Magneto-optical recording/reproducing apparatus including an optical head with an optical element having a plurality of prisms

Claim 2

An optical head for a magneto-optical recording/reproducing apparatus comprising: a semiconductor laser, ah object lens for condensing a light beam from said semiconductor laser onto a magneto-optical recording medium, an optical element disposed in an optical path from said semiconductor laser to said object lens, said optical element comprising three substantially right-angled prisms and being arranged such that the light beam emitted from said semiconductor laser enters a first end face of a first substantially right-angled prism made of a uniaxial crystal and part of the light beam is reflected by a second end face of said first substantially right-angled prism to exit from a third end face substantially perpendicular to the first end face for separation into first and second light beams having their polarized directions orthogonal to each other, the uniaxial crystal of said first substantially right-angled prism having an optical axis substantially coincident with a propagating direction of the reflected light beam from the second end face, the light beam emitted from said semiconductor laser having its polarized direction inclined at a predetermined angle from said optical axis of the uniaxial crystal; the first and second light beams exiting from said first substantially right-angled prism are focused by said object lens as small first and second light spots on said magneto-optical recording medium; first and second reflected light beams from said magneto-optical recording medium enter said first substantially right-angled prism from the third end face thereof, partially pass through the second end face thereof to enter a second substantially right-angled prism made of a uniaxial crystal from a first end face thereof which is joined to the second end face of said first substantially right-angled prism, emit from a second end face of said second substantially right-angled prism substantially perpendicular to the first end face thereof, enter a third substantially right-angled prism made of glass from a first end face thereof which is joined to the second end face of said second substantially right-angled prism, and then exit from a second end face of said third substantially right-angled prism substantially perpendicularly, so that the two reflected light beams are each separated into two emergent light beams having their polarized directions orthogonal to each other, so that the first reflected light beam is separated into first and second emergent light beams and the second reflected light beam is separated into third and fourth emergent light beams; and said second substantially right-angled prism has an optical axis inclined 45° with respect to the polarized directions of the first and second light beams exiting from the third end face of said first substantially right-angled prism, and light detectors for detecting the first, second, third and fourth emergent beams from said third substantially right-angled prism.

Claim 3

An optical head for a magneto-optical recording/reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when said semiconductor laser is operated to emit the laser beam at high power, said first light spot is used for recording a magneto-optical signal and said second light spot is used for reproducing recorded information.

Claim 4

An optical head for a magneto-optical recording/reproducing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a central intensity of said first light spot is greater than a central intensity of said second light spot.

Claim 5

An optical head for a magneto-optical recording/reproducing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the reproduction of the recorded information using said second light spot is performed based on a differential output of said light detectors for detecting said third and fourth emergent light beams from said third prism.

Claim 6

An optical head for a magneto-optical recording/reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when said semiconductor laser is operated to emit the laser beam at low power, the reproduction of the recorded information is performed based on a differential output of said light detectors for detecting said first and second emergent light beams from said third prism.

Claim 7

An optical head for a magneto-optical recording/reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a half mirror meeting R p=R s =50%, where R p is a refractive index for P-polarized light and R s is a refractive index for S-polarized light, is provided at the joined surface between the second end face of said first substantially right-angled prism made of the uniaxial crystal and the first end face of said second substantially right-angled prism made of the uniaxial crystal.

Claim 8

An optical head for a magneto-optical recording/reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a non-polarizing beam splitter meeting R p =R s , where R p is a refractive index for P-polarized light and R 2 is a refractive index for S-polarized light, is provided at the joined surface between the second end face of said first substantially right-angled prism made of the uniaxial crystal and the first end face of said second substantially right-angled prism made of the uniaxial crystal.

Claim 9

An optical head for a magneto-optical recording/reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a polarizing beam splitter R p ≠R s , where r p is a refractive index for P-polarized light and R s is a refractive index for S-polarized light, is provided at the joined surface between the second end face of said first substantially right-angled prism made of the uniaxial crystal and the first end face of said second substantially right-angled prism made of the uniaxial crystal.

Claim 10

An optical head for a magneto-optical recording/reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a beam shaping prism for enlarging a narrower spread angle of the light beam from said semiconductor laser, the direction of which is coincident with the polarized direction of one of said first and second beams, is disposed between said first substantially right-angled prism made of the uniaxial crystal and said object lens.

