Patent ID: 6542447
Filing Date: 2003-04-01
Classification: G11B

Abstract:
A magneto-optical pickup having first and second optical paths, comprising:a light source for emitting a light beam, the light beam traveling to an information recording medium along the first optical path; a first light receiving element group for detecting an error signal; a second light receiving element group for detecting a magneto-optical signal, the first and second light receiving element groups being situated substantially on one plane; a diffraction grating for diffracting light returned along the first optical path from the information storage medium, the diffracted light being directed toward the first light receiving element group; a polarization beam splitter for separating a part of the return light from the information storage medium, a beam of the separated part of return light traveling to the second light receiving element group along the second optical path; a mirror for bending the second optical path, the light beam reflected thereby being directed toward the second light receiving element group; and an anisotropic optical crystal member having an optic axis inclined to the optical axis at an angle within the range between 30Â° and 60Â°, the crystal member including a flat parallel plate portion, for splitting the reflected light beam from the mirror into a plurality of split light beams and directing the split light beams toward the second light receiving element group.