Optical pickup and optical storage device

An optical pickup comprising:

• a stem;
• a substrate mounted on said stem;
• a laser diode for outputting a laser beam;
• a photodetector provided on said substrate for detecting return light from an object to be irradiated with said laser beam;
• and
• a metal layer provided on said substrate so as to cover at least a region adjacent to said photodetector, said metal layer having a surface modified so as to have light absorptivity.

An optical storage device capable of at least reading information stored in an optical storage medium, comprising:

• a base;
• a carriage movable along said optical storage medium;
• a stem mounted on said base;
• a substrate mounted on said stem;
• a laser diode for outputting a laser beam;
• an objective lens mounted on said carriage for focusing said laser beam from said laser diode onto said optical storage medium;
• a photodetector provided on said substrate for detecting at least a regenerative signal from a reflected beam from said optical storage medium;
• and
• a metal layer provided on said substrate so as to cover at least a region adjacent to said photodetector, said metal layer having a surface modified so as to have light absorptivity.