Claim 11

An optical head for a magneto-optical recording/reproducing apparatus comprising: a semiconductor laser, an object lens for condensing a light beam from said semiconductor laser onto a magneto-optical recording medium, an optical element disposed in an optical path from said semiconductor laser to said object lens, said optical element comprising three substantially right-angled prisms and being arranged such that the light beam emitted from said semiconductor laser enters a first end face of a first substantially right-angled prism made of a uniaxial crystal and part of the light beam is reflected by a second end face of said first substantially right-angled prism to exit from a third end face substantially perpendicular to the first end face for separation into first and second light beams having their polarized directions orthogonal to each other, the uniaxial crystal of said first substantially right-angled prism having an optical axis substantially coincident with a propagating direction of the reflected light beam from the second end face, the light beam emitted from said semiconductor laser having its polarized direction inclined at predetermined angle from said optical axis of the uniaxial crystal; the first and second light beams exiting from said first substantially right-angled prism are focused by said object lens as small first and second light spots on said magneto-optical recording medium; first and second reflected light beams from said magneto-optical recording medium enter said first substantially right-angled prism from the third end face thereof, partially pass through the second end face thereof to enter a second substantially right-angled prism made of a uniaxial crystal from a first end face thereof which is joined to the second end face of said first substantially right-angled prism, emit from a second end face of said second substantially right-angled prism perpendicular to the first end face thereof, enter a third substantially right-angled prism made of a uniaxial crystal from a first end face thereof which is joined to the second end face of said second substantially right-angled prism, and then exit from a second end face of said third substantially right-angled prism substantially perpendicularly, so that the two reflected light beams are each separated into two emergent light beams having their polarized directions orthogonal to each other, so that the first reflected light beam is separated into first and second emergent light beams and the second reflected light beams is separated into third and fourth emergent light beams; and said second substantially right-angled prism has an optical axis inclined 45° with respect to the polarized directions of the first and second light beams exiting from the third end face of said first substantially right-angled prism, said third substantially right-angled prism having an optical axis orthogonal to the optical axis of said second substantially right-angled prism, and light detectors for detecting the first, second, third and fourth emergent beams from said third substantially right-angled prism.

Claim 12

An optical head for a magneto-optical recording/reproducing apparatus comprising: a semiconductor laser, an object lens for condensing a light beam from said semiconductor laser onto a magneto-optical recording medium, an optical element disposed in an optical path from said semiconductor laser to said object lens, said optical element comprising three substantially right-angled prisms and being arranged such that the light beam emitted from said semiconductor laser enters a first end face of a first substantially right-angled prism made of a uniaxial crystal and part of the light beam is reflected by a second end face of said first substantially right-angled prism to exit from a third end face substantially perpendicular to the first end face for separation into first and second light beams having their polarized directions orthogonal to each other, the uniaxial crystal of said first substantially right-angled prism having an optical axis substantially coincident with a propagating direction of the reflected light beam from the second end face, the light beam emitted from said semiconductor laser having its polarized direction inclined at predetermined angle from said optical axis of the uniaxial crystal; the first and second light beams exiting from said first substantially right-angled prism are focused by said object lens as small first and second light spots on said magneto-optical recording medium; first and second reflected light beams from said magneto-optical recording medium enter said first substantially right-angled prism from the third end face thereof, partially pass through the second end face thereof to enter a second substantially right-angled prism made of a uniaxial crystal from a first end face thereof which is joined to the second end face of said first substantially right-angled prism, emit from a second end face of said second substantially right-angled prism perpendicular to the first end face thereof, enter a third substantially right-angled prism made of a uniaxial crystal from a first end face thereof which is joined to the second end face of said second substantially right-angled prism, and then exit from a second end face of said third substantially right-angled prism substantially perpendicularly, so that the two reflected light beams are each separated into two emergent light beams having their polarized directions orthogonal to each other, so that the first reflected light beam is separated into first and second emergent light beams and the second reflected light beams is separated into third and fourth emergent light beams; and said second substantially right-angled prism has an optical axis inclined 45° with respect to the polarized directions of the first and second light beams exiting from the third end face of said first substantially right-angled prism, said third substantially right-angled prism having an optical axis orthogonal to the optical axis of said second substantially right-angled prism, and light detectors for detecting the first, second, third and fourth emergent beams from said third substantially right-angled prism.

Claim 13

An optical head for a magneto-optical recording/reproducing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein when said semiconductor laser is operated to emit the laser beam at high power, said first light spot is used for recording a magneto-optical signal and said second light spot is sued for reproducing recorded information.

Claim 14

An optical head for a magneto-optical recording/reproducing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein a central intensity of said first light spot is greater than a central intensity of said second light spot.

Claim 15

An optical head for a magneto-optical recording/reproducing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the reproduction of the recorded information using said second light spot is performed based on a differential output of said light detectors for detecting said third and fourth emergent light beams from said third prism.

Claim 16

An optical head for a magneto-optical recording/reproducing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein when said semiconductor laser is operated to emit the laser beam at low power, the reproduction of the recorded information is performed based on a differential output of said light detectors for detecting said first and second emergent light beams from said third prism.

Claim 17

An optical head for a magneto-optical recording/reproducing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein a half mirror meeting R p =R s =50%, where R p is a refractive index for P-polarized light and R s is a refractive index for S-polarized light, is provided at the joined surface between the second end face of said first substantially right-angled prism made of the uniaxial crystal and the first end face of said second substantially right-angled prism made of the uniaxial crystal.

Claim 18

An optical head for a magneto-optical recording/reproducing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein a non-polarizing beam splitter meeting R p =R s , where R p is a refractive index for P-polarized light and R is a refractive index for S-polarized light, is provided at the joined surface between the second end face of said first substantially right-angled prism made of the uniaxial crystal and the first end face of said second substantially right-angled prism made of the uniaxial crystal.

