An optical device used for converging a light beam on a signal recording
surface of an optical disc includes an optical lens for converging the
light beam on a signal recording surface of the optical disc and a light
barrier portion provided on a surface of the optical lens facing the
optical disc. The light barrier portion includes a light transmitting
aperture through which is transmitted the light beam converged by the
optical lens. The light beam illuminated on the optical disc has its
diameter controlled by this light transmitting aperture. The light
radiated by a light source so as to be incident to the optical device is
converged by the optical lens. The light converged by the optical lens is
transmitted through the light transmitting aperture and illuminated on
the signal recording surface of the optical disc. The diameter of the
light beam illuminated on the signal recording surface of the optical
disc is controlled by the light transmitting aperture, and thus the
numerical aperture NA of the optical device is determined.