On Wed, 22 Dec 2010 08:55:50 -0000, "N_Cook"
wrote:

Is there something in the laser assembly that is especially prone to static
damage?

Directly adjacent to the laser is a spinning piece of plastic
sometimes referred to as a CD or DVD. Like all good plastic parts,
it's quite capable of turning into a Van de Graaff generator. The
rubber pad on the center spindle is slightly conductive and bleeds
away some of the static charge, but some charge may accumulate.

There is also a substantial chance of discharging static electricity
from your body in the process of inserting or removing the CD. Since
the optics are exposed during the insertion, they must be protected
against being the first point of contact.

Some applicable patents.
http://www.google.com/patents/about?id=XjoWAAAAEBAJ&dq=5684775
http://www.google.com/patents/about?id=5PcmAAAAEBAJ&dq=5684775
(etc...)
--
Jeff Liebermann
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558