light having a wavelength λ is incident on a hologram beam splitter composed of a diffraction element having a grating pitch P, sin θ is proportional to λ / P, where θ is the diffraction angle of the light. For this reason, the 650 nm wavelength band and the 790 nm wavelength band have different wavelengths, so the diffraction angles are different, and it is necessary to enlarge the light receiving area when receiving the diffracted light with the same photodetector.

大型化することにより、高周波特性が劣化して光ディスクの高速再生ができない問題がある。また、650nm波長帯と790nm波長帯の光に対し光検出器のそれぞれ受光面を形成した場合、受光素子数が2倍に増加し、この増加に伴って信号処理回路も複雑になる問題が生じる。   When the size is increased, there is a problem that high-frequency characteristics are deteriorated and the optical disk cannot be reproduced at high speed. In addition, when each light receiving surface of the photodetector is formed for light in the 650 nm wavelength band and the 790 nm wavelength band, the number of light receiving elements increases twice, and this increases the complexity of the signal processing circuit. .

この問題を解決する方法として、特許文献2には、光路差がDVD系の波長λと等しい回折格子と、回折格子が形成してある基板面とは別の面に、光路差がCD系の波長λと等しい回折格子とを形成し、小型の同一の光検出器で信号を検出することが記載されている。 As a method for solving this problem, Patent Document 2 discloses that a diffraction grating having an optical path difference equal to the wavelength λ 1 of the DVD system and a surface different from the substrate surface on which the diffraction grating is formed have an optical path difference of the CD system. Is formed to form a diffraction grating having the same wavelength λ 2 and detect a signal with the same small photodetector.

しかし、前述の回折効率の式は、回折格子の光路差と比較して回折格子のピッチが非常に大きいと考えられる場合にのみ成立する近似式であり、格子の光路差が大きくなる、または格子ピッチが小さくなるにつれて、近似式が成立しなくなる。光路差を波長のn倍(nは自然数)、すなわち前述の式でη=1、η=0となる条件に設定しても、実際にはη=1にならない、またはη=0にならないことがある。上記の近似式が成り立たなくなることは、回折格子の共鳴現象と呼ばれ、格子ピッチが小さくなる、または光路差が大きくなるにつれてより近似式の不成立が顕著に表れる。 However, the above-described diffraction efficiency formula is an approximation formula that is established only when the pitch of the diffraction grating is considered to be very large compared to the optical path difference of the diffraction grating, and the optical path difference of the grating becomes large, or As the pitch becomes smaller, the approximate expression no longer holds. Even if the optical path difference is set to n times the wavelength (n is a natural number), that is, in the above equation, η 0 = 1 and η m = 0, the actual condition does not satisfy η 0 = 1, or η m = It may not be zero. The fact that the above approximate expression does not hold is called a resonance phenomenon of the diffraction grating, and as the grating pitch becomes smaller or the optical path difference becomes larger, the approximate expression becomes more inconspicuous.

通常、このホログラムビームスプリッタの格子ピッチは5μm以下と小さく、光路差と比較して格子ピッチが小さいため、前述した共鳴現象により、透過させたい波長の透過率が低下する問題を有していた。   Usually, the grating pitch of the hologram beam splitter is as small as 5 μm or less, and the grating pitch is small compared to the optical path difference. Therefore, there is a problem that the transmittance of the wavelength to be transmitted is lowered due to the resonance phenomenon described above.

また、第3の従来例の光ヘッド装置の場合、信号検出用の受光素子に、開口制限素子により回折された波長λの不要な光が信号検出用の受光素子に入射しないようにするため、回折格子のピッチを小さくして回折光の回折角度を大きくする必要がある。しかし、前述のように、回折格子のピッチを小さくすると、透過させたいλの波長の光の透過率が低下し、開口制限素子としての特性が低下する問題を有していた。 Further, in the case of the optical head device of the third conventional example, in order to prevent unnecessary light of wavelength λ 2 diffracted by the aperture limiting element from entering the signal detecting light receiving element. It is necessary to reduce the pitch of the diffraction grating and increase the diffraction angle of the diffracted light. However, as described above, when the pitch of the diffraction grating is reduced, the transmittance of light having a wavelength of λ 1 to be transmitted is reduced, and the characteristics as an aperture limiting element are deteriorated.

また、第4の従来例の光ヘッド装置の場合、波長λの光を透過させ、波長λの光を回折させるためには、擬似ブレーズド回折格子のレベル数を5〜7と多くする必要があった。多くすると合計の光路差は、波長λの4〜6倍と長くなるため、透過させたいλの波長の光の透過率が低下し、波長選択性偏向素子としての特性が低下する問題を有していた。 Further, in the case of the fourth conventional example of an optical head apparatus, transmits light of the wavelength lambda 1, in order to diffract the light of the wavelength lambda 2 it is necessary to increase the number of levels of the pseudo blazed diffraction grating and 5-7 was there. If the number is increased, the total optical path difference becomes as long as 4 to 6 times the wavelength λ 1 , so that the transmittance of light having the wavelength of λ 1 to be transmitted is lowered and the characteristics as a wavelength selective deflecting element are deteriorated. Had.

特開平4−129040号公報Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-129040 特開2000−76689号公報JP 2000-76689 A

本発明の目的は、上記の問題を解決し、さらに設計自由度の大きい、すなわち、回折効率が任意に設定でき、また、透過させたい波長の光に対して光路差が発生せず、格子ピッチが小さくても、透過させたい波長の透過率が低下しない波長選択性回折素子を提供することである。またこの波長選択性回折素子と2波長用半導体レーザを備えた情報の記録および再生を、安定して行える光ヘッド装置を提供することにある。   The object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems and to have a high degree of design freedom, that is, the diffraction efficiency can be set arbitrarily, and no optical path difference occurs with respect to light having a wavelength to be transmitted, and the grating pitch. It is an object to provide a wavelength selective diffraction element in which the transmittance of a wavelength to be transmitted does not decrease even when the wavelength is small. Another object of the present invention is to provide an optical head device capable of stably recording and reproducing information provided with this wavelength selective diffraction element and a two-wavelength semiconductor laser.

本発明は、波長λおよび波長λ(λ<λ)の2つの光を入射させて用い、期的凹凸状の格子を表面に形成した透明基板と、前記格子の凹凸部に充填された充填部材とを備え、前記凹凸部を形成する凹凸部材または前記充填部材のいずれかが前記波長λよりも短い波長域に光の吸収端を有する材料を含んで、前記波長λ の光に対する屈折率が前記波長λ の光の屈折率より高く、かつ前記凹凸部材と前記充填部材とは、前記波長λ の光または前記波長λ の光のいずれか一方の波長の光に対しては同じ屈折率を有しこの一方の波長の光を回折せず透過し、他方の波長の光に対しては異なる屈折率を有しこの他方の波長の光を回折することを特徴とする波長選択性回折素子を提供する。 The present invention uses by the incidence of two optical wavelengths lambda 1 and wavelength λ 2 (λ 1 <λ 2 ), a periodic concavo-convex shaped grating and a transparent substrate formed on the surface, the concavo-convex portion of the grating and a filling member filled, comprise a material in which any of the uneven member or the filling member to form the uneven portion has an absorption edge of light in a wavelength range shorter than the wavelength lambda 1, the wavelength lambda high refractive index than the refractive index of the wavelength lambda 2 of light on the first light, and the a uneven member and the filling member, either one wavelength of the wavelength lambda 1 of the light or the wavelength lambda 2 of light It has the same refractive index for light and transmits light of one wavelength without being diffracted, and has a different refractive index for light of the other wavelength and diffracts light of this other wavelength. A wavelength selective diffractive element is provided.

また、波長λおよび波長λの2つの光を出射する光源と、前記2つの光を光記録媒体に集光する対物レンズと、前記2つの光の光記録媒体からの反射光を検出する光検出器とを備え、前記光源と前記対物レンズとの間の光路中に、上記の波長選択性回折素子が設置されていることを特徴とする光ヘッド装置を提供する。 Further, to detect a light source for emitting two light wavelengths lambda 1 and wavelength lambda 2, an objective lens for focusing the two light to the optical recording medium, the reflected light from the optical recording medium of the two optical An optical head device comprising: a photodetector ; wherein the wavelength selective diffraction element is disposed in an optical path between the light source and the objective lens.

本発明の波長選択性回折素子を用いれば、特定の波長に対して3ビームを発生する回折格子やホログラムビームスプリッタとして機能する光学素子が実現する。このような波長選択性回折素子を光ヘッド装置に搭載することにより、CD系とDVD系の光に対して独立に回折効率や回折角度を設定できるため、おのおのの光学系で最適に光ディスクの情報を検出できる。   By using the wavelength selective diffraction element of the present invention, an optical element that functions as a diffraction grating or a hologram beam splitter that generates three beams for a specific wavelength is realized. By mounting such a wavelength-selective diffractive element in the optical head device, the diffraction efficiency and angle can be set independently for CD and DVD light. Can be detected.

さらに、本発明の波長選択性回折素子を用いた光ヘッド装置では、2波長用半導体レーザの搭載による半導体レーザ数の削減に加えて、さらに装置の部品点数の削減および小型化が実現できるとともに、CD系光ディスクおよびDVD系光ディスクの情報の記録および再生において、光利用効率の高い安定した記録および再生性能が実現できる。   Furthermore, in the optical head device using the wavelength selective diffraction element of the present invention, in addition to the reduction in the number of semiconductor lasers by mounting the semiconductor laser for two wavelengths, it is possible to further reduce the number of parts and the size of the device, In recording and reproduction of information on CD optical discs and DVD optical discs, stable recording and reproduction performance with high light utilization efficiency can be realized.

本発明の波長選択性回折素子の第1の態様を示す図で、(a)波長λの光が入射したときの様子を示す側面図、(b)波長λの光が入射したときの様子を示す側面図。It is a figure which shows the 1st aspect of the wavelength selective diffraction element of this invention, (a) The side view which shows a mode when the light of wavelength (lambda) 1 injects, (b) When the light of wavelength (lambda) 2 injects The side view which shows a mode. 本発明の波長選択性回折素子の第2の態様を示す図で、(a)波長λの光が入射したときの様子を示す側面図、(b)波長λの光が入射したときの様子を示す側面図。It is a figure which shows the 2nd aspect of the wavelength selective diffraction element of this invention, (a) The side view which shows a mode when the light of wavelength (lambda) 1 injects, (b) When the light of wavelength (lambda) 2 injects The side view which shows a mode. 本発明の波長選択性回折素子の第3の態様を示す図で、図1と図2の波長選択性回折素子を積層した波長選択性回折素子であり、(a)波長λの光が入射したときの様子を示す側面図、(b)波長λの光が入射したときの様子を示す側面図。It is a figure which shows the 3rd aspect of the wavelength selective diffraction element of this invention, and is a wavelength selective diffraction element which laminated | stacked the wavelength selective diffraction element of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, (a) Light of wavelength (lambda) 1 injects The side view which shows a mode when it does, (b) The side view which shows a mode when the light of wavelength (lambda) 2 injects. 本発明の波長選択性回折素子の第4の態様を示す図で、図1と図2の波長選択性回折素子を積層した波長選択性回折素子であり、(a)波長λの光が入射したときの様子を示す側面図、(b)波長λの光が入射したときの様子を示す側面図。It is a figure which shows the 4th aspect of the wavelength selective diffraction element of this invention, and is a wavelength selective diffraction element which laminated | stacked the wavelength selective diffraction element of FIG . 1 and FIG. 2, (a) Light of wavelength (lambda) 1 injects The side view which shows a mode when it does, (b) The side view which shows a mode when the light of wavelength (lambda) 2 injects. 本発明の波長選択性回折素子の第5の態様を示す図で、図3の波長選択性回折素子に位相板を組み合わせた波長選択性回折素子であり、(a)波長λの光が入射したときの様子を示す側面図、(b)波長λの光が入射したときの様子を示す側面図。FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a fifth embodiment of the wavelength selective diffraction element of the present invention, which is a wavelength selective diffraction element in which a phase plate is combined with the wavelength selective diffraction element of FIG. 3, and (a) light having a wavelength λ 1 is incident The side view which shows a mode when it does, (b) The side view which shows a mode when the light of wavelength (lambda) 2 injects. 本発明の波長選択性回折素子の第6の態様を示す図で、図4の波長選択性回折素子に位相板を組み合わせた波長選択性回折素子であり、(a)波長λの光が入射したときの様子を示す側面図、(b)波長λの光が入射したときの様子を示す側面図。It is a figure which shows the 6th aspect of the wavelength selective diffraction element of this invention, and is a wavelength selective diffraction element which combined the phase plate with the wavelength selective diffraction element of FIG. 4, (a) Light of wavelength (lambda) 1 injects The side view which shows a mode when it does, (b) The side view which shows a mode when the light of wavelength (lambda) 2 injects. 本発明の波長選択性回折素子の第7の態様を示す図で、図3の波長選択性回折素子に位相板を組み合わせた波長選択性回折素子であり、(a)波長λの光が入射したときの様子を示す側面図、(b)波長λの光が入射したときの様子を示す側面図。It is a figure which shows the 7th aspect of the wavelength selective diffraction element of this invention, and is a wavelength selective diffraction element which combined the phase plate with the wavelength selective diffraction element of FIG. 3, (a) Light of wavelength (lambda) 1 injects The side view which shows a mode when it does, (b) The side view which shows a mode when the light of wavelength (lambda) 2 injects. 本発明の光ヘッド装置の第1の態様を示す概略的側面図。1 is a schematic side view showing a first aspect of an optical head device of the present invention. 従来の光ヘッド装置の一つの例を示す概略的側面図。FIG. 10 is a schematic side view showing an example of a conventional optical head device. 本発明の光ヘッド装置の第2の態様を示す概略的側面図。FIG. 5 is a schematic side view showing a second aspect of the optical head device of the present invention. 従来の光ヘッド装置の他の例を示す図で、(a)波長λの光が回折される様子を示す概略的側面図、(b)波長λの光が回折される様子を示す概略的側面図。It is a figure which shows the other example of the conventional optical head apparatus, (a) Schematic side view which shows a mode that the light of wavelength (lambda) 1 is diffracted, (b) The outline which shows a mode that the light of wavelength (lambda) 2 is diffracted Side view. 従来の波長選択性回折素子の一つの例を示す図で、(a)、(b)断面図。It is a figure which shows one example of the conventional wavelength selective diffraction element, (a), (b) Sectional drawing. 従来の光ヘッド装置の別の例を示す図で、(a)波長λ1の光で記録、再生が行われている様子を示す概略的側面図、(b)波長λ の光で記録、再生が行われている様子を示す概略的側面図。It is a figure which shows another example of the conventional optical head apparatus, (a) Schematic side view which shows a mode that recording and reproduction | regeneration are performed with the light of wavelength (lambda) 1, (b) Recording and reproduction | regeneration with the light of wavelength (lambda) 2 The schematic side view which shows a mode that is performed. 従来の波長選択性回折素子の他の例を示す図で、(a)、(b)断面図。It is a figure which shows the other example of the conventional wavelength selective diffraction element, (a), (b) Sectional drawing. 従来の光ヘッド装置のさらに別の例を示す図で、(a)波長λ の光で記録、再生が行われている様子を示す概略的側面図、(b)波長λ の光で記録、再生が行われている様子を示す概略的側面図。In view showing still another example of a conventional optical head device, (a) the wavelength lambda recorded in a light, play a schematic side view showing a state that has been performed, recorded in (b) the wavelength lambda 2 of light The schematic side view which shows a mode that reproduction | regeneration is performed. 本発明の波長選択性回折素子の第8の態様を示す図で、(a)波長λの光が入射したときの様子を示す側面図、(b)波長λの光が透過、回折される様子を示す側面図。It is a figure which shows the 8th aspect of the wavelength selective diffraction element of this invention, (a) The side view which shows a mode when the light of wavelength (lambda) 1 injects, (b) The light of wavelength (lambda) 2 is permeate | transmitted and diffracted FIG. 本発明の光ヘッド装置の第3の態様を示す図で、(a)波長λの光で記録、再生が行われている様子を示す概略的側面図、(b)波長λの光で記録、再生が行われている様子を示す概略的側面図。A diagram showing a third embodiment of the optical head device of the present invention, (a) the wavelength lambda recorded in a light, reproduction schematic side view showing a state in which have been made, in the light of (b) the wavelength lambda 2 The schematic side view which shows a mode that recording and reproduction | regeneration are performed. 本発明の波長選択性回折素子の第9の態様を示す図で、(a)波長λの光が入射したときの様子を示す側面図、(b)波長λの光が回折される様子を示す側面図。It is a figure which shows the 9th aspect of the wavelength selective diffraction element of this invention, (a) A side view which shows a mode when the light of wavelength (lambda) 1 injects, (b) A mode that the light of wavelength (lambda) 2 is diffracted FIG. 本発明の光ヘッド装置の第4の態様を示す図で、(a)波長λの光で記録、再生が行われている様子を示す概略的側面図、(b)波長λの光で記録、再生が行われている様子を示す概略的側面図。It is a figure which shows the 4th aspect of the optical head apparatus of this invention, (a) The schematic side view which shows a mode that recording and reproduction | regeneration is performed with the light of wavelength (lambda) 1 , (b) With the light of wavelength (lambda) 2 The schematic side view which shows a mode that recording and reproduction | regeneration are performed.

