Light control device, method for driving same and pickup device using the light control device

摘要

A light control device comprises a liquid crystal cell 12, and a pulse control unit 62 or 64 wherein when a transmittance of light transmitted from said liquid crystal element is changed from an actual light transmittance to an intended light transmittance, the pulse control unit is able to insert beforehand a drive pulse for control corresponding to a minimum light transmittance or a maximum light transmittance, at least, prior to application of a drive pulse corresponding to the intended light transmittance. A method of driving the light control device is also described wherein the light control device is driven by use of the drive pulse for control, along with a pickup device wherein the light control device is arranged in a light path of a pickup system.