One-dimensional illumination apparatus and imaging apparatus

Abstract

A one-dimensional transverse multiple mode laser is used for a one-dimensional illumination apparatus. A pumping light source, and a laser medium and a wavelength conversion device (nonlinear optical crystal or a nonlinear optical device) which are disposed in a resonator, are provided, and the nonlinear optical crystal or a nonlinear optical device is irradiated with a line beam obtained by exciting the laser medium in an elliptic transverse mode pattern. Then, a one-dimensional light modulation device is irradiated with the wavelength-converted line beam, and scanning with the beam modulated by the modulation device is conducted to produce a two-dimensional image. For example, in a green illumination optical system, in the case where the nonlinear optical device for obtaining visible rays through second harmonic generation from IR rays oscillated by a solid state laser medium has a periodical poling structure, stoichiometric composition periodical poling lithium tantalate having been subjected to vapor transport equilibration is used, whereby reliability is enhanced and a reduction in cost can be achieved through mass production.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.