「波長選択性回折素子の第1の実施態様」
図1に示す本実施態様の波長選択性回折素子1Aに、波長λと波長λの(λ<λ)光が入射する(図1(a)波長λの光が入射する様子を示す、図1(b)波長λの光が入射する様子を示す)。波長選択性回折素子1Aは、格子の凹凸部である回折格子12A(凹凸部材からなる)を表面に形成している透明基板11Aと、その間に充填される充填部材13Aとを備える回折素子であり、透明基板14Aで充填部材13Aが保護されている。波長λの光に対しては回折格子12Aと充填部材13Aの屈折率が等しく、波長λの光に対しては回折格子12Aと充填部材13Aの屈折率が異なる。
“First Embodiment of Wavelength Selective Diffraction Element”
12 ) light having a wavelength λ 1 and a wavelength λ 2 is incident on the wavelength selective diffraction element 1A of the present embodiment shown in FIG. 1 (FIG. 1 (a) the light having the wavelength λ 1 is incident. FIG. 1B shows a state where light having a wavelength λ 2 is incident). The wavelength-selective diffractive element 1A is a diffractive element including a transparent substrate 11A having a diffraction grating 12A (consisting of a concavo-convex member), which is a concavo-convex portion of the grating, on the surface, and a filling member 13A filled therebetween. The filling member 13A is protected by the transparent substrate 14A. Wavelength lambda equal refractive index of the diffraction grating 12A filling member 13A with respect to the first light, the refractive index of the diffraction grating 12A and the filler member 13A is different with respect to the wavelength lambda 2 of light.

ここで、回折格子12Aまたは充填部材13Aのいずれかは、波長λよりも短い波長域に光の吸収端(波長)を有す有機物顔料を含んでいる。ここで含んでいるという意味は、凹凸部材または充填部材が、有機物顔料を実際上含有する(含まれる)場合と有機物顔料そのものが両部材の一方を構成している場合のことである。しかし、有機物顔料を含む場合が多いので、以下では実際上、有機物顔料が含まれる、として説明する。 Here, one of the diffraction grating 12A or the filling member 13A, includes organic pigments having a absorption edge of light (wavelength) in a wavelength range shorter than the wavelength lambda 1. The meaning of containing here is a case where the concavo-convex member or the filling member actually contains (includes) an organic pigment and a case where the organic pigment itself constitutes one of the two members. However, since organic pigments are often included, the following description will be made assuming that organic pigments are actually included.

例えば、回折格子12Aに有機物顔料が含まれているとすると、異常分散効果により回折格子12Aの、波長λにおける屈折率と波長λにおける屈折率の差を、充填部材13Aの屈折率の差よりも大きくできる。したがって、有機物顔料が含まれている回折格子12Aと充填部材13Aとの材料を適切に選択すれば(有機物顔料も適切に選択する)、これら材料の波長λにおける屈折率の差をゼロとし波長λにおける屈折率の差を大きくできる。 For example, assuming that contains organic pigment in the diffraction grating 12A, the diffraction grating 12A by anomalous dispersion effect, the difference in the refractive index in the refractive index and the wavelength lambda 2 at a wavelength lambda 1, the difference in the refractive index of the filling member 13A Can be bigger. Accordingly, if the material of the diffraction grating 12A containing the organic pigment and the filling member 13A are appropriately selected (and the organic pigment is also appropriately selected), the difference in refractive index at the wavelength λ 1 of these materials is set to zero. The difference in refractive index at λ 2 can be increased.

このため、波長λの光が回折格子12Aを通過するときには、屈折率が等しいため、回折格子の機能は発生せず直進透過する。一方、波長λの光が透過するときには、屈折率が異なるため回折格子として機能し、回折格子12Aの高さdと格子形状により回折効率を変化させることができ、また回折格子12Aの格子ピッチを変化させることにより回折角度を変化させることができる。 Therefore, when the wavelength lambda 1 of the light passes through the diffraction grating 12A because the same refractive index, the function of the diffraction grating is straightly transmitted without generating. On the other hand, when the light of wavelength λ 2 is transmitted, it functions as a diffraction grating because the refractive index is different, and the diffraction efficiency can be changed by the height d 1 of the diffraction grating 12A and the grating shape, and the grating of the diffraction grating 12A. The diffraction angle can be changed by changing the pitch.

ここで、異常分散効果による屈折率の差を利用するのは、分散曲線における異常分散領域ではなく、この領域からは外れているが異常分散効果により屈折率が大きく変化した領域である。また、常分散領域の全波長領域で屈折率が全体的に高い方へシフトするので、この効果も利用できる。以下、同様である。   Here, the difference in refractive index due to the anomalous dispersion effect is utilized not in the anomalous dispersion region in the dispersion curve but in a region where the refractive index has greatly changed due to the anomalous dispersion effect. In addition, this effect can also be used because the refractive index is shifted to the higher overall in the entire wavelength region of the normal dispersion region. The same applies hereinafter.

上記において、回折格子12Aに有機物顔料が含まれているとしたが、充填部材13Aに有機物顔料が含まれているとしても、同様である。
有機物顔料は分子骨格や置換基を変えることにより、容易に波長分散(屈折率の波長依存性)を変えることができる点で優れている。さらに、有機物顔料は染料などと異なり、耐熱性、照射性などが優れていて耐久性がある。
In the above description, the organic pigment is included in the diffraction grating 12A. However, the same applies to the case where the filling member 13A includes an organic pigment.
Organic pigments are excellent in that the wavelength dispersion (the wavelength dependence of the refractive index) can be easily changed by changing the molecular skeleton or substituent. Furthermore, unlike pigments, organic pigments have excellent heat resistance and radiation resistance and are durable.

波長λにおける凹凸部材と充填部材との屈折率の差が大きいほど格子の深さを浅くでき、回折効率の入射角度依存性が低減できて好ましい。しかし、現実に存在する光学材料の波長λにおける屈折率分散と吸収量の関係を考慮すると、屈折率の差は0.02から0.10までの値をとることができる。 The larger the difference in refractive index between the concavo-convex member and the filling member at the wavelength λ 2, the smaller the depth of the grating, which is preferable because the dependency of diffraction efficiency on the incident angle can be reduced. However, in consideration of the relationship between the refractive index dispersion at the wavelength λ 2 and the absorption amount of the optical material that actually exists, the difference in refractive index can take a value from 0.02 to 0.10.

「波長選択性回折素子の第2の実施態様」
図2に示す本実施態様の波長選択性回折素子1Bは、凹凸部材からなる回折格子12Bを表面に形成している透明基板と、その間に充填される充填部材13Bとを備える回折素子である。波長λの光に対しては回折格子12Bと充填部材13Bの屈折率が異なり(図(a))、波長λの光に対しては回折格子12Bと充填部材13Bの屈折率が等しい(図(b))。11B、14Bなど11A、14Aとはアルファベットは異なっているが、同じ数字のものは図1と同じ構成要素を示し、透明基板である。
“Second Embodiment of Wavelength Selective Diffraction Element”
A wavelength-selective diffraction element 1B according to this embodiment shown in FIG. 2 is a diffraction element including a transparent substrate on the surface of which a diffraction grating 12B made of a concavo-convex member is formed, and a filling member 13B filled therebetween. For the wavelength lambda 1 of light different from the refractive index of the diffraction grating 12B and the filling member 13B (FIG. 2 (a)), equal to the refractive index of the diffraction grating 12B and the filling member 13B with respect to the wavelength lambda 2 of light (FIG. 2 (b)). Although 11A and 14A such as 11B and 14B have different alphabets, the same numerals indicate the same components as in FIG. 1 and are transparent substrates.

本実施態様でも、回折格子12Bまたは充填部材13Bのいずれかに、波長λよりも短い波長域に光の吸収端を有する有機物顔料が含まれている。例えば、回折格子12Bに有機物顔料が含まれているとすると、異常分散効果により回折格子12Bの、波長λにおける屈折率と波長λにおける屈折率の差を、充填部材13Bの屈折率の差よりも大きくできる。したがって、有機物顔料が含まれている回折格子12Bと充填部材13Bとの材料を適切に選択すれば(有機物顔料も適切に選択する)、これら材料の波長λにおける屈折率の差を大きくし波長λにおける屈折率の差をゼロとできる。 Also in this embodiment, an organic pigment having a light absorption edge in a wavelength region shorter than the wavelength λ 1 is included in either the diffraction grating 12B or the filling member 13B. For example, assuming that contains organic pigment in the diffraction grating 12B, the diffraction grating 12B with anomalous dispersion effect, the difference in the refractive index in the refractive index and the wavelength lambda 2 at a wavelength lambda 1, the difference in the refractive index of the filling member 13B Can be bigger. Therefore, if the material of the diffraction grating 12B containing the organic pigment and the filling member 13B are appropriately selected (and the organic pigment is also appropriately selected), the difference in refractive index at the wavelength λ 1 of these materials is increased and the wavelength is increased. The difference in refractive index at λ 2 can be zero.

このとき、回折格子12Bを波長λの光が透過するときには、波長選択性回折素子1Bは回折格子として機能し、格子ピッチの大きさに応じて特定の角度で回折される。直進光の透過効率と回折光の回折効率は、回折格子12Bの高さdや格子形状を変えることで変化できる。一方、波長λの光が透過するときは回折されることなく直進透過する。 At this time, when the light of wavelength λ 1 is transmitted through the diffraction grating 12B, the wavelength selective diffraction element 1B functions as a diffraction grating and is diffracted at a specific angle according to the size of the grating pitch. The diffraction efficiency of the transmission efficiency and the diffraction light of the rectilinear light can vary by changing the height d 2 and lattice shape of the diffraction grating 12B. On the other hand, when light of wavelength λ 2 is transmitted, it is transmitted straight without being diffracted.

「波長選択性回折素子の第3の実施態様」
図3に示す本実施態様の波長選択性回折素子1Cは、第1と第2の実施態様の波長選択性回折素子を組み合わせたものである。波長選択性回折素子1Cは、回折格子12Cを表面に形成している透明基板11Cと、回折格子15Cを表面に形成している透明基板16Cとを備え、充填部材13Cと14Cとにより透明基板17Cが挟まれている積層構造を有する。ここで、波長λの光に対しては回折格子12Cと充填部材13Cの屈折率が等しく、波長λの光に対しては回折格子12Cと充填部材13Cの屈折率が異なる。
“Third Embodiment of Wavelength Selective Diffraction Element”
A wavelength selective diffraction element 1C of this embodiment shown in FIG. 3 is a combination of the wavelength selective diffraction elements of the first and second embodiments. The wavelength-selective diffractive element 1C includes a transparent substrate 11C having a diffraction grating 12C formed on the surface and a transparent substrate 16C having a diffraction grating 15C formed on the surface, and the transparent substrate 17C is formed by the filling members 13C and 14C. Has a laminated structure in which Here, with respect to the wavelength lambda 1 of the light equal to the refractive index of the diffraction grating 12C and the filling member 13C, the refractive index of the diffraction grating 12C filling member 13C with respect to the wavelength lambda 2 of light is different.

また、波長λの光に対しては回折格子15Cと充填部材14Cの屈折率が異なり、波長λの光に対しては回折格子15Cと充填部材14Cの屈折率が等しい。したがって、図3(a)が示す波長選択性回折素子1Cの上側の部分は図2(a)、下側の部分は図1(a)がそれぞれ示すように、波長λの光は回折格子15Cで回折され、回折格子12Cを透過し、15Cのみが回折格子として作用する。 Also, different refractive index of the diffraction grating 15C and the filling member 14C with respect to the wavelength lambda 1 of the light, equal to the refractive index of the diffraction grating 15C and the filling member 14C with respect to the wavelength lambda 2 of light. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 2A for the upper portion of the wavelength selective diffraction element 1C shown in FIG. 3A and for the lower portion of FIG. 1A, the light of wavelength λ 1 is a diffraction grating. It is diffracted at 15C, passes through the diffraction grating 12C, and only 15C acts as a diffraction grating.

一方、図3(b)が示す波長選択性回折素子1Cの上側の部分は図2(b)、下側の部分は図1(b)がそれぞれ示すように、波長λの光は回折格子15Cを透過し、回折格子12Cで回折され、12Cのみが回折格子として作用する。したがって、ひとつの複合化された素子で2種の波長に対して、それぞれ独立に回折素子として機能する。 On the other hand, and FIG. 3 (b) the upper portion of the wavelength-selective diffraction element 1C shown is FIG. 2 (b), as shown FIG. 1 the lower part (b), respectively, light of the wavelength lambda 2 is diffracted grating The light passes through 15C and is diffracted by the diffraction grating 12C, and only 12C acts as the diffraction grating. Therefore, each composite element functions as a diffraction element independently for two types of wavelengths.

「波長選択性回折素子の第4の実施態様」
また、図3に示す波長選択性回折素子1Cにおける透明基板17Cを用いず、図4に示す本実施態様の波長選択性回折素子1Dのように、透明基板11D上に形成された回折格子12Dと透明基板15D上に形成された回折格子14Dとが充填部材13Dを介して積層されている構造としてもよい。波長λおよびλに対する充填部材と回折格子の屈折率の値の関係は、第3の実施態様の場合と同様である。
“Fourth Embodiment of Wavelength Selective Diffraction Element”
Further, the transparent substrate 17C in the wavelength selective diffraction element 1C shown in FIG. 3 is not used, and the diffraction grating 12D formed on the transparent substrate 11D as in the wavelength selective diffraction element 1D of this embodiment shown in FIG. A structure in which the diffraction grating 14D formed on the transparent substrate 15D is stacked via the filling member 13D may be employed. The relationship between the refractive index values of the filling member and the diffraction grating with respect to the wavelengths λ 1 and λ 2 is the same as that in the third embodiment.

第4の実施態様において、有機物顔料は回折格子12Dおよび14Dに含ませるか、または充填部材13Dに含ませる。図4(a)に示す波長選択性回折素子1Dの場合、波長λの光は回折格子14Dで回折され、回折格子12Dを回折せず透過して、14Dのみが回折格子として作用する。一方、図4(b)に示す波長選択性回折素子1Dの場合、波長λの光は回折格子14Dを透過し、回折格子12Dで回折され、1Dのみが回折格子として作用する。
したがって、本実施態様においても、ひとつの複合化された素子で2種の波長に対して、それぞれ独立に回折素子として機能する。

In the fourth embodiment, the organic pigment is included in the diffraction gratings 12D and 14D or included in the filling member 13D. Figure 4 when a wavelength-selective diffraction element 1D shown in (a), light of the wavelength lambda 1 is diffracted by the diffraction grating 14D, transmission to without diffraction grating 12D, 14D only acts as a diffraction grating. On the other hand, in the case of the wavelength selective diffraction element 1D shown in FIG. 4B, the light with the wavelength λ 2 is transmitted through the diffraction grating 14D and diffracted by the diffraction grating 12D, and only 1 2 D acts as the diffraction grating.
Therefore, also in this embodiment, each compounded element functions as a diffraction element independently for two types of wavelengths.

「波長選択性回折素子の第5の実施態様」
図5に示す本実施態様の波長選択性回折素子1Eは、第3の実施態様で説明した波長選択性回折素子1Cにおいて、透明基板11Cの外側(図では下側)に位相板12Eが設けられ、その上に透明基板11Eを配置した構成となっている。位相板12Eとしては、1/2波長板、1/4波長板などを挙げることができる。位相板12Eを波長選択性回折素子と一体化することにより、小型でありながら入射光に対して回折効果と偏光状態を変化させる効果を合わせ持たせることができ好ましい。
“Fifth Embodiment of Wavelength Selective Diffraction Element”
The wavelength-selective diffraction element 1E of this embodiment shown in FIG. 5 is the same as the wavelength-selective diffraction element 1C described in the third embodiment, except that a phase plate 12E is provided on the outer side (lower side in the figure) of the transparent substrate 11C. The transparent substrate 11E is arranged thereon. Examples of the phase plate 12E include a half-wave plate and a quarter-wave plate. By integrating the phase plate 12E with the wavelength selective diffraction element, it is preferable that the diffraction effect and the effect of changing the polarization state can be combined with the incident light while being small.

ここで、図5(a)は波長λの光が回折格子15Cにより回折され、0次回折光および±1次回折光が位相板12Eを透過する様子を示し、図5(b)は波長λの光回折格子12Cにより回折され、0次回折光および±1次回折光が位相板12Eを透過する様子を示している。 Here, FIG. 5A shows a state in which the light of wavelength λ 1 is diffracted by the diffraction grating 15C, and the 0th-order diffracted light and the ± 1st-order diffracted light pass through the phase plate 12E, and FIG. 5B shows the wavelength λ 2. This shows that the 0th-order diffracted light and the ± 1st-order diffracted light are diffracted by the optical diffraction grating 12C and transmitted through the phase plate 12E.

「波長選択性回折素子の第6の実施態様」
図6に示す本実施態様の波長選択性回折素子1Fは、第4の実施態様で説明した波長選択性回折素子において、透明基板11Dの外側に位相板12Fが設けられ、その上に透明基板11Fを配置した構成となっている。図6(a)には波長λが入射し、図6(b)には波長λが入射する様子を示している。位相板12Fを波長選択性回折素子と一体化することにより、第5の実施態様の波長選択性回折素子1Eよりもさらに小型でありながら入射光に対して回折効果と偏光状態を変化させる効果を合わせもつことができ好ましい。また、波長選択性回折素子1Fは、波長選択性回折素子1Eより透明基板が1枚数少ないので、作製の工程数が減り好ましい。
“Sixth Embodiment of Wavelength Selective Diffraction Element”
A wavelength-selective diffraction element 1F of this embodiment shown in FIG. 6 is the same as the wavelength-selective diffraction element described in the fourth embodiment, except that a phase plate 12F is provided outside the transparent substrate 11D, and the transparent substrate 11F is provided thereon. It is the composition which arranged. FIG. 6A shows a state in which the wavelength λ 1 is incident, and FIG. 6B shows a state in which the wavelength λ 2 is incident. By integrating the phase plate 12F with the wavelength selective diffraction element, the diffraction effect and the polarization state can be changed with respect to incident light while being smaller than the wavelength selective diffraction element 1E of the fifth embodiment. It can be combined and is preferable. Further, the wavelength selective diffraction element 1F is preferable because the number of manufacturing steps is reduced because the number of transparent substrates is one less than that of the wavelength selective diffraction element 1E.

