The optical tape recorder of the present invention is capable of archiving data at rates in excess of 400 megabits per second by concurrently writing or reading a plurality of data tracks in each data trace. A read-write module (102) outputs an illumination beam (104) comprised of combined multiple write beams (channels), a read beam and an autofocus beam. Optics within the read-write module spatially combine and accurately position the plurality of beams with respect to each other to form the multi-beam illumination beam (104). A read-write head (106) comprised of a synchronized scanning transmissive polygon (110) and rotating lens wheel (112) scans the multi-beam illumination beam (104) across a recording media (108) to read or write multi-channel data tracks. An autofocus system is also included to ensure that the multi-beam illumination beam (104) is accurately focused on the recording media (108).
