Arfa

Thanks. Do the TO18 style cases have standardised pinout? The laser is
pressed into a block of aluminium, I don't want to risk trying to pry it
out, and even if I did - any type number would end up obliterated.

Now that, I couldn't tell you, I'm afraid. Actual pin numbers or type of the
device tend not to be shown on schematics. Sometimes, the optical block is
shown just as a block, with no indication of what's in it at all. About the
only thing that I can say is that there is usually a photodiode in the
package as well as the laser diode(s). This is used as part of the auto
power control feedback loop. As to whether there are two photodiodes in dual
laser devices, I really don't know. If I get time, I'll have a look on a few
DVD schematics and see if any of them show electrically what the optical
block comprises.

Arfa