「波長選択性回折素子の第7の実施態様」
図7に示す本実施態様の波長選択性回折素子1Gは、第5の実施態様で導入した位相板を位相板11Gとして充填部材13Cと14Cとの間に配置されている。この場合、有機物顔料は、回折格子15C、12Cにともに含まれていてもよいし、充填部材14Cと13Cにともに含まれていてもよいし、一方の回折格子15Cと他方の充填部材13Cであってもよいし、または一方の充填部材14Cと他方の回折格子12Cに含まれていてもよい。位相板11Gとしては、1/2波長板、1/4波長板などが挙げられる。
“Seventh Embodiment of Wavelength Selective Diffraction Element”
The wavelength-selective diffraction element 1G of this embodiment shown in FIG. 7 is arranged between the filling members 13C and 14C using the phase plate introduced in the fifth embodiment as the phase plate 11G. In this case, the organic pigment may be included in both of the diffraction gratings 15C and 12C, may be included in the filling members 14C and 13C, or may be included in one diffraction grating 15C and the other filling member 13C. Or may be included in one filling member 14C and the other diffraction grating 12C. Examples of the phase plate 11G include a half-wave plate and a quarter-wave plate.

図7(a)に示すように、入射した波長λの光は回折格子15Cにより±1次回折光に分離され、または0次回折光は透過されて、ともに位相板11Gへ進み、±1次回折光および0次回折光は、偏光状態が変化する。これらの光はさらに、次の回折格子12Cへ進むが13Cと12Cの屈折率が等しいため、回折されずに透過する。 As shown in FIG. 7A, the incident light of wavelength λ 1 is separated into ± 1st order diffracted light by the diffraction grating 15C, or 0th order diffracted light is transmitted, and both proceed to the phase plate 11G, and ± 1st order diffracted light. The polarization state of the 0th-order diffracted light changes. These lights further proceed to the next diffraction grating 12C, but are transmitted without being diffracted because the refractive indexes of 13C and 12C are equal.

図7(b)に示すように、入射した波長λの光は、回折格子15Cでは回折されず、透過して位相板11Gへ進み偏光状態が変化して、回折格子12Cへ進む。入射光は、回折格子12Cによって、±1次回折光および0次回折光とに分離される。 As shown in FIG. 7B, the incident light of wavelength λ 2 is not diffracted by the diffraction grating 15C, passes through to the phase plate 11G, changes its polarization state, and proceeds to the diffraction grating 12C. The incident light is separated into ± 1st order diffracted light and 0th order diffracted light by the diffraction grating 12C.

図7に示すように、位相板11Gを回折格子15Cと12Cとの間に配置することにより、位相板を一体化している第6の実施形態の波長選択性回折素子1Fと比較して、波長選択性回折素子1Gは透明基板の枚数を1枚少なくでき、作製の工程数が減り、さらに素子厚を薄くできて好ましい。   As shown in FIG. 7, the phase plate 11G is disposed between the diffraction gratings 15C and 12C, so that the wavelength selective diffraction element 1F according to the sixth embodiment in which the phase plates are integrated is compared with the wavelength. The selective diffraction element 1G is preferable because the number of transparent substrates can be reduced by one, the number of manufacturing steps can be reduced, and the element thickness can be reduced.

以上、第1〜7の実施態様において、波長選択性回折素子の説明をした。1つの波長選択性回折素子の場合、2つの波長選択性回折素子を積層する場合、さらに、2つの波長選択性回折素子と位相板とを積層する場合について説明したが、1つの波長選択性回折素子と位相板とを積層して使用することもできる。   The wavelength selective diffraction element has been described in the first to seventh embodiments. In the case of one wavelength-selective diffraction element, the case where two wavelength-selective diffraction elements are laminated, and the case where two wavelength-selective diffraction elements and a phase plate are laminated are described. An element and a phase plate can be laminated and used.

波長選択性回折素子においては、格子高さd、dまたは格子形状を変化させることで回折効率を変ることができるので、3ビーム発生用素子またはホログラムビームスプリッタとして、好適な効率が得られる格子高さを用いればよい。また、波長選択性回折素子の凹凸部を階段状の多段ステップまたはブレーズド回折格子の格子形状にすることにより、特定の次数の回折効率を高めて用いてもよい。回折角度についても、所望の回折角度となるような格子ピッチとすればよく、これらは従来の3ビーム発生用素子やホログラムビームスプリッタに用いられている手法をそのまま、波長選択性回折素子に採用できる。 In the wavelength selective diffractive element, the diffraction efficiency can be changed by changing the grating height d 1 , d 2 or the grating shape, so that a suitable efficiency can be obtained as a three-beam generating element or a hologram beam splitter. The lattice height may be used. Further, the diffraction efficiency of a specific order may be increased by using a stepped multi-step or a blazed diffraction grating as the concavo-convex portion of the wavelength selective diffraction element. The diffraction angle may also be set to a grating pitch that achieves a desired diffraction angle, and these methods can be used for wavelength selective diffraction elements as they are, as they are for conventional three-beam generating elements and hologram beam splitters. .

上記において、2つの波長選択性回折素子の組み合わせ方について、波長λ1、波長λいずれの波長の光に対しても回折格子として機能する場合を説明した。しかし、波長λの光に対しては3ビーム発生用回折格子およびホログラムビームスプリッタとして機能し、波長λの光に対しては回折格子として機能しない組み合わせでもよく、また、その逆の場合であってもよい。選択的に回折させる波長とその回折格子の機能は、目的に応じて組み合わせて採用できる。
上記において、格子高さd、dが回折効率に寄与し格子ピッチが回折方向に寄与することを述べたが、格子高さが低いほど格子形状のエッジにダレが少なく、またファインピッチを作製しやすいなど形状制御性に優れており好ましい。さらに、格子高さが低いほど素子の作製時間の短縮ができ工程上も好ましい。
In the above description, the combination of the two wavelength-selective diffraction elements has been described with respect to the case where it functions as a diffraction grating with respect to light having both wavelengths λ 1 and λ 2 . However, to function as a three-beam generating diffraction grating and the hologram beam splitter with respect to the wavelength lambda 1 of the light may be a combination that does not function as a diffraction grating for the wavelength lambda 2 of the light, and in the opposite case There may be. The wavelength to be selectively diffracted and the function of the diffraction grating can be used in combination depending on the purpose.
In the above description, it has been described that the grating heights d 1 and d 2 contribute to the diffraction efficiency and the grating pitch contributes to the diffraction direction. However, the lower the grating height, the less the sagging at the edge of the grating shape, and the fine pitch. It is preferable because of its excellent shape controllability such as easy production. Further, the lower the lattice height, the shorter the device manufacturing time, which is preferable in terms of the process.

上記のように、凹凸部材または充填部材に、2つの波長λおよびλ(λ<λ)のうち短い方の波長λより短い波長域に吸収端を有する有機物顔料を含ませて、異常分散効果により屈折率の増加を発生させる。 As described above, an organic pigment having an absorption edge in a wavelength region shorter than the shorter wavelength λ 1 of the two wavelengths λ 1 and λ 212 ) is included in the concavo-convex member or the filling member. Increases the refractive index due to the anomalous dispersion effect.

例えば、図1に示す、充填部材13Aに有機物顔料が含まれているとして、回折格子12A(凹凸部材からなる)と充填部材13Aとの波長λの光に対する屈折率をそれぞれn12A(λ)、n13A(λ)、λの光に対する屈折率をそれぞれn12A(λ)、n13A(λ)とする。波長λに対して(図1(a))、n12A(λ)=n13A(λ)であり、波長λに対して(図1(b))、n12A(λ)>n13A(λ)であって、n12A(λ)−n13A(λ)を大きくできる。 For example, assuming that the filling member 13A shown in FIG. 1 contains an organic pigment, the refractive indexes of the diffraction grating 12A (made of a concavo-convex member) and the filling member 13A with respect to light of wavelength λ 1 are expressed as n 12A1 ), N 13A1 ), and the refractive index for the light of λ 2 are n 12A2 ) and n 13A2 ), respectively. For wavelength λ 1 (FIG. 1A), n 12A1 ) = n 13A1 ), and for wavelength λ 2 (FIG. 1B), n 12A2 ) > N 13A2 ), and n 12A2 ) −n 13A2 ) can be increased.

回折格子12Aに有機物顔料が含まれているとすると、波長λに対して(図1(a))、n12A(λ)=n13A(λ)であり、波長λに対して(図1(b))、n13A(λ)>n12A(λ)であって、n13A(λ)−n12A(λ)を大きくできる。すなわち、波長λの光に対して波長選択性回折素子は回折の効果を有さず、波長λの光に対して回折の効果を有する。 If an organic pigment is included in the diffraction grating 12A, n 12A1 ) = n 13A1 ) for the wavelength λ 1 (FIG. 1 (a)), and for the wavelength λ 2 (FIG. 1B), n 13A2 )> n 12A2 ), and n 13A2 ) −n 12A2 ) can be increased. That is, the wavelength-selective diffraction element for light of a wavelength lambda 1 has no diffraction effect, an effect of diffraction to light having a wavelength lambda 2.

また、例えば図2に示す充填部材13Bに有機物顔料が含まれているとして、回折格子12Bと充填部材13Bとの波長λの光に対する屈折率をそれぞれn12B(λ)、n13B(λ)、波長λの光に対する屈折率をそれぞれn12B(λ)、n13B(λ)とする。波長λに対して(図2(a))、n13B(λ)>n12B(λ)であり、n13B(λ)−n12B(λ)を大きくすることができ、また波長λに対して(図2(b))、n12B(λ)=n13B(λ)である。 回折格子12Bに有機物顔料が含まれているとすると、波長λに対して(図2(a))、n12B(λ)>n13B(λ)であり、n12B(λ)−n13B(λ)を大きくすることができ、また波長λに対して(図2(b))、n12B(λ)=n13B(λ)である。
すなわち、波長λの光に対して波長選択性回折素子は回折の効果を有し、波長λの光に対して回折の効果を有しない。
上記のように、凹凸部材または充填部材に有機物顔料を用いると、一方の波長(例えばλ)の光に対してはこれら2つの材料間の屈折率を等しくしておきながら、他方の波長(例えばλ)の光に対し屈折率の差を大きくできる。
Further, for example, assuming that an organic pigment is contained in the filling member 13B shown in FIG. 2, the refractive indices of the diffraction grating 12B and the filling member 13B with respect to light of wavelength λ 1 are n 12B1 ) and n 13B1 ) and the refractive indices for light of wavelength λ 2 are n 12B2 ) and n 13B2 ), respectively. N 13B1 )> n 12B1 ) with respect to wavelength λ 1 (FIG. 2A), and n 13B1 ) −n 12B1 ) can be increased. For the wavelength λ 2 (FIG. 2B), n 12B2 ) = n 13B2 ). If an organic pigment is contained in the diffraction grating 12B, n 12B1 )> n 13B1 ) and n 12B1 ) with respect to the wavelength λ 1 (FIG. 2A). −n 13B1 ) can be increased, and for the wavelength λ 2 (FIG. 2B), n 12B2 ) = n 13B2 ).
That no, has the effect of a wavelength-selective diffraction element is a diffraction with respect to the wavelength lambda 1 of the light, the effect of diffraction with respect to the wavelength lambda 2 of light.
As described above, when an organic pigment is used for the concavo-convex member or the filling member, with respect to light of one wavelength (for example, λ 1 ), the refractive index between these two materials is made equal while the other wavelength ( For example, the difference in refractive index can be increased with respect to light of λ 2 ).

有機物顔料は蒸着法などにより製膜してもよいし、また有機物顔料を樹脂バインダ、重合性モノマ、重合開始材、増感剤、溶剤、界面活性剤などに混合し適宜調整した組成物を用いて製膜してもよい。組成物を用いる場合には透明基板上に組成物を塗布した後、溶媒を加熱除去しさらに重合硬化させるとよい。また、必要に応じて重合硬化後、加熱処理してもよい。   The organic pigment may be formed by a vapor deposition method or the like, or the organic pigment is mixed with a resin binder, a polymerizable monomer, a polymerization initiator, a sensitizer, a solvent, a surfactant, etc., and an appropriately adjusted composition is used. You may form into a film. In the case of using the composition, after applying the composition on a transparent substrate, the solvent is preferably removed by heating and further polymerized and cured. Moreover, you may heat-process after polymerization hardening as needed.

上記組成物において、有機物顔料がエッチングできるレジスト中に含まれた場合には、選択的に硬化させた残りの末重合硬化部をエッチング処理し、容易に所望の格子形状を作製することができ好ましく、さらに前記レジストがフォトレジストである場合はフォトリソグラフィにより直接格子が形成でき特に好ましい。   In the above composition, when the organic pigment is contained in a resist that can be etched, the remaining polymerized and cured portion selectively cured can be etched to easily produce a desired lattice shape. Furthermore, when the resist is a photoresist, a lattice can be directly formed by photolithography, which is particularly preferable.

波長λおよび波長λがそれぞれ650nm波長帯および790nm波長帯である場合には、赤色有機物顔料が好適に用いられる。
赤色有機物顔料は上記いずれの波長帯でも顕著な吸収がなく、高い透過率が実現できる。一方で650nmより短い波長で吸収が現れ、その後波長の減少に応じて急激に吸収が増加し、550nm近傍に吸収極大を有するため、異常分散効果により、790nm波長帯、650nm波長帯で、屈折率の差の大きな値を実現できる。
In the case where the wavelength λ 1 and the wavelength λ 2 are the 650 nm wavelength band and the 790 nm wavelength band, respectively, a red organic pigment is preferably used.
The red organic pigment has no significant absorption in any of the above wavelength bands and can achieve high transmittance. On the other hand, absorption appears at a wavelength shorter than 650 nm, and then the absorption rapidly increases as the wavelength decreases and has an absorption maximum in the vicinity of 550 nm. Therefore, due to the anomalous dispersion effect, the refractive index is increased in the 790 nm wavelength band and the 650 nm wavelength band. A large value can be realized.

黄色有機物顔料は赤色有機物顔料と比較すると、吸収端が短波長域の500nm付近にある。このため、CD系の790nm波長帯、DVD系の650nm波長帯では吸収がないため透過率は高く良好な材料であるが、反面波長分散が大きい領域が赤色有機物顔料より全体的に短波長域にシフトしており、650nm波長帯と790nm波長帯の屈折率の差は小さい値しか得られない。   The yellow organic pigment has an absorption edge near 500 nm in the short wavelength region as compared with the red organic pigment. For this reason, there is no absorption in the CD-type 790 nm wavelength band and the DVD-type 650 nm wavelength band, and thus the transmittance is a good material. However, on the other hand, the region where the wavelength dispersion is large is shorter than the red organic pigment. The difference between the refractive indexes of the 650 nm wavelength band and the 790 nm wavelength band is small.

赤色顔料としては、ジケトピロロピロール系、アンスラキノン系、キナクリドン系、縮合アゾ系、ペリレン系などに分類される有機物顔料を採用できる。これらの有機物顔料は単独で用いてもよいし、2種または3種以上を混合して用いてもよい。なかでも、ピグメントレッド(Pigment Red) 254に代表されるジケトピロロピロール系やピグメントレッド177に代表されるアンスラキノン系は耐久性に優れており、本素子の赤色有機物顔料として好ましく用いられる。   As the red pigment, organic pigments classified into diketopyrrolopyrrole, anthraquinone, quinacridone, condensed azo, perylene and the like can be used. These organic pigments may be used alone or in combination of two or more. Especially, the diketopyrrolopyrrole type represented by Pigment Red 254 and the anthraquinone type represented by Pigment Red 177 are excellent in durability, and are preferably used as the red organic pigment of this element.

赤色有機物顔料が含まれたフォトレジストは、液晶ディスプレイ用のカラーフィルタの作製に用いられており、市販のカラーフィルタ用レジストの一部はそのまま使用できる。また、赤色有機物顔料、樹脂バインダ、重合性モノマ重合開始材、増感剤、溶剤、界面活性剤などの濃度や化合物を必用に応じて調整してもよい。   Photoresists containing red organic pigments are used in the production of color filters for liquid crystal displays, and some commercially available color filter resists can be used as they are. Moreover, you may adjust the density | concentrations and compounds, such as a red organic pigment, a resin binder, a polymeric monomer polymerization initiator, a sensitizer, a solvent, and surfactant, as needed.

赤色有機物顔料を用いてなる格子の凹凸部材または充填部材などについては、いずれの場合も、形成(製膜)後の光の吸収特性が以下のように調整されることが好ましい。吸収端の波長は580nmから620nmまでの範囲にあることが好ましく、吸収端の波長は複素屈折率n(λ)=n(λ)+i・k(λ)(実数部n(λ)は通常の屈折率、虚数部i・k(λ)のうちk(λ)は吸収係数、λは波長)において、波長を減少させていくとき、波長650nm以下で初めてk(λ)が0.01を超える波長λを吸収端と定義する。 In any case, it is preferable that the light absorption characteristics after formation (film formation) be adjusted as follows for the concave-convex member or the filling member of the lattice formed using the red organic pigment. The wavelength at the absorption edge is preferably in the range from 580 nm to 620 nm, and the wavelength at the absorption edge is complex refractive index n * (λ) = n (λ) + i · k (λ) (the real part n (λ) is usually Of the imaginary part i · k (λ), k (λ) is the absorption coefficient, and λ is the wavelength). When the wavelength is decreased, k (λ) becomes 0.01 for the first time at a wavelength of 650 nm or less. The exceeding wavelength λ is defined as the absorption edge.

k(λ)を0.01としたのは、k(λ)を0から増加させるときに、0に近くかつ測定誤差より大きくて、明らかに増加傾向が把握できる値であることによる。この吸収端の波長が620nmより大きい場合には、吸収損失(透過率の低下)が問題になり、また580nmより小さい場合には、650nm波長帯と790nm波長帯との間で大きな波長分散を得ることが困難である。   The reason why k (λ) is set to 0.01 is that when k (λ) is increased from 0, the value is close to 0 and larger than the measurement error, and the increase tendency can be clearly grasped. When the wavelength of the absorption edge is larger than 620 nm, absorption loss (decrease in transmittance) becomes a problem. When the wavelength is smaller than 580 nm, a large chromatic dispersion is obtained between the 650 nm wavelength band and the 790 nm wavelength band. Is difficult.

