Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for reading from and/or writing to optical recording media, having a light source for producing a scanning beam for scanning the optical recording medium, detection means for detecting the beam influenced by the optical recording medium, and an optical element arranged in the optical beam path by means of a holder. The optical element has in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the beam path outer boundary lines inclined to one another in such a way as to enable a unique orientation. The holder has a cutout with correspondingly inclined inner boundary lines.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a phase shift grating for phase shift differential push-pull tracking, and to an apparatus for reading from and/or writing to optical recording media using such a phase shift grating. According to the invention, the phase shift grating has two phase gratings, with grating sections on opposite sides of a line separating the two phase gratings being phase shifted by ?, which have curved grating lines which are designed such that the first diffraction order of a divergent light beam diffracted by the phase shift grating essentially is a TEM01 mode. The phase shift grating is suitable for a divergent light beam.

Abstract: An optical scanner having a micro-optical element for combining two light beams is disclosed. The optical scanner has a micro-optical element including two parts, which serves to combine two light beams emitted, by two beam sources on a photodetector. The first part of the micro-optical element influences the first light beam and the second part of the micro-optical element influences the second light beam.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for reading from and/or writing to optical recording media, having a light source for producing a scanning beam for scanning the optical recording medium, detection means for detecting the beam influenced by the optical recording medium, and an optical element arranged in the optical beam path by means of a holder. The optical element has in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the beam path outer boundary lines inclined to one another in such a way as to enable a unique orientation. The holder has a cutout with correspondingly inclined inner boundary lines.

Abstract: An optical scanner having a micro-optical element for combining two light beams is disclosed. The optical scanner has a micro-optical element including two parts, which serves to combine two light beams emitted, by two beam sources on a photodetector. The first part of the micro-optical element influences the first light beam and the second part of the micro-optical element influences the second light beam.

Abstract: A Q-switched solid state laser is disclosed comprising a pump radiation source, whose pump radiation is focused through focusing elements in the laser crystal, a resonator formed by reflecting surfaces in which at least one laser crystal, an acousto-optic switch for Q-switching, and, if desired, a freqency-doubling crystal (KTP) are arranged. The acousto-optic Q-switch is connected with an electronic unit generating a high-frequency wave which can be modulated. The Q-switch is controlled by the high-frequency wave in such a way that laser pulses with pulse lengths on the order of magnitude of several microseconds (&mgr;s) and with an energy content on the order of magnitude of several millijoules can be generated by controlling the steepness of the edge of the modulation function of the high-frequency wave.

Abstract: A Q-switched solid state laser is disclosed comprising a pump radiation source, whose pump radiation is focused through focusing elements in the laser crystal, a resonator formed by reflecting surfaces in which at least one laser crystal, an acousto-optic switch for Q-switching, and, if desired, a freqency-doubling crystal (KTP) are arranged. The acousto-optic Q-switch is connected with an electronic unit generating a high-frequency wave which can be modulated. The Q-switch is controlled by the high-frequency wave in such a way that laser pulses with pulse lengths on the order of magnitude of several microseconds (&mgr;s) and with an energy content on the order of magnitude of several millijoules can be generated by controlling the steepness of the edge of the modulation function of the high-frequency wave.