Optical pickup apparatus for reading different types of recording media at different reading wavelengths

An optical pickup apparatus capable of reading information on recording media read by laser beams at different wavelengths, comprising:

• a light emitter integrally including a first light source for emitting a first laser beam, and a second light source positioned in close proximity to said first light source for emitting a second laser beam at a wavelength different from a wavelength of said first laser beam;
• and
• an optical system including a plurality of optical elements passed by both said first and second laser beams for forming a light path for leading said first and second laser beams to a recording medium and for leading reflected light reflected by said recording medium to a light detector,
• wherein said light detector includes a first detector for receiving said first laser beam and a second detector positioned in close proximity to said first detector for receiving said second laser beam,
• said first and second detectors are arranged at positions such that said first and second laser beams follow return light paths of different lengths from said recording medium to said first and second detectors, and
• said light detector is arranged between two positions at which return light of said first and second laser beams presents a substantially circular beam cross-section, with light receiving surfaces oriented perpendicular to the return light of said first and second laser beams.