大きな波長分散を得る観点から、波長の減少とともに吸収係数が急激に増加することが必要である。赤色有機物顔料は波長550nm近傍で吸収極大を有するので、この波長で吸収係数が大きな値であるとよい。本発明の例1、例3、例4、例10、例11に用いた有機物顔料の550nmにおける吸収係数kと650nmと790nmの屈折率の差(△n)を表1に示した。   From the viewpoint of obtaining large chromatic dispersion, it is necessary that the absorption coefficient increases rapidly as the wavelength decreases. Since the red organic pigment has an absorption maximum in the vicinity of a wavelength of 550 nm, the absorption coefficient is preferably a large value at this wavelength. Table 1 shows the absorption coefficient k at 550 nm and the difference in refractive index (Δn) between 650 nm and 790 nm of the organic pigments used in Examples 1, 3, 4, 10, and 11 of the present invention.

Figure 0004591602
Figure 0004591602

ショット(SCHOTT)社の光学ガラスカタログにおいて、波長分散の大きい光学ガラスとしてフリントガラスが記載されている。商品名SF6やSF58などのフリントガラスの△nは、おのおの0.012、0.015である。これらの値と比較すると、赤色有機物顔料を用いた表1中でk(550nm)が0.05以下である場合には異常分散効果により△nが大きな値を得ているとは言い難い。したがって、波長550nmでの吸収係数kについては0.05より大きいことが好ましい。   In the optical glass catalog of SCHOTT, flint glass is described as an optical glass having a large wavelength dispersion. Δn of flint glass such as trade names SF6 and SF58 is 0.012 and 0.015, respectively. Compared with these values, it is difficult to say that Δn is large due to the anomalous dispersion effect when k (550 nm) is 0.05 or less in Table 1 using the red organic pigment. Therefore, the absorption coefficient k at a wavelength of 550 nm is preferably larger than 0.05.

また、上記の有機物顔料を含むレジストを硬化前にエッチングして格子を作製する方法以外にも、硬化後の部材(膜や蒸着膜)をフォトリソグラフィとエッチング処理により格子を形成してもよく、また、基板表面に形成された格子の凹凸部に有機物顔料を含んだレジストを充填部材として充填してもよい。他の充填部材としては、光硬化型樹脂、熱硬化型樹脂などが挙げられる。   In addition to the above method of etching a resist containing an organic pigment before curing to form a lattice, a cured member (film or vapor deposition film) may be formed by photolithography and etching treatment, In addition, a resist containing an organic pigment may be filled as a filling member in the uneven portions of the lattice formed on the substrate surface. Examples of other filling members include a photocurable resin and a thermosetting resin.

前述の赤色有機物顔料を含んでいる組成物の△nが大きい程、赤色有機物顔料組成物の膜厚が薄くできるため好ましく、△nが大きくなると波長650nmにおける屈折率も高くなる。このため、光硬化型樹脂、熱硬化型樹脂としても波長650nmにおける屈折率が高いものが好ましく、1.6以上のものが好ましく用いられる。   The larger the Δn of the composition containing the red organic pigment described above, the smaller the film thickness of the red organic pigment composition, which is preferable. The larger the Δn, the higher the refractive index at a wavelength of 650 nm. For this reason, as a photocurable resin and a thermosetting resin, those having a high refractive index at a wavelength of 650 nm are preferable, and those having a refractive index of 1.6 or more are preferably used.

このような光硬化型樹脂、熱硬化型樹脂としては、特開平2000−309584に記載があるような下記の式1で表される化合物を含んでいる組成物は屈折率が高く、かつ屈折率の波長分散が小さく本用途として好ましく用いることができる。しかし、この化合物に限定されない。   As such a photocurable resin and a thermosetting resin, a composition containing a compound represented by the following formula 1 as described in JP-A No. 2000-309958 has a high refractive index and a refractive index. Can be preferably used in this application. However, it is not limited to this compound.

Figure 0004591602
Figure 0004591602

式中、R1〜Rはそれぞれ炭素数1〜10の炭化水素基または水素を表す。XはSまたはOを示し、このSの個数は三員環を構成するSとOの合計に対して、50%以上である。YはO、S、SeまたはTeを表し、pは0〜6、qは0〜4の範囲の整数である。 In formula, R < 1 > -R < 6 > represents a C1-C10 hydrocarbon group or hydrogen, respectively. X represents S or O, and the number of S is 50% or more with respect to the total of S and O constituting the three-membered ring. Y represents O, S, Se or Te, p is 0-6, q is an integer in the range of 0-4.

基板表面に格子を形成するには、基板そのものをエッチング処理、金型成型などしてもよいし、また基板に別の光学材料をコーティングなどした後、この光学材料をエッチング処理や金型成型して格子を作製してもよい。また、上記の蒸着などで製膜され有機物顔料もこれに含まれる。
以下、波長選択性回折素子が光ヘッド装置に搭載された場合を説明する。
In order to form a lattice on the substrate surface, the substrate itself may be etched or molded, or another optical material may be coated on the substrate, and then this optical material is etched or molded. A lattice may be produced. In addition, organic pigments formed by the above evaporation are also included.
Hereinafter, a case where the wavelength selective diffraction element is mounted on the optical head device will be described.

「光ヘッド装置の第1の実施態様」
図8は本発明の光ヘッド装置の第1の態様を示し、波長選択性回折素子として、CD用の3ビームを発生する波長選択性回折素子1A(図1)を用いた光ヘッド装置である。このように構成された光ヘッド装置において、2波長用半導体レーザ3(DVD系光ディスク用の波長λのレーザ光を出射する半導体レーザとCD系光ディスク用の波長λのレーザ光を出射する半導体レーザとが一体化されている)から出射した波長λの光は、波長選択性回折素子1Aにより回折されることなく直進透過し、さらにビームスプリッタ4を透過し、コリメートレンズ5により平行光となる。
“First Embodiment of Optical Head Device”
FIG. 8 shows a first embodiment of the optical head device of the present invention, which is an optical head device using a wavelength selective diffraction element 1A (FIG. 1) that generates three CD beams as a wavelength selective diffraction element. . In the optical head device configured as described above, a two-wavelength semiconductor laser 3 (a semiconductor laser emitting a laser beam having a wavelength λ 1 for a DVD optical disk and a semiconductor emitting a laser beam having a wavelength λ 2 for a CD optical disk) The light having the wavelength λ 1 emitted from the laser (integrated with the laser) passes straight through without being diffracted by the wavelength selective diffraction element 1 A, further passes through the beam splitter 4, and is collimated by the collimator lens 5. Become.

その後、この平行光は、対物レンズ6により光ディスク7(DVD系)の情報記録トラック上に集光される。そして、光ディスク7で反射された光は、再び対物レンズ6およびコリメートレンズ5を透過し、ビームスプリッタ4により反射されて光検出器8の受光面に集光される。   Thereafter, the parallel light is condensed on the information recording track of the optical disc 7 (DVD system) by the objective lens 6. Then, the light reflected by the optical disk 7 passes through the objective lens 6 and the collimating lens 5 again, is reflected by the beam splitter 4, and is collected on the light receiving surface of the photodetector 8.

一方、2波長用半導体レーザ3から出射した波長λの光は、波長選択性回折素子1Aにより出射光の一部(例えば、5%〜40%)が±1次回折光として回折されるが、±1次回折光を含めこの光はさらにビームスプリッタ4を透過し、コリメートレンズ5により平行光にされる。その後、この平行光は対物レンズ6により光ディスク7(CD系)の情報記録トラック上に、0次回折光および±1次回折光が3ビームとなって集光される。そして、光ディスク7により反射された光は、再び対物レンズ6およびコリメートレンズ5を透過し、ビームスプリッタ4により反射されて、0次回折光および±1次回折光はそれぞれ光検出器8の受光面に集光される。 On the other hand, a part of the emitted light (for example, 5% to 40%) of the light of wavelength λ 2 emitted from the two-wavelength semiconductor laser 3 is diffracted as ± first-order diffracted light by the wavelength selective diffraction element 1A. This light including the ± first-order diffracted light further passes through the beam splitter 4 and is collimated by the collimating lens 5. Thereafter, the parallel light is condensed by the objective lens 6 onto the information recording track of the optical disk 7 (CD system) as three beams of 0th order diffracted light and ± 1st order diffracted light. Then, the light reflected by the optical disk 7 passes through the objective lens 6 and the collimating lens 5 again and is reflected by the beam splitter 4, and the 0th-order diffracted light and the ± 1st-order diffracted light are collected on the light receiving surface of the photodetector 8. Lighted.

上記のように、本発明の波長選択性回折素子1Aを搭載した光ヘッド装置の場合、波長λの光は波長選択性回折素子により回折されることなく直進透過するため、効率低下をもたらさずまた迷光も発生しない。したがって、DVD系の光ディスクでは、DVD系の光検出器(4分割受光面)を用いて、1ビームを使用する位相差法によるトラッキング誤差信号検出、さらに非点収差法による光ディスク面へのフォーカシング誤差信号検出、および記録情報であるピット信号検出が安定して行える。 As described above, when the optical head device provided with the wavelength-selective diffraction element 1A of the present invention, in order to straightly transmitted without light of wavelength lambda 1 is diffracted by the wavelength-selective diffraction element, without causing decrease in efficiency No stray light is generated. Therefore, in a DVD-type optical disk, a tracking error signal is detected by a phase difference method using one beam using a DVD-type photodetector (four-divided light receiving surface), and further, a focusing error on the optical disk surface by an astigmatism method is detected. Signal detection and pit signal detection as recording information can be performed stably.

一方、CD系の光ディスクでは、DVD系と同一の4分割受光面の光検出器8を用いて、非点収差法による光ディスク情報記録面へのフォーカシング誤差信号検出およびピット信号検出が行われる。さらに光検出器における他の2つの受光面で±1次回折光を受光することにより、3ビーム法によるトラッキング誤差信号検出が行われる。   On the other hand, in a CD-type optical disc, focusing error signal detection and pit signal detection on the optical disc information recording surface are performed by the astigmatism method using the same photodetector 8 with a four-divided light receiving surface as in the DVD type. Further, the tracking error signal is detected by the three-beam method by receiving ± first-order diffracted light at the other two light receiving surfaces of the photodetector.

上記の説明では波長選択性回折素子をCD系の波長λの光に対する3ビーム法に適用した例について述べたが、情報記録用に用いられる差動プッシュプル法に適用してもよい。またDVD系の波長λの光に対して3ビームを発生する波長選択性回折素子1Bを適用しても、1ビームを使用する方法に比べ、より正確なトラッキング誤差検出に有効である。DVD系の波長λの光とCD系の波長λの光に対し、独立に3ビームを発生する波長選択性回折素子1Cまたは1Dを適用しても、CD系およびDVD系それぞれの光ディスクに対し最適な回折格子を設計できる。また、一方の光ディスク用の光が他方の光ディスク用の回折格子により回折され、光量損失が発生することがなく有効である。 In the above description, the example in which the wavelength-selective diffraction element is applied to the three-beam method with respect to the light having the wavelength λ 2 of the CD system has been described, but may be applied to the differential push-pull method used for information recording. Further, even if the wavelength selective diffraction element 1B that generates three beams with respect to the light of wavelength λ 1 of the DVD system is applied, it is effective for more accurate tracking error detection than the method using one beam. Even if the wavelength-selective diffractive element 1C or 1D that independently generates three beams is applied to the light of wavelength λ 1 of the DVD system and the light of wavelength λ 2 of the CD system, each of the optical disks of the CD system and the DVD system can be applied. The optimum diffraction grating can be designed. In addition, the light for one optical disk is diffracted by the diffraction grating for the other optical disk, which is effective without causing loss of light quantity.

また、CDおよびDVDの光ディスク上に情報の記録を行う光ヘッド装置においては、3ビーム発生用回折格子における、0次回折効率と1次回折効率との比の値を15以上にする場合が多く、この場合、回折効率を任意に設定できるため特に有用である。
なお、波長選択性回折素子の格子ピッチは、素子が用いられる光ヘッド装置の光学系および光ディスクのトラッキング誤差信号検出法に応じて適宜定められる。
Also, in an optical head device that records information on CD and DVD optical disks, the value of the ratio of the 0th-order diffraction efficiency to the 1st-order diffraction efficiency in the diffraction grating for generating three beams is often 15 or more. In this case, the diffraction efficiency can be set arbitrarily, which is particularly useful.
Note that the grating pitch of the wavelength selective diffraction element is appropriately determined according to the optical system of the optical head device in which the element is used and the tracking error signal detection method of the optical disk.

「光ヘッド装置の第2の実施態様」
図10は本発明の光ヘッド装置の第2の態様を示し、波長選択性回折素子1Cを、ホログラムビームスプリッタとして用いた光ヘッド装置である。このように構成された光ヘッド装置において、波長λおよび波長λの光を出射する2波長用半導体レーザ3から出射した波長λの光は、ホログラムビームスプリッタで入射光の約70%が透過した後、コリメートレンズ5により平行光にされる。その後、この平行光は対物レンズ6により光ディスク7(DVD系)の情報記録トラック上に集光される。そして、光ディスク7で反射された光は、再び対物レンズ6およびコリメートレンズ5を透過し、波長選択性ホログラムビームスプリッタにより回折された約10%の光が、光検出器8の受光面に集光される。
“Second Embodiment of Optical Head Device”
FIG. 10 shows a second embodiment of the optical head apparatus of the present invention, which is an optical head apparatus using the wavelength selective diffraction element 1C as a hologram beam splitter. In such an optical head device thus constructed, light having a wavelength lambda 1 emitted from the wavelength lambda 1 and wavelength lambda semiconductor laser 3 for two wavelengths for emitting second light, about 70% of the incident light by the hologram beam splitter After being transmitted, the collimated lens 5 converts the light into parallel light. Thereafter, the parallel light is condensed on the information recording track of the optical disk 7 (DVD system) by the objective lens 6. Then, the light reflected by the optical disk 7 passes through the objective lens 6 and the collimating lens 5 again, and about 10% of the light diffracted by the wavelength selective hologram beam splitter is condensed on the light receiving surface of the photodetector 8. Is done.

一方、2波長用半導体レーザ3から出射した波長λの光も、ホログラムビームスプリッタで出射光の約70%が透過した後、コリメートレンズ5により平行光にされる。その後、この平行光は対物レンズ6により光ディスク7(CD系)の情報記録トラック上に集光される。そして、光ディスク7により反射された光は、再び対物レンズ6およびコリメートレンズ5を透過し、ホログラムビームスプリッタにより回折された約10%の光が、波長λの光の検出に用いたのと同一の光検出器8の受光面に集光される。 On the other hand, the light of wavelength λ 2 emitted from the two-wavelength semiconductor laser 3 is also converted into parallel light by the collimator lens 5 after approximately 70% of the emitted light is transmitted through the hologram beam splitter. Thereafter, the parallel light is condensed on the information recording track of the optical disc 7 (CD system) by the objective lens 6. The light reflected by the optical disc 7 is transmitted through the objective lens 6 and the collimator lens 5 again, identical to about 10% of light diffracted by the hologram beam splitter, it was used for detection of the wavelength lambda 1 of the light The light is collected on the light receiving surface of the photodetector 8.

このように、本発明の波長選択性回折素子1Cを搭載した光ヘッド装置の場合、同一の光検出器を用いて、使用波長の異なる光ディスクへの情報の記録および再生を行うことができ、光ヘッド装置の小型化・高特性化を図れる。なお、波長選択性回折素子の格子ピッチはそれが用いられる光ヘッド装置の光学系に応じて適宜定められる。通常、この波長選択性回折素子の格子ピッチは5μm以下であるため、格子ピッチが5μm以下になっても透過させたい波長の光の透過率が低下することがない本発明の素子は、光の利用効率が高く有用である。また、DVD系の光ディスクについては、波長選択性の偏光ホログラムビームスプリッタを対物レンズと一体駆動する構成にしてもよい。   Thus, in the case of an optical head device equipped with the wavelength-selective diffraction element 1C of the present invention, information can be recorded and reproduced on optical disks having different operating wavelengths using the same photodetector. The head device can be reduced in size and performance. Note that the grating pitch of the wavelength selective diffraction element is appropriately determined according to the optical system of the optical head device in which it is used. Usually, since the grating pitch of this wavelength selective diffraction element is 5 μm or less, the transmittance of light having a wavelength to be transmitted does not decrease even when the grating pitch is 5 μm or less. It is highly efficient and useful. Further, a DVD-type optical disc may be configured such that a wavelength-selective polarization hologram beam splitter is integrally driven with an objective lens.

また、図8に示した光ヘッド装置の例では、ビームスプリッタ4が用いられ、2波長用半導体レーザ3(光源ユニット)と光検出器8とが分離された構成とした。しかし、ビームスプリッタ4の代わりに波長選択性ホログラムビームスプリッタを用いて、光ディスクで反射された光を2波長用半導体レーザ(光源ユニット)内の半導体レーザ近傍に配置された、光検出器に集光するように回折させてもよい。この場合、半導体レーザと光検出器とが同一の光源ユニット内に配置されるため光ヘッド装置を小型化できる。   In the example of the optical head device shown in FIG. 8, the beam splitter 4 is used and the two-wavelength semiconductor laser 3 (light source unit) and the photodetector 8 are separated. However, a wavelength-selective hologram beam splitter is used instead of the beam splitter 4, and the light reflected by the optical disk is condensed on a photodetector arranged in the vicinity of the semiconductor laser in the two-wavelength semiconductor laser (light source unit). It may be diffracted as if. In this case, since the semiconductor laser and the photodetector are arranged in the same light source unit, the optical head device can be miniaturized.