Claim 19

An optical head for a magneto-optical recording/reproducing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein a polarizing beam splitter meeting r p ≠R s , where R p is a refractive index for P-polarized light and R s is a refractive index for S-polarized light, is provided at the joined surface between the second end face of said first substantially right-angled prism made of the uniaxial crystal and the first end face of said second substantially right-angled prism made of the uniaxial crystal.

Claim 20

An optical head for a magneto-optical recording/reproducing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein a beam shaping prism for enlarging a narrower spread angle of the light beam from said semiconductor laser, the direction of which is coincident with the polarized direction of one of said first and second beams, is disposed between said first substantially right-angled prism made of the uniaxial crystal and said object lens.

Claim 21

An optical head for a magneto-optical recording/reproducing apparatus comprising: a semiconductor laser, an object lens for condensing a light beam from said semiconductor laser onto a magneto-optical recording medium, an optical element disposed in an optical path from said semiconductor laser to said object lens, said optical element comprising four substantially right-angled prisms and being arranged such that the light beam emitted from said semiconductor laser enters a first end face of a first prism made of a uniaxial crystal, partially passes through a second end face of said first prism, enters a second substantially right-angled prism made of glass from a first end face thereof which is joined to the second end face of said first prism, and then exits from the second end face of said second substantially right-angled prism for separation into first and second light beams having their polarized directions orthogonal to each other; said first prism made of the uniaxial crystal has an optical axis lying in a plane perpendicular to a propagating direction of the light beam emitted from said semiconductor laser, the light beam emitted from said semiconductor laser having its polarized direction inclined at a predetermined angle from said optical axis of the uniaxial crystal; the first and second light beams exiting from said second substantially right-angled prism made of glass are focused by an object lens as small first and second light spots on a magneto-optical recording medium, the first and second light spots having their polarized directions almost parallel or perpendicular to a track of said recording medium; first and second reflected light beams from the magneto-optical recording medium enter the second substantially right-angled prism made of glass from the second end face thereof, are partially reflected by the first end face thereof, and exit from a third end face thereof; first and second reflected light beams exiting from the third end face of said second substantially right-angled prism made of glass enter a composite member comprising third and fourth substantially right-angled prisms both made of a uniaxial crystal and joined to each other, so that the two reflected light beams are each separated into two emergent light beams having their polarized directions orthogonal to each other, so that the first reflected light beam is separated into first and second emergent light beams and the second reflected light beam is separated into third and fourth emergent light beams; and said third substantially right-angled prism made of the uniaxial crystal has an optical axis inclined 45° with respect to the polarized directions of the first and second reflected light beams exiting from the third end face of said second substantially right-angled prism made of glass, said fourth substantially right-angled prism made of the uniaxial crystal having an optical axis orthogonal to the optical axis of said third substantially right-angled prism, and light detectors for detecting the first, second, third and fourth emergent beams from said fourth substantially right-angled prism.

Claim 22

An optical head for a magneto-optical recording/reproducing apparatus comprising: a semiconductor laser, an object lens for condensing a light beam from said semiconductor laser onto a magneto-optical recording medium, an optical element disposed in an optical path from said semiconductor laser to said object lens, said optical element comprising four substantially right-angled prisms and being arranged such that the light beam emitted from said semiconductor laser enters a first end face of a first prism made of a uniaxial crystal, partially passes through a second end face of said first prism, enters a second substantially right-angled prism made of glass from a first end face thereof which is joined to the second end face of said first prism, and then exits from the second end face of said second substantially right-angled prism for separation into first and second light beams having their polarized directions orthogonal to each other; said first prism made of the uniaxial crystal has an optical axis lying in a plane perpendicular to a propagating direction of the light beam emitted from said semiconductor laser, the light beam emitted from said semiconductor laser having its polarized direction inclined at a predetermined angle from said optical axis of the uniaxial crystal; the first and second light beams exiting from said second substantially right-angled prism made of glass are focused by an object lens as small first and second light spots on a magneto-optical recording medium, the first and second light spots having their polarized directions almost parallel or perpendicular to a track of said recording medium; first and second reflected light beams from the magneto-optical recording medium enter the second substantially right-angled prism made of glass from the second end face thereof, are partially reflected by the first end face thereof, and exit from a third end face thereof; first and second reflected light beams exiting from the third end face of said second substantially right-angled prism made of glass enter a composite member comprising third and fourth substantially right-angled prisms both made of a uniaxial crystal and joined to each other, so that the two reflected light beams are each separated into two emergent light beams having their polarized directions orthogonal to each other, so that the first reflected light beam is separated into first and second emergent light beams and the second reflected light beam is separated into third and fourth emergent light beams; and said third substantially right-angled prism made of the uniaxial crystal has an optical axis inclined 45° with respect to the polarized directions of the first and second reflected light beams exiting from the third end face of said second substantially right-angled prism made of glass, said fourth substantially right-angled prism made of the uniaxial crystal having an optical axis orthogonal to the optical axis of said third substantially right-angled prism, and light detectors for detecting the first, second, third and fourth emergent beams from said fourth substantially right-angled prism.

