An information recording and/or reproducing apparatus includes a laser
light source from which a laser beam having a wavelength of from 220 nm
to 280 nm exits; and a converging lens unit disposed at a nearfield area
of a recording medium and upon which the laser beam from the laser light
source is incident. The converging lens unit includes an objective lens
and a solid immersion lens. The solid immersion lens is disposed between
the objective lens and the recording medium, and is formed of a highly
refractive material having a high transmittance. The information
recording and/or reproducing apparatus records an information signal onto
or reproduces an information signal from the recording medium by
irradiating the recording medium with the laser beam from the laser light
source.