「波長選択性回折素子の第8の実施態様」
図16に示す本実施態様の波長選択性回折素子1Hは、第1の実施態様の波長選択性回折素子において、周辺部のみに回折格子が存在するものである。波長選択性回折素子1Hは、格子の凹凸部である回折格子12H(凹凸部材からなる)を表面に形成している透明基板11Hと、その間に充填される充填部材13Hとを備える回折素子であり、透明基板14Hで充填部材13Hが保護されている。 波長λの光に対しては回折格子12Hと充填部材13Hの屈折率が等しく、波長λの光に対しては回折格子12Hと充填部材13Hの屈折率が異なる。
“Eighth Embodiment of Wavelength Selective Diffraction Element”
The wavelength-selective diffraction element 1H of this embodiment shown in FIG. 16 is the same as the wavelength-selective diffraction element of the first embodiment, except that a diffraction grating exists only at the periphery. The wavelength-selective diffractive element 1H is a diffractive element including a transparent substrate 11H having a diffraction grating 12H (consisting of a concavo-convex member), which is a concavo-convex part of the grating, on the surface, and a filling member 13H filled therebetween. The filling member 13H is protected by the transparent substrate 14H. For the wavelength lambda 1 of the light equal to the refractive index of the filling member 13H and the diffraction grating 12H, the refractive index of the filling member 13H and the diffraction grating 12H is different with respect to the wavelength lambda 2 of light.

このため、波長λの光が回折格子12Hを通過するときには、屈折率が等しいため、回折格子の機能は発生せず直進透過する。一方、波長λの光が透過するときには、屈折率が異なるため回折格子として機能し、格子の高さを調節することで波長λの光の大部分を回折させることができる。 Therefore, when the wavelength lambda 1 of the light passes through the diffraction grating 12H, since the same refractive index, the function of the diffraction grating is straightly transmitted without generating. On the other hand, when light of wavelength λ 2 is transmitted, it functions as a diffraction grating because the refractive index is different, and most of light of wavelength λ 2 can be diffracted by adjusting the height of the grating.

「光ヘッド装置の第3の実施態様」
図17は本発明の光ヘッド装置の第3の態様を示し、本発明の波長選択性回折素子1Hが、開口制限素子として、コリメートレンズと対物レンズとの間に配置された構成となっている。半導体レーザ3A、3Bからの出射光は、波長合成プリズム9により同一光軸上で合成され、ビームスプリッタ4を透過した後に、コリメートレンズ5により平行光となり、開口制限素子である波長選択性回折素子1Hに入射する。
“Third Embodiment of Optical Head Device”
FIG. 17 shows a third embodiment of the optical head device of the present invention, in which the wavelength-selective diffraction element 1H of the present invention is arranged between the collimating lens and the objective lens as an aperture limiting element. . Light emitted from the semiconductor lasers 3A and 3B is synthesized on the same optical axis by the wavelength synthesizing prism 9, and after passing through the beam splitter 4, becomes collimated light by the collimator lens 5 and becomes a wavelength selective diffraction element which is an aperture limiting element. Incident at 1H.

λの光は開口制限素子の周辺部、中心部で回折されることなく透過し、対物レンズ6によりDVD系の光ディスク7の情報記録面に焦点を結ぶ(図17(a))。また、λの光は開口制限素子の周辺部では回折され、中心部を透過した光のみが、小さい開口数で光ディスク7の情報記録面に集光される(図17(b))。光ディスクからの反射光は、再び対物レンズ6、開口制限素子(波長選択性回折素子1H)、コリメートレンズ5を透過した後、ビームスプリッタ4に入射する。このビームスプリッタ4で反射された光は、往路の光軸とは90°の角度をなす光軸に沿って進行して、光検出器8の受光面に集光される。そして信号光は、この光検出器8で電気信号に変換される。 The light of λ 1 is transmitted without being diffracted at the periphery and center of the aperture limiting element, and is focused on the information recording surface of the DVD optical disk 7 by the objective lens 6 (FIG. 17A). Further, the light of λ 2 is diffracted at the periphery of the aperture limiting element, and only the light transmitted through the center is condensed on the information recording surface of the optical disc 7 with a small numerical aperture (FIG. 17B). The reflected light from the optical disk again passes through the objective lens 6, the aperture limiting element (wavelength selective diffraction element 1 </ b> H), and the collimating lens 5 and then enters the beam splitter 4. The light reflected by the beam splitter 4 travels along an optical axis that forms an angle of 90 ° with the optical axis of the forward path, and is collected on the light receiving surface of the photodetector 8. The signal light is converted into an electric signal by the photodetector 8.

なお、図17(b)では省略されているが、開口制限素子により回折されたλの光も、光ディスク7の情報記録面に集光され、反射された後、信号光と同様の光路を進行し、光検出器8の受光面から外れた部分に集光される。本発明の波長選択性回折素子が使用されているため、波長λの光に対してのみ開口絞りとして機能し、また、回折格子のピッチを小さくしても波長λの透過率が落ちないため、格子ピッチを小さくしてλの光の回折角度を大きくでき、信号光との分離が容易になり、信号検出用の受光素子に迷光として到達することがなく、従来型の開口制限素子と比較して、安定して情報の記録、再生を行うことができる。 Although not shown in FIG. 17B, the light of λ 2 diffracted by the aperture limiting element is also condensed on the information recording surface of the optical disc 7 and reflected, and then travels in the same optical path as the signal light. The light travels and is collected at a portion off the light receiving surface of the photodetector 8. Since the wavelength-selective diffraction element of the present invention is used, functions as an aperture stop only for the wavelength lambda 2 of light, also the wavelength lambda 1 of the transmittance does not drop even by reducing the pitch of the diffraction grating Therefore, the grating pitch can be reduced and the diffraction angle of the light of λ 2 can be increased, separation from the signal light is facilitated, and it does not reach the light receiving element for signal detection as stray light. Compared to the above, it is possible to record and reproduce information stably.

「波長選択性回折素子の第9の実施態様」
図18に示す本実施態様の波長選択性回折素子1Jは、第1の実施態様の波長選択性回折素子において、その凹凸部の形状が、ブレーズド形状または擬似ブレーズド形状になっているものである。(図18では4レベルの擬似ブレーズド形状であるが、それに限らない)波長選択性回折素子1Jは、格子の凹凸部である回折格子12J(凹凸部材からなる)を表面に形成している透明基板11Jと、その間に充填される充填部材13Jとを備える回折素子であり、透明基板14Jで充填部材13Jが保護されている。波長λの光に対しては回折格子12Jと充填部材13Jの屈折率が等しく、波長λの光に対しては回折格子12Jと充填部材13Jの屈折率が異なる。
“Ninth Embodiment of Wavelength Selective Diffraction Element”
The wavelength-selective diffraction element 1J of this embodiment shown in FIG. 18 is the same as the wavelength-selective diffraction element of the first embodiment, but the shape of the concavo-convex portion is a blazed shape or a pseudo-blazed shape. The wavelength-selective diffraction element 1J (which is a four-level pseudo-blazed shape in FIG. 18) is a transparent substrate on which a diffraction grating 12J (consisting of a concavo-convex member), which is a concavo-convex part of the grating, is formed on the surface. 11J and a filling member 13J filled therebetween, and the filling member 13J is protected by the transparent substrate 14J. To the wavelength lambda 1 of the light equal to the refractive index of the filling member 13J and the diffraction grating 12J, the refractive index of the filling member 13J and the diffraction grating 12J is different with respect to the wavelength lambda 2 of light.

このため、波長λの光が回折格子12Jを通過するときには、屈折率が等しいため、回折格子の機能は発生せず直進透過する。一方、波長λ2の光が透過するときには、屈折率が異なるため回折格子として機能し、凹凸の形状が、ブレーズド形状または、擬似ブレーズド形状であるため、格子の高さdを調節することで、波長λ2の光の大部分を特定の回折次数に回折させることができる。 Therefore, when the wavelength lambda 1 of the light passes through the diffraction grating 12J, because the same refractive index, the function of the diffraction grating is straightly transmitted without generating. On the other hand, when the light of wavelength λ2 is transmitted, it functions as a diffraction grating because the refractive index is different, and the uneven shape is a blazed shape or a pseudo-blazed shape, so that the wavelength can be adjusted by adjusting the height d of the grating. Most of the light of λ2 can be diffracted to a specific diffraction order.

「光ヘッド装置の第4の実施態様」
図19は本発明の光ヘッド装置の第4の態様を示し、本発明の波長選択性回折素子1Jが、ビームスプリッタ4と光検出器8との間に、波長選択性偏向素子として配置された構成となっている。2波長用半導体レーザ3の1つの発光点から出射された波長λの出射光(図19(a))と、それとは異なる発光点から出射された波長λ2の出射光(図19(b))は、ビームスプリッタ4を透過した後に、コリメートレンズ5により平行光となり、対物レンズ6により光ディスク7の情報記録面に集光される。
“Fourth Embodiment of Optical Head Device”
FIG. 19 shows a fourth embodiment of the optical head device of the present invention, in which the wavelength selective diffraction element 1J of the present invention is disposed between the beam splitter 4 and the photodetector 8 as a wavelength selective deflection element. It has a configuration. Emission light of wavelength λ 1 emitted from one emission point of the semiconductor laser 3 for two wavelengths (FIG. 19A) and emission light of wavelength λ 2 emitted from a different emission point (FIG. 19B) ) Passes through the beam splitter 4, becomes parallel light by the collimator lens 5, and is condensed on the information recording surface of the optical disk 7 by the objective lens 6.

光ディスク7からの反射光は、再び対物レンズ6、コリメートレンズ5を透過した後、ビームスプリッタ4に入射し、このビームスプリッタ4で反射された光は、往路の光軸とは90°の角度をなす光軸に沿って進行して、波長選択性偏向素子である波長選択性回折素子1Jに入射する。波長選択性偏向素子に入射した波長λの光は、波長選択性偏向素子で偏向されることなく透過した後、光検出器8の受光面に集光される(図19(a))。 The reflected light from the optical disk 7 passes through the objective lens 6 and the collimating lens 5 again and then enters the beam splitter 4. The light reflected by the beam splitter 4 has an angle of 90 ° with the optical axis of the forward path. The light travels along the optical axis formed and enters the wavelength selective diffraction element 1J which is a wavelength selective deflection element. The light having the wavelength λ 1 incident on the wavelength selective deflection element is transmitted without being deflected by the wavelength selective deflection element, and then condensed on the light receiving surface of the photodetector 8 (FIG. 19A).

一方、波長選択性偏向素子に入射した波長λの光は、波長選択性偏向素子である波長選択性回折素子1Jで偏向された後、波長λの光の検出器8と同一の光検出器の受光面に集光される(図19(b))。本発明の波長選択性回折素子が使用されているため、波長λの光を高い透過率で透過するとともに、波長λの光を回折、すなわち偏向させることができ、従来型の波長選択性偏向素子を使用する場合より、安定して情報の記録、再生を行うことができる。 On the other hand, the light having the wavelength λ 2 incident on the wavelength selective deflecting element is deflected by the wavelength selective diffractive element 1J which is the wavelength selective deflecting element, and then the same light detection as that of the light detector 8 having the wavelength λ 1 is performed. The light is collected on the light receiving surface of the container (FIG. 19B). Since the wavelength-selective diffractive element of the present invention is used, the light of wavelength λ 1 can be transmitted with high transmittance, and the light of wavelength λ 2 can be diffracted, that is, deflected. Information can be recorded and reproduced more stably than when a deflection element is used.

「例1」
有機物顔料(赤色顔料)を含む赤色レジストCFRP−RH1019(東京応化工業社製)を凹凸部材として用いた。この赤色レジストを、スピンコート法によりガラス基板上に均一に厚さ6.0μmにコーティングし、100℃で5分間保持した。次に、フォトマスクをガラス基板の赤色レジスト側に配置して紫外線露光した。その後アルカリ現像を行い、220℃で60分間保持した。
"Example 1"
A red resist CFRP-RH1019 (manufactured by Tokyo Ohka Kogyo Co., Ltd.) containing an organic pigment (red pigment) was used as an uneven member. This red resist was uniformly coated on a glass substrate to a thickness of 6.0 μm by a spin coating method, and held at 100 ° C. for 5 minutes. Next, a photomask was placed on the red resist side of the glass substrate and exposed to ultraviolet light. Thereafter, alkali development was performed, and the mixture was held at 220 ° C. for 60 minutes.

このようにして、図1に示すような回折格子12Aを、格子ピッチ60μm、格子高さ6.0μmとして形成した。凹凸部材は波長590nmに吸収端を有し、波長550nmにおける吸収係数kは0.21であった。また、屈折率は波長650nmにおいて1.654、波長790nmにおいて1.626であり、上記2波長での屈折率の差は0.028であった。   In this way, a diffraction grating 12A as shown in FIG. 1 was formed with a grating pitch of 60 μm and a grating height of 6.0 μm. The concavo-convex member had an absorption edge at a wavelength of 590 nm, and the absorption coefficient k at a wavelength of 550 nm was 0.21. The refractive index was 1.654 at a wavelength of 650 nm and 1.626 at a wavelength of 790 nm, and the difference in refractive index between the two wavelengths was 0.028.

次に重合後の屈折率が波長650nmにおいて1.656、波長790nmにおいて1.646であり、屈折率の差が0.010であるフォトポリマをモノマの状態で充填部材として格子の凹凸部に充填し、さらに別のガラス基板を積層して、回折格子とフォトポリマを挟み込んだ。その後、モノマに紫外線を照射し重合させて波長選択性回折素子を作製した。   Next, the refractive index after polymerization is 1.656 at a wavelength of 650 nm, 1.646 at a wavelength of 790 nm, and a photopolymer having a refractive index difference of 0.010 is filled as a filling member into a concavo-convex portion of a lattice in a monomer state. Then, another glass substrate was laminated, and the diffraction grating and the photopolymer were sandwiched. Thereafter, the monomer was irradiated with ultraviolet rays and polymerized to produce a wavelength selective diffraction element.

このようにして作製した素子に波長790nmの半導体レーザ光を入射したところ、0次回折光の透過率が74%であり、+1次回折光および−1次回折光の回折効率がおのおの10%であった。また、波長650nmの半導体レーザ光を入射したところ、0次回折光の透過率が92%であり、+1次回折光、−1次回折光、および高次回折光の回折効率はいずれも0.5%以下であり、本素子は上記2波長の光で波長選択性のある回折機能を示した。   When semiconductor laser light having a wavelength of 790 nm was incident on the device thus fabricated, the transmittance of the 0th-order diffracted light was 74%, and the diffraction efficiencies of the + 1st-order diffracted light and the −1st-order diffracted light were each 10%. When a semiconductor laser beam having a wavelength of 650 nm is incident, the transmittance of the 0th-order diffracted light is 92%, and the diffraction efficiencies of the + 1st-order diffracted light, the −1st-order diffracted light, and the high-order diffracted light are all 0.5% or less. In addition, this device exhibited a diffraction function having wavelength selectivity with the light of the two wavelengths.

「例2」
例1で用いたものと同じ赤色レジストを凹凸部材として、スピンコート法によりガラス基板上に均一にコーティングし、例1と同じ温度、時間などの条件で、厚さ6.0μmの赤色レジスト膜を作製した。このようにして作製した膜の上に、膜厚60nmのSiO膜をスパッタ法により形成し、SiO膜の上にフォトレジストをスピンコート法により塗布した。
"Example 2"
Using the same red resist as that used in Example 1 as a concavo-convex member, a glass substrate is uniformly coated by spin coating, and a red resist film having a thickness of 6.0 μm is formed under the same conditions as in Example 1, such as temperature and time. Produced. A SiO 2 film having a thickness of 60 nm was formed by sputtering on the film thus prepared, and a photoresist was applied on the SiO 2 film by spin coating.

次にフォトマスクをガラス基板のSiO膜側に配置して紫外線露光し、その後ドライエッチングを行った。このようにして、図1に示すような回折格子12Aを、格子ピッチ4μm、格子高さ6.0μmとして作製した。次に例1において用いたフォトポリマをモノマの状態で充填部材として格子の凹凸部に充填し、さらに回折格子とフォトポリマを別のガラス基板で積層して挟み込んだ。その後、紫外線をガラス基板全面に照射し、モノマを重合させ波長選択性回折素子を作製した。 Next, a photomask was placed on the SiO 2 film side of the glass substrate and exposed to ultraviolet light, and then dry etching was performed. In this way, a diffraction grating 12A as shown in FIG. 1 was produced with a grating pitch of 4 μm and a grating height of 6.0 μm. Next, the photopolymer used in Example 1 was filled in the concave and convex portions of the grating as a filling member in a monomer state, and the diffraction grating and the photopolymer were laminated with another glass substrate and sandwiched. Thereafter, the entire surface of the glass substrate was irradiated with ultraviolet rays to polymerize the monomer to produce a wavelength selective diffraction element.

このようにして作製した波長選択性回折素子に波長790nmの半導体レーザ光を入射したところ、0次回折光の透過率が74%で+1次回折光および−1次回折光の回折効率がいずれも10%であった。また、波長650nmの半導体レーザ光を入射したところ、0次回折光の透過率が92%であり、+1次回折光、−1次回折光、および高次回折光の回折効率はいずれも0.5%以下であり、本素子は上記2波長の光に対し波長選択性のある回折機能を示した。   When a semiconductor laser beam having a wavelength of 790 nm is incident on the wavelength selective diffraction element thus fabricated, the transmittance of the 0th-order diffracted light is 74%, and the diffraction efficiencies of the + 1st-order diffracted light and the −1st-order diffracted light are both 10%. there were. When a semiconductor laser beam having a wavelength of 650 nm is incident, the transmittance of the 0th-order diffracted light is 92%, and the diffraction efficiencies of the + 1st-order diffracted light, the −1st-order diffracted light, and the high-order diffracted light are all 0.5% or less. In addition, this element exhibited a diffraction function having wavelength selectivity with respect to the light of the two wavelengths.

