Defocus error signal detection apparatus having phase comparators and a matrix circuit for an optical recording/reproduction system

An error signal detection apparatus for an optical recording/reproducing system having a light source emitting a light beam and an objective lens focusing the light beam to form a light spot on a recording medium, the apparatus comprising:

• a photodetecting unit comprising a radially inward portion, a radially outward portion and a central portion, the radially inward portion having first and second light beam detecting portions and the radially outward portion having third and fourth light beam detecting portions, the first, second, third and fourth light beam detecting portions generating first, second, third and fourth detection signals, respectively, from corresponding portions of the light beam passed through the objective lens after being reflected/diffracted from an information stream of the recording medium
• a first phase comparator detecting a phase difference between the first and second detection signals, outputting a first phase comparison signal if the first detection signal leads the second detection signal, and outputting a second phase comparison signal if the second detection signal leads the first detection signal;
• a second phase comparator detecting a phase difference between the third and fourth detection signals, outputting a third phase comparison signal if the third detection signal leads the fourth detection signal, and outputting a fourth phase comparison signal if the fourth detection signal leads the third detection signal;
• and
• a matrix circuit subtracting the output third or fourth phase comparison signal from the output first or second phase comparison signal, to generate a defocus error signal, wherein;
• the central portion of the photodetector is inactive relative to the generation of the defocus error signal.