Method and apparatus for controlling and detecting recording laser beam

Abstract

The control and detection of a laser beam for an optical disc recording/reproducing apparatus in which the intensity of a return laser beam reflected by an optical recording medium of a recording laser beam used for forming pits and recording data on the recording medium during the recording mode is detected and an error signal including focusing and tracking error signals of the recording laser beam is formed on the basis of a detection output of the intensity of the return laser beam within a predetermined time interval before the pit starts to be formed by the recording laser beam on the recording medium to control the recording laser beam, and in which, when recording data on the optical recording medium having sub-data previously recorded thereon as pre-grooves with wobbling, these sub-data are detected on the basis of the detection output of the return laser beam within said predetermined time interval or within a predetermined time interval other than said predetermined time interval.