「例3」
有機物顔料(赤色顔料)を含む赤色レジストA−0011(大日本インキ化学工業社製)を用いた。この赤色レジストを凹凸部材として、スピンコート法によりガラス基板上に均一にコーティングした。その後、例1と同様に、100℃で5分間保持し、ガラス基板全面に紫外線を照射し、220度で60分間保持して、厚さ7.0μmの膜を作製した。このようにして作製した膜の上に、例2と同様に、SiO膜をスパッタ法により形成し、SiO膜上に塗布したフォトレジストを紫外線露光後ドライエッチングを行った。このようにして、図1に示すような回折格子12Aを、格子ピッチ4μm、格子高さ7.0μmとして作製した。
"Example 3"
Red resist A-0011 (Dainippon Ink & Chemicals, Inc.) containing an organic pigment (red pigment) was used. Using this red resist as an uneven member, the glass substrate was uniformly coated by spin coating. Thereafter, in the same manner as in Example 1, the film was held at 100 ° C. for 5 minutes, the entire surface of the glass substrate was irradiated with ultraviolet light, and held at 220 ° C. for 60 minutes to produce a film having a thickness of 7.0 μm. A SiO 2 film was formed on the thus prepared film by sputtering in the same manner as in Example 2, and the photoresist coated on the SiO 2 film was subjected to dry etching after UV exposure. In this way, a diffraction grating 12A as shown in FIG. 1 was produced with a grating pitch of 4 μm and a grating height of 7.0 μm.

凹凸部材は波長580nmに吸収端を有し、波長550nmにおける吸収係数kは0.19であった。屈折率は波長650nmにおいて1.631、波長790nmにおいて1.607であり、上記2波長の光での屈折率の差は0.024であった。   The concavo-convex member had an absorption edge at a wavelength of 580 nm, and the absorption coefficient k at a wavelength of 550 nm was 0.19. The refractive index was 1.631 at a wavelength of 650 nm and 1.607 at a wavelength of 790 nm, and the difference in refractive index between the two wavelengths of light was 0.024.

次に、重合後の屈折率が波長650nmにおいて1.632、波長790nmにおいて1.624であり、両波長における屈折率の差は0.008であるフォトポリマをモノマの状態で充填部材として格子の凹凸部に充填し、さらに回折格子とフォトポリマを別のガラス基板で積層して挟み込んだ。その後、紫外線をガラス基板全面に照射し、モノマを重合させ波長選択性回折素子を作製した。   Next, the refractive index after polymerization is 1.632 at a wavelength of 650 nm, 1.624 at a wavelength of 790 nm, and the difference in refractive index at both wavelengths is 0.008. The concavo-convex portion was filled, and a diffraction grating and a photopolymer were laminated on another glass substrate and sandwiched. Thereafter, the entire surface of the glass substrate was irradiated with ultraviolet rays to polymerize the monomer to produce a wavelength selective diffraction element.

このようにして作製した素子に波長790nmの半導体レーザ光を入射したところ、0次回折光の透過率が74%で+1次回折光および−1次回折光の回折効率がおのおの10%であった。また、波長650nmの半導体レーザ光を入射したところ、0次回折光の透過率が92%であり、+1次回折光、−1次回折光、および高次回折光の回折効率はいずれも0.5%以下であり、本素子は上記2波長の光に対し波長選択性のある回折機能を示した。   When semiconductor laser light having a wavelength of 790 nm was incident on the device thus fabricated, the transmittance of the 0th-order diffracted light was 74%, and the diffraction efficiencies of the + 1st-order diffracted light and the −1st-order diffracted light were 10%. When a semiconductor laser beam having a wavelength of 650 nm is incident, the transmittance of the 0th-order diffracted light is 92%, and the diffraction efficiencies of the + 1st-order diffracted light, the −1st-order diffracted light, and the high-order diffracted light are all 0.5% or less. In addition, this element exhibited a diffraction function having wavelength selectivity with respect to the light of the two wavelengths.

「例4」
赤色有機物顔料としてピグメントレッド177を14.8%(質量基準とする、以下同じ)含む顔料含有液である御国色素社製CFレッドAGR−01を73%、ペンタエリスリトールテトラアクリレート(日本化薬社製KAYARAD−DPHA)を22%、プロピレングリコール−1−モノメチルエーテル−2−アセテートを5%混合し混合物を作製した。さらに光重合開始材として、イルガキュア907(チバスペシャリティケミカルズ社製)を上記混合物に対して0.7%となるよう混合し組成物を作製した。
"Example 4"
As a red organic pigment, Pigment Red 177 containing 14.8% (based on mass, the same shall apply hereinafter) is a pigment-containing liquid containing 70% of CF Red AGR-01 manufactured by Gokoku Color Co., Ltd., pentaerythritol tetraacrylate (manufactured by Nippon Kayaku Co., Ltd.) A mixture was prepared by mixing 22% KAYARAD-DPHA) and 5% propylene glycol-1-monomethyl ether-2-acetate. Further, Irgacure 907 (manufactured by Ciba Specialty Chemicals) was mixed as a photopolymerization initiator so as to be 0.7% with respect to the above mixture to prepare a composition.

この組成物を凹凸部材としてスピンコート法によりガラス基板上に均一にコーティングし、100℃で3分間保持した。次に組成物全面に紫外線を照射後、200℃で60分間保持し、厚さ5.5μmの膜を作製した。このようにして作製した膜の上に、膜厚60nmのSiO膜をスパッタ法により形成し、SiO膜の上にフォトレジストをスピンコート法により塗布した。次にフォトマスクをガラス基板のSiO膜側に配置して紫外線露光し、その後ドライエッチングを行った。このようにして、図1に示すような回折格子12Aを、格子ピッチ4μm、格子高さ5.5μmとして作製した。 This composition was coated uniformly on a glass substrate as a concavo-convex member by a spin coating method, and held at 100 ° C. for 3 minutes. Next, the entire surface of the composition was irradiated with ultraviolet rays, and then kept at 200 ° C. for 60 minutes to produce a film having a thickness of 5.5 μm. A SiO 2 film having a thickness of 60 nm was formed by sputtering on the film thus prepared, and a photoresist was applied on the SiO 2 film by spin coating. Next, a photomask was placed on the SiO 2 film side of the glass substrate and exposed to ultraviolet light, and then dry etching was performed. In this way, a diffraction grating 12A as shown in FIG. 1 was produced with a grating pitch of 4 μm and a grating height of 5.5 μm.

凹凸部材の吸収端の波長は600nmであり、550nmでの吸収係数kは0.10であった。屈折率は波長650nmにおいて1.636、波長790nmにおいて1.601であり、上記2波長での屈折率の差は0.035であった。
次に重合後の屈折率が波長650nmにおいて1.638、波長790nmにおいて1.624であり、2波長における屈折率の差が0.014であるフォトポリマをモノマの状態で充填部材として格子の凹凸部に充填し、さらに別のガラス基板を積層して、回折格子とフォトポリマを挟み込んだ。その後、モノマに紫外線を照射し重合させて波長選択性回折素子を作製した。
The wavelength of the absorption edge of the concavo-convex member was 600 nm, and the absorption coefficient k at 550 nm was 0.10. The refractive index was 1.636 at a wavelength of 650 nm and 1.601 at a wavelength of 790 nm, and the difference in refractive index between the two wavelengths was 0.035.
Next, the refractive index after polymerization is 1.638 at a wavelength of 650 nm, 1.624 at a wavelength of 790 nm, and a photopolymer having a difference in refractive index at two wavelengths of 0.014 is used as a filling member in a monomer state to form irregularities in the lattice. Then, another glass substrate was laminated, and the diffraction grating and the photopolymer were sandwiched. Thereafter, the monomer was irradiated with ultraviolet rays and polymerized to produce a wavelength selective diffraction element.

このようにして作製した素子に波長790nmの半導体レーザ光を入射したところ、0次回折光の透過率が74%であり、+1次回折光および−1次回折光の回折効率がおのおの10%であった。また、波長650nmの半導体レーザ光を入射したところ、0次回折光の透過率が92%であり、+1次回折光、−1次回折光、および高次回折光の回折効率はいずれも0.5%以下であり、本素子は上記2波長で波長選択性のある回折機能を示した。   When semiconductor laser light having a wavelength of 790 nm was incident on the device thus fabricated, the transmittance of the 0th-order diffracted light was 74%, and the diffraction efficiencies of the + 1st-order diffracted light and the −1st-order diffracted light were each 10%. When a semiconductor laser beam having a wavelength of 650 nm is incident, the transmittance of the 0th-order diffracted light is 92%, and the diffraction efficiencies of the + 1st-order diffracted light, the −1st-order diffracted light, and the high-order diffracted light are all 0.5% or less. In addition, this element exhibited a diffraction function with wavelength selectivity at the above two wavelengths.

「例5」
例1で用いたものと同じ赤色レジストを、スピンコート法によりガラス基板上に均一にコーティングし、例1と同じ温度、時間などの条件で、厚さ6.0μmの赤色レジスト膜を作製した。このようにして作製した膜の上に、例2と同様に、SiO膜をスパッタ法により形成し、ドライエッチングを行って、図1に示すような回折格子12Aを、格子ピッチ4μm、格子高さ4.0μmとして作製した。
"Example 5"
The same red resist as used in Example 1 was uniformly coated on the glass substrate by spin coating, and a red resist film having a thickness of 6.0 μm was produced under the same conditions as in Example 1, such as temperature and time. A SiO 2 film is formed on the film thus produced by sputtering and dry-etched in the same manner as in Example 2 to obtain a diffraction grating 12A as shown in FIG. 1 having a grating pitch of 4 μm and a grating height. The thickness was 4.0 μm.

次に、重合後の屈折率が波長650nmにおいて1.632、波長790nmにおいて1.624であり、2波長での屈折率の差が0.008である、例3で用いたフォトポリマをモノマの状態で充填部材として格子の凹凸部に充填し、さらに回折格子とフォトポリマを別のガラス基板で積層して挟み込んだ。その後、紫外線をガラス基板全面に照射し、モノマを重合させ波長選択性回折素子を作製した。   Next, the refractive index after polymerization is 1.632 at a wavelength of 650 nm, 1.624 at a wavelength of 790 nm, and the difference in refractive index between the two wavelengths is 0.008. In this state, the concavo-convex portion of the grating was filled as a filling member, and the diffraction grating and the photopolymer were laminated on another glass substrate and sandwiched. Thereafter, the entire surface of the glass substrate was irradiated with ultraviolet rays to polymerize the monomer to produce a wavelength selective diffraction element.

このようにして作製した素子に波長650nmの半導体レーザ光を入射したところ、0次回折光の透過率が72%で+1次回折光および−1次回折光の回折効率がおのおの10%であった。また、波長790nmの半導体レーザ光を入射したところ、0次回折光の透過率が95%であり、+1次回折光、−1次回折光、および高次回折光の回折効率はいずれも0.5%以下であり、本素子は上記2波長の光に対し波長選択性のある回折機能を示し、また例2の素子とは異なる波長選択性を示した。   When a semiconductor laser beam having a wavelength of 650 nm was incident on the device thus fabricated, the transmittance of the 0th-order diffracted light was 72%, and the diffraction efficiencies of the + 1st-order diffracted light and the −1st-order diffracted light were 10%. Further, when a semiconductor laser beam having a wavelength of 790 nm is incident, the transmittance of the 0th-order diffracted light is 95%, and the diffraction efficiencies of the + 1st-order diffracted light, the −1st-order diffracted light, and the higher-order diffracted light are all 0.5% or less. In addition, this device exhibited a diffraction function having wavelength selectivity with respect to the above-mentioned two wavelengths of light, and also exhibited a wavelength selectivity different from that of the device of Example 2.

「例6」
例1で用いたものと同じ赤色レジストを、スピンコート法によりガラス基板上に均一にコーティングし、例1と同じ温度、時間などの条件で、厚さ6.0μmの赤色レジスト膜を作製した。このようにして作製した膜の上に、例2と同様に、SiO膜をスパッタ法により形成し、ドライエッチングを行って、図1に示すような回折格子12Aを、格子ピッチ4μm、格子高さ4.0μmとして作製した。
"Example 6"
The same red resist as used in Example 1 was uniformly coated on the glass substrate by spin coating, and a red resist film having a thickness of 6.0 μm was produced under the same conditions as in Example 1, such as temperature and time. A SiO 2 film is formed on the film thus produced by sputtering and dry-etched in the same manner as in Example 2 to obtain a diffraction grating 12A as shown in FIG. 1 having a grating pitch of 4 μm and a grating height. The thickness was 4.0 μm.

次に、重合後の屈折率が波長650nmにおいて1.632、波長790nmにおいて1.624であり、2波長での屈折率の差が0.008であるフォトポリマをモノマの状態で充填部材として格子の凹凸部に充填し、例2で作製した素子を積層し、紫外線をガラス基板全面に照射し、モノマを重合させ波長選択性回折素子を作製した。   Next, a photopolymer having a refractive index after polymerization of 1.632 at a wavelength of 650 nm and 1.624 at a wavelength of 790 nm and a difference in refractive index between two wavelengths of 0.008 is used as a filling member in a monomer state. The element produced in Example 2 was laminated, and the entire surface of the glass substrate was irradiated with ultraviolet rays to polymerize the monomer, thereby producing a wavelength selective diffraction element.

このようにして作製した素子に波長650nmの半導体レーザ光を入射したところ、0次回折光の透過率が70%で+1次回折光および−1次回折光の回折効率がおのおの10%であった。また、波長790nmの半導体レーザを入射光したところ、0次回折光の透過率が72%で+1次回折光のおよび−1次回折光の回折効率がおのおの10%であった。また、いずれの波長の光においても2次以上の高次回折光の回折効率は0.5%以下であった。   When a semiconductor laser beam having a wavelength of 650 nm was incident on the device thus fabricated, the transmittance of the 0th-order diffracted light was 70%, and the diffraction efficiencies of the + 1st-order diffracted light and the −1st-order diffracted light were 10%. When a semiconductor laser having a wavelength of 790 nm was incident, the transmittance of 0th-order diffracted light was 72%, and the diffraction efficiencies of + 1st-order diffracted light and -1st-order diffracted light were 10%. Moreover, the diffraction efficiency of second-order or higher-order diffracted light was 0.5% or less for light of any wavelength.

「例7」
本例の2波長用の光ヘッド装置は、例1で作製した波長選択性回折素子が、図8に示す波長選択性回折素子1Aのように、2波長用半導体レーザ3とビームスプリッタ4との間に配置された構成となっている。本発明の波長選択性回折素子が使用されているため、波長λの光を回折させることなく、また波長λの光に対してトラッキングエラー検出用の3ビームを発生させることができ、少ない部品点数でS/Nのよい安定した情報の記録、再生を行うことができた。
"Example 7"
In the optical head device for two wavelengths of this example, the wavelength selective diffractive element manufactured in Example 1 is composed of a two-wavelength semiconductor laser 3 and a beam splitter 4 like the wavelength selective diffractive element 1A shown in FIG. It has a configuration arranged between them. Since the wavelength selective diffractive element of the present invention is used, three beams for tracking error detection can be generated with respect to the light of wavelength λ 2 without diffracting the light of wavelength λ 1 and few. It was possible to record and reproduce stable information with a good S / N in terms of the number of parts.

「例8」
本例の2波長用の光ヘッド装置は、例6で作製した波長選択性回折素子が、図10の示す波長選択性回折素子1Cのように、2波長用半導体レーザ3とコリメートレンズ5との間に配置された構成となっている。本発明の波長選択性回折素子が使用されているため、波長λの光および波長λの光に対して独立にホログラムビームスプリッタを設計することができ、波長λおよび波長λのいずれの光も同一の光検出器8の受光面に効率よく集光され、少ない部品点数でS/Nのよい安定した情報の記録、再生を行うことができた。
"Example 8"
In the optical head device for two wavelengths of this example, the wavelength selective diffractive element produced in Example 6 is composed of a two-wavelength semiconductor laser 3 and a collimating lens 5 like the wavelength selective diffractive element 1C shown in FIG. It has a configuration arranged between them. Since the wavelength-selective diffraction element of the present invention is used, independently with respect to the wavelength lambda 1 of light and the wavelength lambda 2 of the light can be designed hologram beam splitter, any wavelength lambda 1 and wavelength lambda 2 Was also efficiently collected on the light receiving surface of the same photodetector 8, and stable information recording and reproduction with a good S / N could be performed with a small number of parts.

「例9(比較例)」
有機物顔料(黄色顔料)を含む黄色レジストCY−S673A(富士フィルムオーリン社製)を凹凸部材として用いた。この有機物顔料をスピンコート法によりガラス基板上に均一にコーティング後、100℃で5分間保持した。次にガラス基板全面に紫外線を照射後、220℃で60分間保持し、厚さ6.0μmの膜を形成した。この膜は波長480nmに吸収端を有し、屈折率は波長650nmにおいて1.590、波長790nmにおいて1.576であり、上記2波長における屈折率の差は0.014であった。
"Example 9 (comparative example)"
A yellow resist CY-S673A (manufactured by Fuji Film Olin Co., Ltd.) containing an organic pigment (yellow pigment) was used as the uneven member. This organic pigment was uniformly coated on a glass substrate by a spin coating method, and then held at 100 ° C. for 5 minutes. Next, after irradiating the entire surface of the glass substrate with ultraviolet rays, the glass substrate was held at 220 ° C. for 60 minutes to form a film having a thickness of 6.0 μm. This film had an absorption edge at a wavelength of 480 nm. The refractive index was 1.590 at a wavelength of 650 nm and 1.576 at a wavelength of 790 nm. The difference in refractive index between the two wavelengths was 0.014.

これに対し、波長590nmに吸収端を有する赤色顔料を含む赤色レジストCFRP−RH1019(東京応化工業社製)を用いて、同様に形成した膜の場合の上記2波長における屈折率の差は0.028であり、黄色レジストの値の2倍であった。   On the other hand, the difference in refractive index at the two wavelengths in the case of a film formed in the same manner using a red resist CFRP-RH1019 (manufactured by Tokyo Ohka Kogyo Co., Ltd.) containing a red pigment having an absorption edge at a wavelength of 590 nm is 0. 028, twice the value of the yellow resist.

