Increases in the data transfer rates of optical disc drives have resulted
in problems such as increases in optical disc vibrations due to higher
rotation speeds or increases in heat generation due to increases in the
output of motors for rotating the optical discs and in the output of
laser diodes. To solve such problems, an optical pickup is provided with
an air duct therein, and a space that is formed between the optical disc
and a top case of a casing and that has negative pressure during rotation
of the optical disc is connected to the air duct in the optical pickup
via a tube, at least part of the tube being deformable. The optical
pickup is cooled by the air flow through the air duct induced by pressure
difference.