Intermediate range intensity modification of gaussian beam using optical integration means

Optical projection apparatus for projecting a light beam of substantially uniform intensity along an optical axis towards an output plane, said apparatus comprising:

• a multi-element, nonplanar source of light projecting a beam along the optical axis towards the output plane;
• a rod of optically transmitting material having its length disposed coaxially with the beam projected from the source, said rod having a substantially rectangular cross section throughout its length between an entrance face and an exit face, said entrance and exit faces having different geometric configurations adapted to effectively invert the intensity of the beam entering the entrance face thereby producing a beam at the exit face in the form of a plane source of forwardly directed light;
• an objective lens disposed between the rod exit face and the output plane;
• and
• optical means formed in the rod for moving an image of the entrance face that otherwise would be created between the lens and the output plane to a position between the rod exit face and the lens;
• whereby the beam projected between the rod to the output plane has a substantially uniform intensity throughout its entire length.

Optical projection apparatus comprising:

• a nonplanar laser diode array projecting a beam along an optical axis to an output plane;
• a quartz rod having a generally rectangular cross sectional area, a faceted entrance face and a spherical exit face;
• an objective lens disposed between the rod exit face and the output plane, said lens having a given focal length;
• and
• said rod exit face having a sufficient radius to image the rod entrance face at a location substantially coinciding with the front focal length of the objective lens;
• whereby the beam projected from the exit face of the rod to the output plane has a substantially uniform intensity distribution throughout its length.