Focal region optical elements for high-performance optical scanners

An optical device, comprising:

• a light source, which is configured to emit a beam of light at a given wavelength;
• at least one scanning mirror configured to scan the beam across a target scene;
• a sensor having a detection area;
• and
• light collection optics comprising:
• a collection optic positioned so that after the light emitted from the light source is reflected from the scene, and a part of the light that is reflected from the scene is reflected from the at least one scanning mirror, the collection optic collects and focuses the light that was reflected from the at least one scanning mirror onto a focal plane;
• and
• a non-imaging optical element comprising a solid piece of silicon that is transparent at the given wavelength, having a front surface positioned at the focal plane of the collection optic and a rear surface through which the light that has been focused by the collection optic and guided through the silicon is emitted from the silicon in proximity to the sensor, so that the light is spread over the detection area of the sensor.