An optical disc apparatus in which the inclination of an optical axis of
laser light relative to an optical disc is adjusted. When data is
recorded, laser light is irradiated at recording power in mark periods
and irradiated at reproducing power or erasing power in space periods.
Immediately after the beginning of the mark periods, no pits are ye
formed even though recording power is applied and the amount of reflected
light has a level corresponding to the inclination of the optical axis of
laser light relative to the optical disc without influence exerted by the
pits. Also in the space period, the amount of reflected light has a level
corresponding to the inclination of the optical axis of laser light
relative to the optical disc. By sampling the reflected light signal at
the instant following to the beginning of the mark period or space
periods, the inclination is adjusted so as to maximize the sampled signal
level.