Abstract: An actuator for an objective lens in an optical head which provides a compact structure that does not move the laser beam relative to the objective lens in the tracking mode. The low profile optical head design is accomplished by designing the optical beam path in the same space occupied by the tracking and focusing motor. A mirror reflects a laser beam from a laser at an angle to an objective lens. The objective lens and the mirror are coupled together in a manner allowing movement of the objective lens relative to the mirror along the path of a laser beam from the mirror to the objective lens. The objective lens, mirror and the coupling mechanism are all moved along the path of the laser beam between laser and the mirror for tracking control. Because the mirror moves with the objective lens, there is no beam clipping or beam distortion. For focusing, the objective lens is moved relative to the mirror.

Abstract: A semiconductor laser assembly is provided with a photodetector module and a laser module mounted on orthogonal surfaces of a heatsink. The photodetector module includes a photodetector and two electrically isolated wire bond blocks, each with two surfaces parallel to the orthogonal surfaces of the heatsink. The laser module includes a laser diode bonded and a wire bond region with two surfaces also parallel to the orthogonal surfaces of the heatsink. Both of the wire bond block surfaces of the photodetector modules are thus parallel to the wire bond region surfaces on the laser module, allowing wire connections to be made between parallel surfaces before the heat sink is mounted on a header. One of the surfaces of each of the wire bond blocks and regions is parallel to the pins of a header, allowing attachment of wires from the photodetector module and the laser module to the pins without rotating the header and pins.

Abstract: The present invention is a combined surface emitting semiconductor laser and photodetector in a single housing with the photodetector positioned to detect light emitted from the surface emitting laser and reflected off of a medium. The surface emitting laser is mounted on the top surface of a chip which includes at least one set of two photodetectors for detecting a reflected beam. At least two photodetectors are used so that spacial variations in the reflected beam can be detected for focusing and tracking when the device is used in an optical head. Photodetectors are arranged to intersect a diffracted beam from a hologram lens used in an optical head. A rear emission photodetector for monitoring the power of the surface emitting laser is positioned so that it will not receive diffracted light which will interfere with its operation.