上記の黄色レジストを使用し、例1と同様の波長選択性回折素子を作製し、波長790nmの半導体レーザ光を入射したところ、0次回折光の透過率が90であり、+1次回折光および−1次回折光の回折効率がおのおの3%であった。回折効率は、赤色レジストCFRP−RH1019の場合の1/3の値であった。   Using the above yellow resist, a wavelength-selective diffractive element similar to that in Example 1 was produced, and when a semiconductor laser beam having a wavelength of 790 nm was incident, the transmittance of the 0th-order diffracted light was 90, and the + 1st-order diffracted light and −1 The diffraction efficiency of the next diffracted light was 3% each. The diffraction efficiency was 1/3 that of the red resist CFRP-RH1019.

「例10(比較例)」
赤色レジストCFRP−RP103(東京応化工業社製)を凹凸部材として用い、このレジストをスピンコート法によりガラス基板上に均一にコーティングし、90℃で2分間保持した。次に全面に紫外線を照射後、190℃で30分間保持し、厚さ6.0μmの膜を作製した。この凹凸部材における吸収端の波長は580nmであり、波長550nmにおける吸収係数kは0.05であった。屈折率は波長650nmにおいて1.548、波長790nmにおいて1.534であり、上記2波長での屈折率差は0.014であった。
"Example 10 (comparative example)"
A red resist CFRP-RP103 (manufactured by Tokyo Ohka Kogyo Co., Ltd.) was used as a concavo-convex member, and this resist was uniformly coated on a glass substrate by a spin coating method and held at 90 ° C. for 2 minutes. Next, the whole surface was irradiated with ultraviolet light, and then kept at 190 ° C. for 30 minutes to produce a film having a thickness of 6.0 μm. The wavelength of the absorption edge in this concavo-convex member was 580 nm, and the absorption coefficient k at a wavelength of 550 nm was 0.05. The refractive index was 1.548 at a wavelength of 650 nm and 1.534 at a wavelength of 790 nm, and the refractive index difference at the two wavelengths was 0.014.

これに対し、波長590nmに吸収端を有する赤色顔料を含む赤色レジストCFRP−RH1019(東京応化工業社製)を用いて、同様に形成した膜の場合の上記2波長における屈折率の差は0.028であり、赤色レジストCFRP−RP103の2倍であった。   On the other hand, the difference in refractive index at the two wavelengths in the case of a film formed in the same manner using a red resist CFRP-RH1019 (manufactured by Tokyo Ohka Kogyo Co., Ltd.) containing a red pigment having an absorption edge at a wavelength of 590 nm is 0. 028, twice that of the red resist CFRP-RP103.

上記の赤色レジストCFRP−RP103を使用し、例1と同様の波長選択性回折素子を作製し、波長790nmの半導体レーザ光を入射したところ、0次回折光の透過率が90%であり、+1次回折光および−1次回折光の回折効率がおのおの3%であった。回折効率は、赤色レジストCFRP−RH1019の場合の1/3の値であった。   Using the above-described red resist CFRP-RP103, a wavelength-selective diffraction element similar to that in Example 1 was manufactured, and when a semiconductor laser beam having a wavelength of 790 nm was incident, the transmittance of the 0th-order diffracted light was 90%. The diffraction efficiencies of the folded light and the −1st order diffracted light were 3%, respectively. The diffraction efficiency was 1/3 that of the red resist CFRP-RH1019.

「例11(比較例)」
赤色有機物顔料としてピグメントレッド209を14.7%含む顔料含有液である御国色素社製CFレッドAGR−02を73%、ペンタエリスリトールテトラアクリレート(日本化薬社製KAYARAD−DPHA)を22%、プロピレングリコール−1−モノメチルエーテル−2−アセテートを5%混合し混合物を作製した。さらに光重合開始材として、イルガキュア907(チバスペシャリティケミカルズ社製)を上記混合物に対して0.7%となるよう混合し組成物を作製した。
"Example 11 (comparative example)"
As a red organic pigment, pigment red liquid containing 14.7% of pigment red 209 is a pigment-containing liquid, 73% of CF Red AGR-02 manufactured by Gokoku Color Co., Ltd., 22% of pentaerythritol tetraacrylate (KAYARAD-DPHA manufactured by Nippon Kayaku Co., Ltd.), propylene A mixture was prepared by mixing 5% of glycol-1-monomethyl ether-2-acetate. Further, Irgacure 907 (manufactured by Ciba Specialty Chemicals) was mixed as a photopolymerization initiator so as to be 0.7% with respect to the above mixture to prepare a composition.

この組成物を凹凸部材としてスピンコート法によりガラス基板上に均一にコーティングし、100℃で3分間保持した。次に組成物全面に紫外線を照射後、200℃で60分間保持し、厚さ6.0μmの膜を作製した。この凹凸部材における吸収端の波長は570nmであり、波長550nmでの吸収係数kは0.05であった。屈折率は波長650nmにおいて1.605、波長790nmにおいて1.590であり、上記2波長での屈折率の差は0.015であった。   This composition was coated uniformly on a glass substrate as a concavo-convex member by a spin coating method, and held at 100 ° C. for 3 minutes. Next, the entire surface of the composition was irradiated with ultraviolet rays, and then kept at 200 ° C. for 60 minutes to produce a film having a thickness of 6.0 μm. The wavelength of the absorption edge in this concavo-convex member was 570 nm, and the absorption coefficient k at a wavelength of 550 nm was 0.05. The refractive index was 1.605 at a wavelength of 650 nm and 1.590 at a wavelength of 790 nm, and the difference in refractive index between the two wavelengths was 0.015.

これに対し、波長590nmに吸収端を有する赤色顔料を含む赤色レジストCFRP−RH1019(東京応化工業社製)を用いて、同様に形成した膜の場合の上記2波長における屈折率の差は0.028であり、本例における組成物の値の約2倍であった。   On the other hand, the difference in refractive index at the two wavelengths in the case of a film formed in the same manner using a red resist CFRP-RH1019 (manufactured by Tokyo Ohka Kogyo Co., Ltd.) containing a red pigment having an absorption edge at a wavelength of 590 nm is 0. 028, which was approximately twice the value of the composition in this example.

本例における組成物を使用し、例1と同様の波長選択性回折素子を作製し、波長790nmの半導体レーザ光を入射したところ、0次回折光の透過率が90%であり、+1次回折光および−1次回折光の回折効率がおのおの3%であった。回折効率は、赤色レジストCFRP−RH1019の場合の1/3の値であった。   Using the composition in this example, a wavelength selective diffractive element similar to that in Example 1 was produced, and when a semiconductor laser beam having a wavelength of 790 nm was incident, the transmittance of the 0th order diffracted light was 90%, and the + 1st order diffracted light and The diffraction efficiency of -1st order diffracted light was 3% each. The diffraction efficiency was 1/3 that of the red resist CFRP-RH1019.

「例12」
赤色有機物顔料としてピグメントレッド254を14.7%含む顔料含有液である御国色素社製CFレッドEX−2739を85%、ペンタエリスリトールテトラアクリレート(日本化薬社製KAYARAD−DPHA)を12%、プロピレングリコール−1−モノメチルエーテル−2−アセテートを3%混合し混合物を作製した。さらに光重合開始材として、イルガキュア907(チバスペシャリティケミカルズ社製)を上記混合物に対して0.2%となるよう混合し組成物を作製した。
"Example 12"
85% CF red EX-2739 manufactured by Gokoku Dye Co., Ltd., which is a pigment-containing liquid containing 14.7% pigment red 254 as a red organic pigment, 12% pentaerythritol tetraacrylate (KAYARAD-DPHA manufactured by Nippon Kayaku Co., Ltd.), propylene A mixture was prepared by mixing 3% of glycol-1-monomethyl ether-2-acetate. Further, Irgacure 907 (manufactured by Ciba Specialty Chemicals) was mixed as a photopolymerization initiator so as to be 0.2% with respect to the above mixture to prepare a composition.

この組成物を凹凸部材としてスピンコート法によりガラス基板上に均一にコーティングし、100℃で3分間保持した。次に組成物全面に紫外線を照射後、200℃で60分間保持し、厚さ4.9μm膜を作製した。このようにして作製した膜の上に、膜厚60nmのSiO膜をスパッタ法により形成し、SiO膜の上にフォトレジストをスピンコート法により塗布した。次にフォトマスクをガラス基板のSiO膜側に配置して紫外線露光し、その後ドライエッチングを行った。このようにして、図1に示すような回折格子12Aを、格子ピッチ4μm、格子高さ4.9μmにして作製した。 This composition was coated uniformly on a glass substrate as a concavo-convex member by a spin coating method, and held at 100 ° C. for 3 minutes. Next, the entire surface of the composition was irradiated with ultraviolet rays, and then kept at 200 ° C. for 60 minutes to produce a 4.9 μm thick film. A SiO 2 film having a thickness of 60 nm was formed by sputtering on the film thus prepared, and a photoresist was applied on the SiO 2 film by spin coating. Next, a photomask was placed on the SiO 2 film side of the glass substrate and exposed to ultraviolet light, and then dry etching was performed. In this way, a diffraction grating 12A as shown in FIG. 1 was manufactured with a grating pitch of 4 μm and a grating height of 4.9 μm.

凹凸部材の吸収端の波長は590nmであり、550nmでの吸収係数kは0.28であった。屈折率は波長650nmにおいて1.703、波長790nmにおいて1.656であり、上記2波長での屈折率の差は0.047であった。   The wavelength of the absorption edge of the concavo-convex member was 590 nm, and the absorption coefficient k at 550 nm was 0.28. The refractive index was 1.703 at a wavelength of 650 nm and 1.656 at a wavelength of 790 nm, and the difference in refractive index between the two wavelengths was 0.047.

次に、式2で表される化合物、ビス(β−エピチオプロピル)スルフィドにテトラブチルアンモニウムブロミドを0.1%添加し、5分間攪拌した後、モノマの状態で充填部材として格子の凹凸部に充填し、さらに別のガラス基板を積層して、回折格子と充填部材を挟み込んだ。その後、100℃で4時間加熱し充填部材を硬化させた。硬化後の充填部材の屈折率は波長650nmにおいて1.704であり、790nmにおいて1.697であった。   Next, 0.1% of tetrabutylammonium bromide was added to the compound represented by Formula 2, bis (β-epithiopropyl) sulfide, and stirred for 5 minutes, and then the concave and convex portions of the lattice as a filling member in a monomer state. Then, another glass substrate was laminated, and the diffraction grating and the filling member were sandwiched. Thereafter, the filling member was cured by heating at 100 ° C. for 4 hours. The refractive index of the filling member after curing was 1.704 at a wavelength of 650 nm and 1.697 at 790 nm.

このようにして作製した素子に波長790nmの半導体レーザ光を入射したところ、0次回折光の透過率が73%であり、+1次回折光および−1次回折光の回折効率がおのおの9%であった。また、波長650nmの半導体レーザ光を入射したところ、0次回折光の透過率が95%であり、+1次回折光、−1次回折光、および高次回折光の回折効率はいずれも0.5%以下であり、本素子は上記2波長で波長選択性のある回折機能を示した。   When semiconductor laser light having a wavelength of 790 nm was incident on the device thus fabricated, the transmittance of 0th-order diffracted light was 73%, and the diffraction efficiencies of + 1st-order diffracted light and -1st-order diffracted light were 9% each. When a semiconductor laser beam having a wavelength of 650 nm is incident, the transmittance of the 0th-order diffracted light is 95%, and the diffraction efficiencies of the + 1st-order diffracted light, the −1st-order diffracted light, and the higher-order diffracted light are all 0.5% or less. In addition, this element exhibited a diffraction function with wavelength selectivity at the above two wavelengths.

Figure 0004591602
Figure 0004591602

「例13」
赤色有機物顔料としてピグメントレッド254を14.7%含む顔料含有液である御国色素社製CFレッドEX−2739を91%、ペンタエリスリトールテトラアクリレート(日本化薬社製KAYARAD−DPHA)を7%、プロピレングリコール−1−モノメチルエーテル−2−アセテートを2%混合し混合物を作製した。さらに光重合開始材として、イルガキュア907(チバスペシャリティケミカルズ社製)を上記混合物に対して0.2%となるよう混合し組成物を作製した。
"Example 13"
As a red organic pigment, Pigment Red 254 is a pigment-containing solution containing 14.7% of Pigment Red CF-EX-2739 made by Gokoku Color Co., Ltd. 91% pentaerythritol tetraacrylate (Nippon Kayaku KAYARAD-DPHA), 7% propylene A mixture was prepared by mixing 2% of glycol-1-monomethyl ether-2-acetate. Further, Irgacure 907 (manufactured by Ciba Specialty Chemicals) was mixed as a photopolymerization initiator so as to be 0.2% with respect to the above mixture to prepare a composition.

この組成物を凹凸部材としてスピンコート法によりガラス基板上に均一にコーティングし、100℃で3分間保持した。次に組成物全面に紫外線を照射後、200℃で60分間保持し、厚さ2.7μm膜を作製した。このようにして作製した膜の上に、膜厚60nmのSiO膜をスパッタ法により形成し、SiO膜の上にフォトレジストをスピンコート法により塗布した。次にフォトマスクをガラス基板のSiO膜側に配置して紫外線露光し、その後ドライエッチングを行った。このようにして、図2に示すような回折格子12Bを、格子ピッチ4μm、格子高さ2.7μmにして作製した。 This composition was coated uniformly on a glass substrate as a concavo-convex member by a spin coating method, and held at 100 ° C. for 3 minutes. Next, the entire surface of the composition was irradiated with ultraviolet rays, and then kept at 200 ° C. for 60 minutes to produce a film having a thickness of 2.7 μm. A SiO 2 film having a thickness of 60 nm was formed by sputtering on the film thus prepared, and a photoresist was applied on the SiO 2 film by spin coating. Next, a photomask was placed on the SiO 2 film side of the glass substrate and exposed to ultraviolet light, and then dry etching was performed. In this way, a diffraction grating 12B as shown in FIG. 2 was produced with a grating pitch of 4 μm and a grating height of 2.7 μm.

凹凸部材の吸収端の波長は590nmであり、550nmでの吸収係数kは0.29であった。屈折率は波長650nmにおいて1.756、波長790nmにおいて1.695であり、上記2波長での屈折率の差は0.061であった。   The wavelength of the absorption edge of the concavo-convex member was 590 nm, and the absorption coefficient k at 550 nm was 0.29. The refractive index was 1.756 at a wavelength of 650 nm and 1.695 at a wavelength of 790 nm, and the difference in refractive index between the two wavelengths was 0.061.

次に、実施例12で用いた充填部材を使用して、同様に格子の凹凸部に充填し、さらに別のガラス基板を積層して、回折格子と充填部材を挟み込んだ。その後、100℃で4時間加熱し充填部材を硬化させた。硬化後の充填部材の屈折率は波長650nmにおいて1.704であり、790nmにおいて1.697であった。   Next, the filling member used in Example 12 was used to fill the uneven portions of the grating in the same manner, and another glass substrate was laminated to sandwich the diffraction grating and the filling member. Thereafter, the filling member was cured by heating at 100 ° C. for 4 hours. The refractive index of the filling member after curing was 1.704 at a wavelength of 650 nm and 1.697 at 790 nm.

このようにして作製した素子に波長790nmの半導体レーザ光を入射したところ、0次回折光の透過率が97%であり、+1次回折光および−1次回折光の回折効率がおのおの0.5%以下であった。また、波長650nmの半導体レーザ光を入射したところ、0次回折光の透過率が70%であり、+1次回折光、−1次回折光、および高次回折光の回折効率はいずれも10%であり、本素子は上記2波長の光で波長選択性のある回折機能を示した。   When a semiconductor laser beam having a wavelength of 790 nm is incident on the device thus fabricated, the transmittance of the 0th-order diffracted light is 97%, and the diffraction efficiencies of the + 1st-order diffracted light and the −1st-order diffracted light are each 0.5% or less. there were. When a semiconductor laser beam having a wavelength of 650 nm is incident, the transmittance of the 0th-order diffracted light is 70%, and the diffraction efficiencies of the + 1st-order diffracted light, the −1st-order diffracted light, and the higher-order diffracted light are all 10%. The element exhibited a diffraction function having wavelength selectivity with the light of the two wavelengths.

「例14」
例12で用いたのと同じ赤色有機物顔料を含む組成物を凹凸部材として、スピンコート法によりガラス基板上に均一にコーティングし、100℃で3分間保持した。次に組成物全面に紫外線を照射後、200℃で60分間保持し、厚さ10.0μmの膜を作製した。このようにして作製した膜の上に、膜厚60nmのSiO膜をスパッタ法により形成し、SiO膜の上にフォトレジストをスピンコート法により塗布した。次にフォトマスクをガラス基板のSiO膜側に配置して紫外線露光し、その後ドライエッチングを行った。このようにして、図16に示すような波長選択性回折素子12Hを、格子ピッチ10μm、格子高さ10.0μmにして作製した。この回折素子は、周辺部のみに回折格子が存在するもの(図12(b)参照)である。
"Example 14"
A composition containing the same red organic pigment as used in Example 12 was used as a concavo-convex member, which was uniformly coated on a glass substrate by a spin coating method and held at 100 ° C. for 3 minutes. Next, the entire surface of the composition was irradiated with ultraviolet rays, and then kept at 200 ° C. for 60 minutes to produce a film having a thickness of 10.0 μm. A SiO 2 film having a thickness of 60 nm was formed by sputtering on the film thus prepared, and a photoresist was applied on the SiO 2 film by spin coating. Next, a photomask was placed on the SiO 2 film side of the glass substrate and exposed to ultraviolet light, and then dry etching was performed. In this way, a wavelength selective diffraction element 12H as shown in FIG. 16 was fabricated with a grating pitch of 10 μm and a grating height of 10.0 μm. This diffractive element has a diffraction grating only in the peripheral part (see FIG. 12B).