Claim 23

An optical head for a magneto-optical recording/reproducing apparatus according to claim 19, wherein when said semiconductor laser is operated to emit the laser beam at high power, said first light spot is used for recording a magneto-optical signal and said second light spot is used for reproducing recorded information.

Claim 24

An optical head for a magneto-optical recording/reproducing apparatus according to claim 20, wherein a central intensity of said first light spot is greater than a central intensity of said second light spot.

Claim 25

An optical head for a magneto-optical recording/reproducing apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the reproduction of the recorded information using said second light spot is performed based on a differential output of said light detectors for detecting said third and fourth emergent light beams from said fourth prism.

Claim 26

An optical head for a magneto-optical recording/reproducing apparatus according to claim 19, wherein when said semiconductor laser is operated to emit the laser beam at low power, the reproduction of the recorded information is performed based on a differential output of said light detectors for detecting said first and second emergent light beams from said fourth prism.

Claim 27

An optical head for a magneto-optical recording/reproducing apparatus according to claim 19, wherein a half mirror meeting R p =R 2 =50%, where R p is a refractive index for P-polarized light and R s is a refractive index for S-polarized light, is provided at the joined surface between the second end face of said first substantially right-angled prism made f the uniaxial crystal and the first end face of said second substantially right-angled prism made of the uniaxial crystal.

Claim 28

An optical head for a magneto-optical recording/reproducing apparatus according to claim 19, wherein a non-polarizing beam splitter meeting R p =R s , where R p is a refractive index for P-polarized light and R s is a refractive index for S-polarized light, is provided at the joined surface between the second end face of said first substantially right-angled prism made of the uniaxial crystal and the first end face of said second substantially right-angled prism made of the uniaxial crystal.

Claim 29

An optical head for a magneto-optical recording/reproducing apparatus according to claim 19, wherein a polarizing beam splitter meeting R p ≠R s , where R p is a refractive index for P-polarized light and R s is a refractive index for S-polarized light, is provided at the joined surface between the second end face of said first substantially right-angled prism made of the uniaxial crystal and the first end face of said second substantially right-angled prism made of the uniaxial crystal.

Claim 30

An optical head for a magneto-optical recording/reproducing apparatus according to claim 19, wherein a beam shaping prism for enlarging a narrower spread angle of the light beam from said semiconductor laser, the direction of which is coincident with the polarized direction of one of said first and second beams, is disposed between said first substantially right-angled prism made of the uniaxial crystal and said object lens.

Claim 31

An optical head for a magneto-optical recording/reproducing apparatus comprising: a semiconductor laser; an object lens for condensing a light beam from said semiconductor laser onto a magneto-optical recording medium; an optical element disposed in an optical path from said semiconductor laser to said object lens, said optical element comprising three prisms and being arranged such that the light beam emitted from said semiconductor laser enters a first end face f a first prism made of a uniaxial crystal and part of the light beam is reflected by a second end face of said first prism to exit from a third end face for separation into first and second light beams having their polarized directions orthogonal to each other, the uniaxial crystal of said first prism having an optical axis substantially coincident with a propagating direction of the reflected light beam from the second end face, the light beam emitted from said semiconductor laser having its polarized direction inclined at a predetermined angle from said optical axis of the uniaxial crystal, the first and second light beams existing from said first prism are focused by said object lens as small first and second light spots on said magneto-optical recording medium, first and second reflected light beams from said magneto-optical recording medium enter said first prism from the third end face thereof, partially pass through the second end face thereof to enter a second prism made of a uniaxial crystal from a first end face thereof which is joined to the second end face of said first prism, emit from a second end face of said second prism, enter a third prism made of glass from a first end face thereof which is joined to the second end face of said second prism, and then exit from a second end face of said third prism, so that the two emergent light beams having their polarized directions orthogonal to each other, so that the first reflected light beam is separated into first and second emergent light beams and the second reflected light beam is separated into third and fourth emergent light beams and said second prism has an optical axis inclined 45° with respect to the polarized directions of the first and second light beams exiting from the third end face of said first prism; and light detectors for detecting the first, second, third and fourth emergent beams from said third prism.

