Video disc read back scanner

In an optical disc playback system including a rotatable turntable adapted to carry an information bearing disc, and having a player element movable relative to the disc, an improved transducer system comprising:

• optical means, carried on the player element, including means defining an optical path having a first portion between a radiant energy source and a polarization dependant beam splitting prism means, a second portion for applying radiant energy from the beam splitting prism means to the disc and for returning radiant energy reflected from the disc to said beam splitting prism means and a third portion for applying returned radiant energy from said beam splitting prism means to an energy sensitive transducer;
• polarization shifting means in said second portion for rotating the plane of polarization of the radiant energy a total of 90.degree. in two passes through said polarization shifting means, whereby any reflected radiant energy reaching said radiant energy source will be cross polarized with respect to the radiant energy from said source;
• energy beam steering means in said second path portion for directing a radiant energy beam to a precisely selected location relative to a disc and for directing the reflected portion of the applied radiant energy beam back to said beam splitting prism;
• and
• translating means for imparting relative motion between the turntable and the player element at a predetermined rate in the radial direction for transporting said energy beam steering means in the radial direction relative to a disc.