Magneto-optical head capable of separating beams for reading recorded information and servo information by use of one optical element

摘要

A magneto-optical head for reading information from a recording medium, the head having a laser-based optical system that comprises two light paths, a first path from the source to and continuing through or reflecting from medium and a second path in a different direction which directs light from the medium to a detector. The second path includes a dual prism multiplying element (Wollaston prism) for dividing the reflected beam into three distinctly oriented beams, and a multi division photodetector for detecting a servo signal by the astigmatism method and an information signal by a differential polarization method.