I thought i'd mention this in case it helps someone else.
I bought a cheap XBox 360 HD-DVD drive at auction for ~US$25 and took out the blue diode. (It's a closed can type)
Unfortunately i stuffed it, probably trying to get it out of the holder to check its part number, or trying to figure out the pins. Now it's just a blue led
On the plus side the USB XBox 360 HD-DVD drive still reads cd and dvds fine once i put it back together (minus the blue diode) so at least i got an external usb cd/dvd reader for my pc/laptop for the money
Once i realised i'd stuffed it i was able to be really aggressive and bash out the diode from its metal shroud and check what the diode actually is. It's marked as (SB016JK81). I can't find any specs on it but maybe someone else will have more luck.
Since i got the thing to emit some light i'm pretty sure i have the pinout sorted, although i can't be sure.
If i'm right, it's like this...
1 = Laser diode +
2 = (Case), Not connected
3 = Laser diode -