Claim 32

An optical head for a magneto-optical recording/reproducing apparatus comprising: a semiconductor laser; an object lens for condensing a light beam from said semiconductor laser onto a magneto-optical recording medium; an optical element disposed in an optical path from said semiconductor laser to said object lens, said optical element comprising three prisms and being arranged such that the light beam emitted from said semiconductor laser enters a first end face f a first prism made of a uniaxial crystal and part of the light beam is reflected by a second end face of said first prism to exit from a third end face for separation into first and second light beams having their polarized directions orthogonal to each other, the uniaxial crystal of said first prism having an optical axis substantially coincident with a propagating direction of the reflected light beam from the second end face, the light beam emitted from said semiconductor laser having its polarized direction inclined at a predetermined angle from said optical axis of the uniaxial crystal, the first and second light beams existing from said first prism are focused by said object lens as small first and second light spots on said magneto-optical recording medium, first and second reflected light beams from said magneto-optical recording medium enter said first prism from the third end face thereof, partially pass through the second end face thereof to enter a second prism made of a uniaxial crystal from a first end face thereof which is joined to the second end face of said first prism, emit from a second end face of said second prism, enter a third prism made of glass from a first end face thereof which is joined to the second end face of said second prism, and then exit from a second end face of said third prism, so that the two emergent light beams having their polarized directions orthogonal to each other, so that the first reflected light beam is separated into first and second emergent light beams and the second reflected light beam is separated into third and fourth emergent light beams and said second prism has an optical axis inclined 45° with respect to the polarized directions of the first and second light beams exiting from the third end face of said first prism; and light detectors for detecting the first, second, third and fourth emergent beams from said third prism.

Claim 33

An optical head for a magneto-optical recording/reproducing apparatus according to claim 28, wherein when said semiconductor laser is operated to emit the laser beam at high power, said first light spot is used for recording a magneto-optical signal and said second light spot is used for reproducing recorded information.

Claim 34

An optical head for a magneto-optical recording/reproducing apparatus according to claim 29, wherein a central intensity of said first light spot is greater than a central intensity of said second light spot.

Claim 35

An optical head for a magneto-optical recording/reproducing apparatus according to claim 29, wherein the reproduction of the recorded information using said second light spot is performed based on a differential output of said light detectors for detecting said third and fourth emergent light beams from said third prism.

Claim 36

An optical head for a magneto-optical recording/reproducing apparatus according to claim 28, wherein when said semiconductor laser is operated to emit the laser beam at low power and the reproduction of the recorded information is performed based on a differential output of said light detectors for detecting said first and second emergent light beams from said third prism.

Claim 37

An optical head for a magneto-optical recording/reproducing apparatus according to claim 28, wherein a half mirror meeting R p =R s =50%, where R p is a refractive index for P-polarized light and R s is a refractive index for S-polarized light, is provided at the joined surface between the second end face of said first prism made of the uniaxial crystal and the first end face of said second prism made of the uniaxial crystal.

Claim 38

An optical head for a magneto-optical recording/reproducing apparatus according to claim 28, wherein a non-polarizing beam splitter meeting R p =R s , where R p is a refractive index for P-polarized light and R s is a refractive index for S-polarized light, is provided at the joined surface between the second end face of said first prism made of the uniaxial crystal and the first end face of said second prism made of the uniaxial crystal.

Claim 39

An optical head for a magneto-optical recording/reproducing apparatus according to claim 28, wherein a polarizing beam splitter meeting R p =R s , where R p is a refractive index for P-polarized light and R s is a refractive index for S-polarized light, is provided at the joined surface between the second end face of said first prism made of the uniaxial crystal and the first end face of said second prism made of the uniaxial crystal.

Claim 40

An optical head for a magneto-optical recording/reproducing apparatus according to claim 28, wherein a beam shaping prism for enlarging a narrower spread angle of the light beam from said semiconductor laser, the direction of which is coincident with the polarized between said first prism made of the uniaxial crystal and said object lens.

Claim 41

An optical head for a magneto-optical recording/reproducing apparatus comprising: a semiconductor laser; an object lens for condensing a light beam from said semiconductor laser onto a magneto-optical recording medium; an optical element disposed in an optical path from said semiconductor laser to said object lens, said optical element comprising three prisms and being arranged such that the light beam emitted from said semiconductor laser enters a first end face of a first prism made of a uniaxial crystal and part of the light beam is reflected by a second end face of said first prism to exit from a third end face for separation into first and second light beams having their polarized directions orthogonal to each other, the uniaxial crystal of said first prism having an optical axis substantially coincident with a propagating direction of the reflected light beam from the second end face, the light beam emitted from said semiconductor laser having its polarized direction inclined at a predetermined angle from said optical axis of the uniaxial crystal, the first and second light beams exiting from said first prism are focused by said object lens as small first and second light spots on said magneto-optical recording medium, first and second reflected light beams from said magneto-optical recording medium enter said first prism from the third end face thereof, partially pass through the second end face thereof to enter a second prism made of a uniaxial crystal from a first end face thereof which is joined to the second end face of said first prism, emit from a second end face of said second prism, enter a third prism made of a uniaxial crystal from a first end face thereof which is joined to the second end face of said second prism, and then exit from a second end face of said third prism, so that the two reflected light beams are each separated into two emergent light beams having their polarized directions orthogonal to each other, so that the first reflected light beam is separated into first and second emergent light beams and the second reflected light beam is separated into third and fourth emergent light beams and said second prism has an optical axis inclined 45° with respect to the polarized directions of the first and second light beams exiting from the third end face of said first prism, said third prism having an optical axis orthogonal to the optical axis of said second prism; and light detectors for detecting the first, second, third and fourth emergent beams from said third prism.