次に、例12で用いた充填部材を使用して、同様に格子の凹凸部に充填し、さらに別のガラス基板を積層して、回折格子と充填部材を挟み込んだ。その後、100℃で4時間加熱し充填部材を硬化させた。このようにして作製した素子に波長650nmの半導体レーザ光を入射したところ、0次回折光の透過率が95%であり、+1次回折光および−1次回折光の回折効率がおのおの0.5%以下であった。また、波長790nmの半導体レーザ光を入射したところ、0次回折光の透過率が10%であり、本素子は上記2波長の光で波長選択性のある回折機能を示した。   Next, the filling member used in Example 12 was used to fill the concave and convex portions of the grating in the same manner, and another glass substrate was laminated to sandwich the diffraction grating and the filling member. Thereafter, the filling member was cured by heating at 100 ° C. for 4 hours. When a semiconductor laser beam having a wavelength of 650 nm is incident on the device thus fabricated, the transmittance of the 0th-order diffracted light is 95%, and the diffraction efficiencies of the + 1st-order diffracted light and the −1st-order diffracted light are each 0.5% or less. there were. Further, when a semiconductor laser beam having a wavelength of 790 nm was incident, the transmittance of 0th-order diffracted light was 10%, and this element exhibited a diffraction function having wavelength selectivity with the above-mentioned two wavelengths of light.

「例15」
例12で用いたのと同じ赤色有機物顔料を含む組成物を凹凸部材として、スピンコート法によりガラス基板上に均一にコーティングし、100℃で3分間保持した。次に組成物全面に紫外線を照射後、200℃で60分間保持し、厚さ15.0μmの膜を作製した。このようにして作製した膜の上に、膜厚60nmのSiO膜をスパッタ法により形成し、SiO膜の上にフォトレジストをスピンコート法により塗布した。次にフォトマスクをガラス基板のSiO膜側に配置して紫外線露光し、その後ドライエッチングを行った。その後、SiO膜形成からドライエッチングまでの工程を繰り返すことで、図18に示すような波長選択性回折素子12Jを、格子ピッチ30μm、各段の高さが5.0μm、合計高さ15.0μmにして作製した。
"Example 15"
A composition containing the same red organic pigment as used in Example 12 was used as a concavo-convex member, which was uniformly coated on a glass substrate by a spin coating method and held at 100 ° C. for 3 minutes. Next, the entire surface of the composition was irradiated with ultraviolet rays, and then kept at 200 ° C. for 60 minutes to produce a film having a thickness of 15.0 μm. A SiO 2 film having a thickness of 60 nm was formed by sputtering on the film thus prepared, and a photoresist was applied on the SiO 2 film by spin coating. Next, a photomask was placed on the SiO 2 film side of the glass substrate and exposed to ultraviolet light, and then dry etching was performed. Thereafter, by repeating the steps from SiO 2 film formation to dry etching, a wavelength selective diffraction element 12J as shown in FIG. 18 has a grating pitch of 30 μm, a height of each step of 5.0 μm, and a total height of 15. The thickness was 0 μm.

次に、例12で用いた充填部材を使用して、同様に格子の凹凸部に充填し、さらに別のガラス基板を積層して、回折格子と充填部材を挟み込んだ。その後、100℃で4時間加熱し充填部材を硬化させた。このようにして作製した素子に波長650nmの半導体レーザ光を入射したところ、0次回折光の透過率が90%であり、+1次回折光および−1次回折光の回折効率がおのおの0.5%以下であった。また、波長790nmの半導体レーザ光を入射したところ、+1次回折光の透過率が75%であり、0次回折光、−1次回折光の回折効率はいずれも0.5%以下であり、本素子は上記2波長で波長選択性のある回折機能を示した。   Next, the filling member used in Example 12 was used to fill the concave and convex portions of the grating in the same manner, and another glass substrate was laminated to sandwich the diffraction grating and the filling member. Thereafter, the filling member was cured by heating at 100 ° C. for 4 hours. When a semiconductor laser beam having a wavelength of 650 nm is incident on the device thus fabricated, the transmittance of the 0th-order diffracted light is 90%, and the diffraction efficiencies of the + 1st-order diffracted light and the −1st-order diffracted light are each 0.5% or less. there were. When a semiconductor laser beam having a wavelength of 790 nm is incident, the transmittance of the + 1st order diffracted light is 75%, and the diffraction efficiencies of the 0th order diffracted light and the −1st order diffracted light are both 0.5% or less. The diffraction function with wavelength selectivity at the above two wavelengths was shown.

「例16」
本例の2波長用の光ヘッド装置は、例14で作製した波長選択性回折素子が、図17に示す波長選択性回折素子1Hのように、コリメートレンズ5と対物レンズ6との間に配置された構成となっている。本発明の波長選択性回折素子が使用されているため、波長λの光の開口数を変化させることなく、波長λの光の開口数を小さくでき、また、回折素子の格子ピッチを小さくしても波長λの光の透過率が低下しないため、格子ピッチを小さくして波長λの光の回折角度を大きくでき、迷光が少なく、S/Nのよい安定した情報の記録、再生を行うことができた。
"Example 16"
In the two-wavelength optical head device of this example, the wavelength-selective diffraction element produced in Example 14 is arranged between the collimating lens 5 and the objective lens 6 like the wavelength-selective diffraction element 1H shown in FIG. It has been configured. Since the wavelength-selective diffraction element of the present invention is used, without changing the numerical aperture of the wavelength lambda 1 of the light, it is possible to reduce the numerical aperture of the wavelength lambda 2 of light, also the grating pitch of the diffraction element smaller However, since the transmittance of light of wavelength λ 1 does not decrease, the grating pitch can be reduced, the diffraction angle of light of wavelength λ 2 can be increased, there is little stray light, and stable information recording and reproduction with good S / N. Was able to do.

「例17」
本例の2波長用の光ヘッド装置は、例15で作製した波長選択性回折素子が、図19に示す波長選択性回折素子1Jのように、ビームスプリッタ4と光検出器8との間に配置された構成となっている。本発明の波長選択性回折素子が使用されているため、波長λの光を高い透過率で透過させるとともに波長λの光を高い回折効率で回折させることができ、波長λおよび波長λのいずれの光も同一の光検出器8の受光面に効率よく集光され、少ない部品点数でS/Nのよい安定した情報の記録、再生を行うことができた。
"Example 17"
In the two-wavelength optical head device of this example, the wavelength-selective diffractive element manufactured in Example 15 is arranged between the beam splitter 4 and the photodetector 8 like the wavelength-selective diffractive element 1J shown in FIG. It is an arranged configuration. Since the wavelength-selective diffraction element of the present invention is used, it is possible to diffract the light of the wavelength lambda 2 at a high diffraction efficiency, and to reflect light having a wavelength lambda 1 at a high transmittance, the wavelength lambda 1 and wavelength lambda Any of the two lights was efficiently condensed on the light receiving surface of the same photodetector 8, and stable information recording and reproduction with a good S / N could be performed with a small number of parts.

以上説明したように、本発明の波長選択性回折素子を用いれば、特定の波長に対して3ビームを発生する回折格子やホログラムビームスプリッタとして機能する光学素子が実現する。このような波長選択性回折素子を光ヘッド装置に搭載することにより、CD系とDVD系の光に対して独立に回折効率や回折角度を設定できるため、おのおのの光学系で最適に光ディスクの情報を検出できる。   As described above, when the wavelength selective diffraction element of the present invention is used, an optical element that functions as a diffraction grating or a hologram beam splitter that generates three beams for a specific wavelength is realized. By mounting such a wavelength-selective diffractive element in the optical head device, the diffraction efficiency and angle can be set independently for CD and DVD light. Can be detected.

さらに、本発明の波長選択性回折素子を用いた光ヘッド装置では、2波長用半導体レーザの搭載による半導体レーザ数の削減に加えて、さらに装置の部品点数の削減および小型化が実現できるとともに、CD系光ディスクおよびDVD系光ディスクの情報の記録および再生において、光利用効率の高い安定した記録および再生性能が実現できる。   Furthermore, in the optical head device using the wavelength selective diffraction element of the present invention, in addition to the reduction in the number of semiconductor lasers by mounting the semiconductor laser for two wavelengths, it is possible to further reduce the number of parts and the size of the device, In recording and reproduction of information on CD optical discs and DVD optical discs, stable recording and reproduction performance with high light utilization efficiency can be realized.

1A、1B、1C、1D、1E、1F、1G、1H、1J:波長選択性回折素子
3:2波長用半導体レーザ
3A,3B:半導体レーザ
4:ビームスプリッタ
5:コリメートレンズ
6:対物レンズ
7:光ディスク
8、8A、8B:光検出器
9:波長合成プリズム
10:3ビーム発生用回折格子
11:ホログラムビームスプリッタ
11A、14A、11B、14B、11C、16C、17C、11D、15D、11E、11F:透明基板
12A、12B、12C,15C、12D、14D:回折格子
13A、13B、13C、14C、13D:充填部材
12E、12F、11G:位相板
1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E, 1F, 1G, 1H, 1J: Wavelength selective diffraction element 3: Semiconductor laser 3A for two wavelengths, 3B: Semiconductor laser 4: Beam splitter 5: Collimator lens 6: Objective lens 7: Optical disc 8, 8A, 8B: Photo detector 9: Wavelength synthesis prism 10: Diffraction grating 11 for generating three beams 11: Hologram beam splitters 11A, 14A, 11B, 14B, 11C, 16C, 17C, 11D, 15D, 11E, 11F: Transparent substrates 12A, 12B, 12C, 15C, 12D, 14D: Diffraction gratings 13A, 13B, 13C, 14C, 13D: Filling members 12E, 12F, 11G: Phase plates

Claims (4)

波長λおよび波長λ(λ<λ)の2つの光を入射させて用い
周期的凹凸状の格子を表面に形成した透明基板と、前記格子の凹凸部に充填された充填部材とを備え、
前記凹凸部を形成する凹凸部材または前記充填部材のいずれかが前記波長λよりも短い波長域に光の吸収端を有する材料を含んで、前記波長λ の光に対する屈折率が前記波長λ の光の屈折率より高く、
かつ前記凹凸部材と前記充填部材とは、前記波長λ の光または前記波長λ の光のいずれか一方の波長の光に対しては同じ屈折率を有しこの一方の波長の光を回折せず透過し、他方の波長の光に対しては異なる屈折率を有しこの他方の波長の光を回折することを特徴とする波長選択性回折素子。
Two light beams having a wavelength λ 1 and a wavelength λ 212 ) are incident and used .
Comprising a transparent substrate provided with the periodic uneven grating surface, and a filling member filled in the concave-convex portion of the grating,
Include a material either uneven member or the filling member to form the uneven portion has an absorption edge of light in a wavelength range shorter than the wavelength lambda 1, the refractive index with respect to the wavelength lambda 1 of the light the wavelength lambda Higher than the refractive index of the light of 2 ,
And wherein the concave-convex member and the filling member, the diffraction light of a wavelength of the one having the same refractive index for one of the wavelengths of the wavelength lambda 1 of the light or the wavelength lambda 2 of light A wavelength-selective diffractive element characterized by having a different refractive index with respect to light of the other wavelength and diffracting the light of the other wavelength.
前記波長λの光は回折せず透過し前記波長λの光を回折する請求項1記載の波長選択性回折素子と、前記波長λの光は回折せず透過し前記波長λの光を回折する請求項1記載の波長選択性回折素子とを備え、これら波長選択性回折素子が積層されて構成されている波長選択性回折素子。 A wavelength-selective diffraction element according to claim 1, wherein the light of said wavelength lambda 1 is for diffracting the transmitted the wavelength lambda 2 of light not diffracted, light of the wavelength lambda 2 passes through without diffraction of the wavelength lambda 1 A wavelength selective diffraction element comprising: the wavelength selective diffraction element according to claim 1 diffracting light; and the wavelength selective diffraction element being laminated. 前記凹凸部または前記充填部材のいずれかが有機物顔料を含み、
前記有機物顔料として赤色有機物顔料を用いる請求項1または2記載の波長選択性回折素子。
Either the uneven part or the filling member contains an organic pigment,
The wavelength-selective diffraction element according to claim 1, wherein a red organic pigment is used as the organic pigment.
波長λおよび波長λの2つの光を出射する光源と、前記2つの光を光記録媒体に集光する対物レンズと、前記2つの光の光記録媒体からの反射光を検出する光検出器とを備え
前記光源と前記対物レンズとの間の光路中に、請求項1、2または3記載の波長選択性回折素子が設置されていることを特徴とする光ヘッド装置。
A light source for emitting two light wavelengths lambda 1 and wavelength lambda 2, an objective lens for focusing the two light to the optical recording medium, light detector for detecting light reflected from the optical recording medium of the two optical comprising a vessel, a,
An optical head and wherein in the optical path, the wavelength-selective diffraction element according to claim 1, wherein is provided between the light source and the objective lens.
JP2009012880A 2001-02-14 2009-01-23 Wavelength selective diffraction element and optical head device Expired - Fee Related JP4591602B2 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP2009012880A JP4591602B2 (en) 2001-02-14 2009-01-23 Wavelength selective diffraction element and optical head device

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP2001037552 2001-02-14
JP2009012880A JP4591602B2 (en) 2001-02-14 2009-01-23 Wavelength selective diffraction element and optical head device

Related Parent Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
JP2001378925A Division JP4345256B2 (en) 2001-02-14 2001-12-12 Wavelength selective diffraction element and optical head device

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
JP2009093795A JP2009093795A (en) 2009-04-30
JP2009093795A5 JP2009093795A5 (en) 2010-03-25
JP4591602B2 true JP4591602B2 (en) 2010-12-01

Family

ID=40665603

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
JP2009012880A Expired - Fee Related JP4591602B2 (en) 2001-02-14 2009-01-23 Wavelength selective diffraction element and optical head device

Country Status (1)

Country Link
JP (1) JP4591602B2 (en)

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP5496258B2 (en) * 2012-06-11 2014-05-21 キヤノン株式会社 Laminated diffractive optical element and optical system

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPH0336314U (en) * 1989-08-09 1991-04-09
WO1998013826A1 (en) * 1996-09-27 1998-04-02 Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. Optical pickup device and wavelength selective diffraction grating
JP2000123403A (en) * 1998-10-19 2000-04-28 Victor Co Of Japan Ltd Optical pickup and optical device
JP2000258605A (en) * 1999-03-04 2000-09-22 Fuji Photo Film Co Ltd Optical filter and antireflection film
JP2001028145A (en) * 1999-07-13 2001-01-30 Toshiba Corp Optical head device and disk recording/reproducing device

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPH0336314U (en) * 1989-08-09 1991-04-09
WO1998013826A1 (en) * 1996-09-27 1998-04-02 Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. Optical pickup device and wavelength selective diffraction grating
JP2000123403A (en) * 1998-10-19 2000-04-28 Victor Co Of Japan Ltd Optical pickup and optical device
JP2000258605A (en) * 1999-03-04 2000-09-22 Fuji Photo Film Co Ltd Optical filter and antireflection film
JP2001028145A (en) * 1999-07-13 2001-01-30 Toshiba Corp Optical head device and disk recording/reproducing device

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JP2009093795A (en) 2009-04-30

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
JP4345256B2 (en) Wavelength selective diffraction element and optical head device
US7511887B2 (en) Diffraction grating, method of fabricating diffraction optical element, optical pickup device, and optical disk drive
US20060033913A1 (en) Diffraction element and optical head device
KR101105186B1 (en) Polarizing diffraction element and optical head device
US7548359B2 (en) Double-wavelength light source unit and optical head device having four diffraction gratings
JP4691830B2 (en) Wavelength selective diffraction element and optical head device
JP4560906B2 (en) Optical head device
JP4378832B2 (en) Optical head device
WO2004097819A1 (en) Optical diffraction device and optical information processing device
JP4591602B2 (en) Wavelength selective diffraction element and optical head device
KR101097078B1 (en) Diffraction element and optical head device
KR100985422B1 (en) Double-wavelength light source unit and optical head device
CN100575991C (en) Polarization diffraction device and optic probe device
JP4599763B2 (en) Optical head device
JP3851253B2 (en) Diffraction grating and optical pickup
JP4735749B2 (en) Optical head device

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
A521 Request for written amendment filed

Free format text: JAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: A523

Effective date: 20100209

A977 Report on retrieval

Free format text: JAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: A971007

Effective date: 20100720

TRDD Decision of grant or rejection written
A01 Written decision to grant a patent or to grant a registration (utility model)

Free format text: JAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: A01

Effective date: 20100817

A01 Written decision to grant a patent or to grant a registration (utility model)

Free format text: JAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: A01

A61 First payment of annual fees (during grant procedure)

Free format text: JAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: A61

Effective date: 20100830

FPAY Renewal fee payment (event date is renewal date of database)

Free format text: PAYMENT UNTIL: 20130924

Year of fee payment: 3

R151 Written notification of patent or utility model registration

Ref document number: 4591602

Country of ref document: JP

Free format text: JAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: R151

FPAY Renewal fee payment (event date is renewal date of database)

Free format text: PAYMENT UNTIL: 20130924

Year of fee payment: 3

FPAY Renewal fee payment (event date is renewal date of database)

Free format text: PAYMENT UNTIL: 20130924

Year of fee payment: 3

S531 Written request for registration of change of domicile

Free format text: JAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: R313531

FPAY Renewal fee payment (event date is renewal date of database)

Free format text: PAYMENT UNTIL: 20130924

Year of fee payment: 3

R371 Transfer withdrawn

Free format text: JAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: R371

S531 Written request for registration of change of domicile

Free format text: JAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: R313531

FPAY Renewal fee payment (event date is renewal date of database)

Free format text: PAYMENT UNTIL: 20130924

Year of fee payment: 3

R350 Written notification of registration of transfer

Free format text: JAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: R350

S533 Written request for registration of change of name

Free format text: JAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: R313533

R350 Written notification of registration of transfer

Free format text: JAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: R350

R250 Receipt of annual fees

Free format text: JAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: R250

R250 Receipt of annual fees

Free format text: JAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: R250

R250 Receipt of annual fees

Free format text: JAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: R250

LAPS Cancellation because of no payment of annual fees