Variable light apodizer

An optical system comprising:

• a light source generating a light beam;
• and
• a variable light apodizer for apodizing the light beam, the variable light apodizer having a frame of reference defined by a propagation axis Z receiving the light beam therealong and by X and Y transverse axes orthogonal to each other and to the propagation axis, the variable light apodizer comprising:
• at least one side filter disposed across a path of the light beam, each side filter having a light transmission profile along a corresponding one of the transverse axes which is maximum from a first edge of the light beam up to a transition point within the light beam and gradually decreases from said transition point to a second edge of said light beam;
• and
• a filter-moving assembly comprising at least one mechanical mount having one or more of the at least one side filter being secured thereon, each of the at least one mechanical mount being movable according to a motion shifting the light transmission profile of the one or more side filter thereon along the corresponding transverse axis, wherein said motion provides a variable apodization of an edge portion of the light beam along the corresponding transverse axis.