Claim 42

An optical head for a magneto-optical recording/reproducing apparatus comprising: a semiconductor laser; an object lens for condensing a light beam from said semiconductor laser onto a magneto-optical recording medium; an optical element disposed in an optical path from said semiconductor laser to said object lens, said optical element comprising three prisms and being arranged such that the light beam emitted from said semiconductor laser enters a first end face of a first prism made of a uniaxial crystal and part of the light beam is reflected by a second end face of said first prism to exit from a third end face for separation into first and second light beams having their polarized directions orthogonal to each other, the uniaxial crystal of said first prism having an optical axis substantially coincident with a propagating direction of the reflected light beam from the second end face, the light beam emitted from said semiconductor laser having its polarized direction inclined at a predetermined angle from said optical axis of the uniaxial crystal, the first and second light beams exiting from said first prism are focused by said object lens as small first and second light spots on said magneto-optical recording medium, first and second reflected light beams from said magneto-optical recording medium enter said first prism from the third end face thereof, partially pass through the second end face thereof to enter a second prism made of a uniaxial crystal from a first end face thereof which is joined to the second end face of said first prism, emit from a second end face of said second prism, enter a third prism made of a uniaxial crystal from a first end face thereof which is joined to the second end face of said second prism, and then exit from a second end face of said third prism, so that the two reflected light beams are each separated into two emergent light beams having their polarized directions orthogonal to each other, so that the first reflected light beam is separated into first and second emergent light beams and the second reflected light beam is separated into third and fourth emergent light beams and said second prism has an optical axis inclined 45° with respect to the polarized directions of the first and second light beams exiting from the third end face of said first prism, said third prism having an optical axis orthogonal to the optical axis of said second prism; and light detectors for detecting the first, second, third and fourth emergent beams from said third prism.

Claim 43

An optical head for a magneto-optical recording/reproducing apparatus according to claim 37, wherein when said semiconductor laser is operated to emit the laser beam at high power, said first light spot is used for recording a magneto-optical signal and said second light spot is sued for reproducing recorded information.

Claim 44

An optical head for a magneto-optical recording/reproducing apparatus according to claim 37, wherein a central intensity of said first light spot is greater than a central intensity of said second light spot.

Claim 45

An optical head for a magneto-optical recording/reproducing apparatus according to claim 38, wherein the reproduction of the recorded information using said second light spot is performed based on a differential output of said light detectors for detecting said third and fourth emergent light beams from said third prism.

Claim 46

An optical head for a magneto-optical recording/reproducing apparatus according to claim 37, wherein when said semiconductor laser is operated to emit the laser beam at low power and the reproduction of the recorded information is performed based on a differential output of said light detectors for detecting said first and second emergent light beams from said third beams.

Claim 47

An optical head for a magneto-optical recording/reproducing apparatus according to claim 37, wherein a half mirror meeting R p =R s =50%, wherein R p is a refractive index for P-polarized light and R s is a refractive index for S-polarized light, is provided at the joined surface between the second end face of said first prism made of the uniaxial crystal and the first end face of said second prism made of the uniaxial crystal.

Claim 48

An optical head for a magneto-optical recording/reproducing apparatus according to claim 37, wherein a non-polarizing beam splitter meeting R p =R s , where R p is a refractive index for P-polarized light and R s is a refractive index for S-polarized light, is provided at the joined surface between the second end face of said first prism made of the uniaxial crystal and the first end face of said second prism made of the uniaxial crystal.

Claim 49

An optical head for a magneto-optical recording/reproducing apparatus according to claim 37, wherein a polarizing beam splitter meeting R p ≠R s , where R p is a refractive index for P-polarized light and R s is a refractive index for S-polarized light, is provided at the joined surface between the second end face of said first prism made of the uniaxial crystal and the first end face of said second prism made of the uniaxial crystal.

Claim 50

An optical head for a magneto-optical recording/reproducing apparatus according to claim 37, wherein a beam shaping prism for enlarging a narrower spread angle o the light beam from said semiconductor laser, the direction of which is coincident with the polarized direction of one of said first and second beams, is disposed between said first prism made of the uniaxial crystal and said object lens.

