Scanning optical system and image forming apparatus using the same
US6885486B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 10, 2003 |
| Grant date | Apr 26, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 27, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B13/0005
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Provided is a scanning optical system in which the influence of structural birefringence resulting from a relationship between the arrangement direction of a fine grating structure and polarization planes is reduced to obtain a preferable optical performance, and an image forming apparatus using the scanning optical system. In the scanning optical system, a light flux emitted from a light source unit is deflected by a deflection unit. The light flux deflected by the deflection unit is guided onto a surface to be scanned by a scanning optical unit having a fine structural grating on at least one optical surface. The surface to be scanned is scanned with the light flux. The fine structural grating has a triangular grating in which triangular grating parts are arranged in one dimensional direction. When a grating height of a triangular structure of the triangular grating is given by h, a grating pitch thereof is given by P, and a wavelength of the light flux emitted from the light source unit is given by λ, conditions of 0.23λ≦h and 0.52<h/P are satisfied.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.