Abstract: A method of and a device for pulse-mode driving a semiconductor laser in which the semiconductor laser (60) is operated by first driving the laser into the LED region with a pedestal current pulse from a first current source (41) and by superposing thereon an information current pulse from a second current source (51) after current stabilization. Due to this two-stage drive, switching transients can be reduced so that shorter pulses are possible and unnecessary power dissipation between the information pulses is avoided, which extends to the lifetime of the semi-conductor laser.

Abstract: An optical recording element comprising an assembly of two parallel substrate plates made from a transparent synthetic resin and each comprising on their facing sides a recording layer which comprises a guide track in the form of a spiral-like groove, and a foil of sythetic resin which with both major surfaces engages or substantially engages the ridges of the recording layers present between the groove turns.