Claim 51

An optical head for a magneto-optical recording/reproducing apparatus comprising: a semiconductor laser; an object lens for condensing a light beam from said semiconductor laser onto a magneto-optical recording medium; an optical element disposed in an optical path from said semiconductor laser to said object lens, said optical element comprising four prisms and being arranged such that the light beam emitted from semiconductor laser enters a first end face of a first prism made of a uniaxial crystal, partially passes through a second end face of said first prism, enters through a second end face of said first face thereof which is joined to the second end face of said first prism, and then exits from the second end face of said second prism for separation into first and second light beam having their polarized directions orthogonal to each other, said first prism made of the uniaxial crystal has an optical axis lying in a plane perpendicular to a propagating direction of the light beam emitted from said semiconductor laser, the light beam emitted from said semiconductor laser having its polarized direction inclined at a predetermined angle from said optical axis of the uniaxial crystal, the first and second light beams exiting from said second prism made of glass are focused by an object lens as small first and second light spots on said magneto-optical recording medium, the first and second light spots having their polarized directions being one of substantially parallel and perpendicular to a track of said recording medium, first and second reflected light beams from said magneto-optical recording medium enter the second prism made of glass from the second end face thereof, and exit from a third end face thereof, first and second reflected light beams exiting from the third end face of said second prism made of glass enter a composite member comprising third and fourth prisms both made of a uniaxial crystal and joined to each other, so that the two reflected light beams are each separated into two emergent light beams having their polarized directions orthogonal to each other, so that the first reflected light beam is separated into first and second emergent light beams and the second reflected light beam is separated into third and fourth emergent light beams and said third prism made of the uniaxial crystal has an optical axis inclined 45° with respect to the polarized directions of the first and second reflected light beams exiting from the third end face of said second prism made of glass, said fourth prism made of the uniaxial crystal having an optical axis orthogonal to the optical axis of said third prism; and light detectors for detecting the first, second, third and fourth emergent beams from said fourth prism.

Claim 52

An optical head for a magneto-optical recording/reproducing apparatus comprising: a semiconductor laser; an object lens for condensing a light beam from said semiconductor laser onto a magneto-optical recording medium; an optical element disposed in an optical path from said semiconductor laser to said object lens, said optical element comprising four prisms and being arranged such that the light beam emitted from semiconductor laser enters a first end face of a first prism made of a uniaxial crystal, partially passes through a second end face of said first prism, enters through a second end face of said first face thereof which is joined to the second end face of said first prism, and then exits from the second end face of said second prism for separation into first and second light beam having their polarized directions orthogonal to each other, said first prism made of the uniaxial crystal has an optical axis lying in a plane perpendicular to a propagating direction of the light beam emitted from said semiconductor laser, the light beam emitted from said semiconductor laser having its polarized direction inclined at a predetermined angle from said optical axis of the uniaxial crystal, the first and second light beams exiting from said second prism made of glass are focused by an object lens as small first and second light spots on said magneto-optical recording medium, the first and second light spots having their polarized directions being one of substantially parallel and perpendicular to a track of said recording medium, first and second reflected light beams from said magneto-optical recording medium enter the second prism made of glass from the second end face thereof, and exit from a third end face thereof, first and second reflected light beams exiting from the third end face of said second prism made of glass enter a composite member comprising third and fourth prisms both made of a uniaxial crystal and joined to each other, so that the two reflected light beams are each separated into two emergent light beams having their polarized directions orthogonal to each other, so that the first reflected light beam is separated into first and second emergent light beams and the second reflected light beam is separated into third and fourth emergent light beams and said third prism made of the uniaxial crystal has an optical axis inclined 45° with respect to the polarized directions of the first and second reflected light beams exiting from the third end face of said second prism made of glass, said fourth prism made of the uniaxial crystal having an optical axis orthogonal to the optical axis of said third prism; and light detectors for detecting the first, second, third and fourth emergent beams from said fourth prism.

Claim 53

An optical head for a magneto-optical recording/reproducing apparatus according to claim 46, wherein when said semiconductor laser is operated to emit the laser beam at high power, said first light spot is used for recording a magneto-optical signal and said second light spot is used for reproducing recorded information.

Claim 54

An optical head for a magneto-optical recording/reproducing apparatus according to claim 47, wherein a central intensity of said first light spot is greater than a central intensity of said second light spot.

Claim 55

An optical head for a magneto-optical recording/reproducing apparatus according to claim 47, wherein the reproduction of the recorded information using said second light spot is performed based on a differential output of said light detectors for detecting said third and fourth emergent light beams from said fourth prism.

Claim 56

An optical head for a magneto-optical recording/reproducing apparatus according to claim 46, wherein when said semiconductor laser is operated to emit the laser beam at low power and the reproduction of the recorded information is performed based on a differential output of said light detectors for detecting said first and second emergent light beams from said fourth prism.

Claim 57

An optical head for a magneto-optical recording/reproducing apparatus according to claim 46, wherein a half mirror meeting R p =R s =50%, where R p is a refractive index for P-polarized light and R s is a refractive index for S-polarized light, is provided at the joined surface between the second end face of said first prism made of the uniaxial crystal and the first end face of said second prism made of the uniaxial crystal.

Claim 58

An optical head for a magneto-optical recording/reproducing apparatus according to claim 46, wherein a non-polarizing beam splitter meeting R p =R s , where R p is a refractive index for P-polarized light and R s is a refractive index for S-polarized light, is provided at the joined surface between the second end face of said first prism made of the uniaxial crystal and the first end face of said second prism made of the uniaxial crystal.

Claim 59

An optical head for a magneto-optical recording/reproducing apparatus according to claim 46, wherein a polarizing beam splitter meeting R p ≠R s , where r p is a refractive index for P-polarized light and R s is a refractive index for S-polarized light, is provided at the joined surface between the second end face of said first prism made of the uniaxial crystal and the first end face of said second prism made of the uniaxial crystal.

