Patent ID: 7050364

Claim:
An optical unit for scanning an optical disk using a radiation beam directed in a direction axial of said disk when said disk is arranged in a substantially planar scanning area adjacent the unit, the unit comprising: a. a first optical branch including a first radiation source ( 2 ) for emitting a first radiation beam comprising a first wavelength, and a first reflective element ( 8 ) located in the path of the first radiation beam for reflecting the first beam towards said scanning area in said axial direction, the unit being arranged such that said first beam is directed along a first linear optical path portion when incident from said first radiation source upon said first reflective element; and b. a second optical branch including a second radiation source ( 18 ) for emitting a second radiation beam comprising a second wavelength, different from said first wavelength, and a second reflective element ( 28 ) located in the path of the second radiation beam for reflecting the second beam towards said scanning area in said axial direction, the unit being arranged such that said second beam, is directed along a second linear path portion when incident from said second radiation source upon said second reflective element, wherein said first reflective element is arranged between said second reflective element and said scanning area such that said first and second branches are stacked in said axial direction, and wherein said first and second optical path portions are arranged substantially perpendicularly to each other and to said axial direction.