Multi-beam scanning apparatus
US6185026A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 3, 1999 |
| Grant date | Feb 6, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 3, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B26/123
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A multi-beam scanning apparatus performs image scanning by emitting multiple beams from a plurality of light sources, which beams are deflected by a common deflector at equiangular velocity. The beams are then condensed by a common scanning image forming lens so as to form optical spots on a scanning surface. As a result, the plurality of lines are simultaneously scanned by the beams on the scanning surface at a substantially constant velocity. Characteristics of the light sources, such as the wavelength thereof, and other factors such as writing density and desired writing width of a writing line, are arranged to eliminate differences in a written vertical line in a sub scanning direction caused by a magnification difference, regardless of the cause of such differences. In addition, the modulation frequency of the plurality of light sources is made different from each other so that writing widths of the dots written by the plurality of light sources become the same.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.