Multiple beam scanning apparatus and light source unit therefor
US6133566A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 10, 1998 |
| Grant date | Oct 17, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 10, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B26/123
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A multiple beam scanning apparatus and a light source unit employed in the multiple beam scanning apparatus and a method of multiple beam scanning. A multiple beam scanning apparatus is realized which utilizes a multiple beam system in which four or more light beams are employed with comparatively low cost without making a light source unit, deflection medium, focusing optical system, etc. large sized. The light source unit employed in the multiple beam scanning apparatus includes m (m.gtoreq.2) pieces of semiconductor laser arrays respectively having n (n.gtoreq.2) light-emitting points. A multiple beam system is realized utilizing n-times multiple beams without making the light source unit large sized. Furthermore, another multiple beam system is realized utilizing m-times multiple beams and enabling making such a multiple beam system on further profitable conditions.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.