The present techniques present methods and systems for increasing a data reading rate on optical data disks using a single reading head. The methods take advantage of the difference between a mean focal distance (MFD), or minimum spacing that the detector can distinguish between bits, and the minimum separation of bits in a single track to increase the reading speed. As the bits may be more closely spaced across adjacent tracks or layers, these techniques may be used to increase the reading speed of the disk. Specifically, the data symbols that make up a single bit-stream may be stored in a pattern horizontally across adjacent tracks, or vertically across adjacent layers. Accordingly, the focal point of the detector is scanned across the disk in the same pattern to read the individual data symbols.