Claim 60

An optical head for a magneto-head recording/reproducing apparatus according to claim 46, wherein a beam shaping prism for enlarging a narrower spread angle of the light beam from said semiconductor laser, the direction of which is coincident with the polarized direction of one of said first and second beams, is disposed between said first prism made of the uniaxial crystal and said object lens.

Claim 61

An optical head for producing light spots on a magneto-optical recording medium comprising: a semiconductor laser; an object lens for condensing a light beam from said semiconductor laser onto a magneto-optical recording medium; and an optical element disposed in an optical path from said semiconductor laser to said object lens, said optical element being arranged such that the light beam emitted from said semiconductor laser enters a first end face of a first prism made of a uniaxial crystal and part of the light beam is reflected by a second end face of said first prism to exit from a third end face for separation into first and second light beams having their polarized directions orthogonal to each other, the uniaxial crystal of said first prism having an optical axis substantially coincident with a propagating direction of the reflected light beam from the second end face, the light beam emitted from said semiconductor laser having its polarized direction inclined at a predetermined angle from said optical axis of the uniaxial crystal, the first and second light beams exiting from said first prism being focused by said object lens as small first and second light spots on said magneto-optical recording medium.

Claim 62

An optical head for producing light spots on a magneto-optical recording medium comprising: a semiconductor laser; an object lens for condensing a light beam from said semiconductor laser onto a magneto-optical recording medium; and an optical element disposed in an optical path from said semiconductor laser to said object lens, said optical element being arranged such that the light beam emitted from said semiconductor laser enters a first end face of a first prism made of a uniaxial crystal and part of the light beam is reflected by a second end face of said first prism to exit from a third end face for separation into first and second light beams having their polarized directions orthogonal to each other, the uniaxial crystal of said first prism having an optical axis substantially coincident with a propagating direction of the reflected light beam from the second end face, the light beam emitted from said semiconductor laser having its polarized direction inclined at a predetermined angle from said optical axis of the uniaxial crystal, the first and second light beams exiting from said first prism being focused by said object lens as small first and second light spots on said magneto-optical recording medium.

Claim 63

An optical head for producing light spots on a magneto-optical recording medium according to claim 55, wherein a beam shaping prism for enlarging a narrower spread angle of the light beam from said semiconductor laser, the direction of which is coincident with the polarized direction of one of said first and second beams, is disposed between said first prism made of the uniaxial crystal and said object lens.

Claim 64

An optical head for producing light spots on a magneto-optical recording medium comprising: a semiconductor laser; an object lens for condensing a light beam from said semiconductor laser onto the magneto-optical recording medium; and an optical element disposed in an optical path from said semiconductor laser to said object lens, said optical element comprising two prisms and being arranged such that the light beam emitted from said semiconductor laser enters a first end face of a first prism made of a uniaxial crystal, partially passes through a second end face of said first prism, enters a second prism made of glass from a first end face thereof which is joined to the second end face of said first prism, and then exits from the second end face of said second prism for separation into first and second light beams having their polarized directions orthogonal to each other, said first prism made of the uniaxial crystal having an optical axis lying in a plane perpendicular to a propagating direction of the light beam emitted from said semiconductor laser having its polarized direction inclined at a predetermined angle from said optical axis of the uniaxial crystal, the first and second light beams exiting from said second prism made of glass being focused by an object lens as small first and second light spots on a magneto-optical recording medium, the first and second light spots having their polarized directions being one of substantially parallel and perpendicular to a track of the recording medium.

Claim 65

An optical head for producing light spots on a magneto-optical recording medium comprising: a semiconductor laser; an object lens for condensing a light beam from said semiconductor laser onto the magneto-optical recording medium; and an optical element disposed in an optical path from said semiconductor laser to said object lens, said optical element comprising two prisms and being arranged such that the light beam emitted from said semiconductor laser enters a first end face of a first prism made of a uniaxial crystal, partially passes through a second end face of said first prism, enters a second prism made of glass from a first end face thereof which is joined to the second end face of said first prism, and then exits from the second end face of said second prism for separation into first and second light beams having their polarized directions orthogonal to each other, said first prism made of the uniaxial crystal having an optical axis lying in a plane perpendicular to a propagating direction of the light beam emitted from said semiconductor laser having its polarized direction inclined at a predetermined angle from said optical axis of the uniaxial crystal, the first and second light beams exiting from said second prism made of glass being focused by an object lens as small first and second light spots on a magneto-optical recording medium, the first and second light spots having their polarized directions being one of substantially parallel and perpendicular to a track of the recording medium.

Claim 66

An optical head for producing light spots on a magneto-optical recording medium according to claim 57, wherein a beam shaping prism for enlarging a narrower spread angle of the light beam from said semiconductor laser, the direction of which is coincident with the polarized direction of one of said first and second beams, is disposed between said first prism made of the uniaxial crystal and said object lens.