Patent ID: 6914868

Claim:
An optical head for use in a optical read/write apparatus for use with a read/write medium comprising: a light source, outputting light at an initial light output location; at least a first photodetector array mounted in a fixed position with respect to said initial light output location, said first photodetector array having at least a first surface defining a photodetector plane; and an optical element unit, mounted in a fixed position with respect to said light output location, said optical element unit having a first beam shaping optical element and second beam shaping optical element which receive light output at said light output location to modify the angular divergence of the light output, said optical element unit including at least a third optical element configured for directing at least a portion of light reflected from said medium along a path for arrival at said first photodetector array; said optical head providing at least a first optical path, where said first optical path originates at said initial light output location and reaches at least said read/write medium.