Integrating cylinder with end input illumination for use as an illuminator in a film scanner

An illuminator for providing a uniform diffuse light in a film scanner comprising:

• a light source for generating a diverging light beam;
• an optical system for receiving the diverging light beam from the light source and focussing the light beam with a predetermined focusing angle;
• and
• an integrating cylinder comprising:
• a hollow cylinder comprising a reflective lightdiffusing inner surface defining a cavity therein, and an outer surface adjacent to a film, and defining a slit formed parallel to a longitudinal axis of the cavity between the inner and outer surfaces of the hollow cylinder at a predetermined line along the outer surface of the hollow cylinder for projecting the uniform diffuse light from the integrating cylinder;
• a first end plate for sealing a near end of the cavity of the hollow cylinder, and defining a hole which is decentered from the longitudinal axis of the cavity of the hollow cylinder and is disposed at a different predetermined radial angular separation around the cavity from the slit for receiving a light beam having the predetermined divergence angle which is directed at the predetermined tilt angle into the cavity so that direct light from the light beam does not exit the slit and produces a substantially uniform intensity of light across the slit defined by the hollow cylinder;
• and
• a second imperforate end plate for sealing a far end of the cavity of the hollow cylinder opposite the near end.