Optical pickup and opto-magnetic signal reproducing apparatus

摘要

An optical pickup includes a polarization component separation element which is formed as a unit or single piece of birefringence material. The separation element is not laminated obviating the need to carefully match the optical axes of the laminated pieces. Multiple reflections within the birefringent crystal which comprises the separation element improves the separation and resolution of the polarized components which are extracted from a laser beam reflected back off the media surface.