We Can Figure This Out.org
Virtual Lab: The Inner Workings of CD/DVD Drives
 University of Virginia
             
 
© 2003-Present, John C. Bean
 
The laser beam passes down through the beam splitter, which can be a simple semi-transparent mirror.

Part of the beam is deflected to the right and the rest continues on to the focusing lens.

If the laser focuses on a reflective part of the CD, it bounces back upward.

The beamsplitter then deflects part of this reflected beam left to the photodetector.
 
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