Laser beam scanning apparatus having a variable focal distance device and the variable focal distance device for use in the apparatus

A laser beam scanning apparatus comprising:

• a laser light source for emitting one laser beam;
• and
• a variable focal distance device provided to face said laser light source,
• said variable focal distance device including:
• an optical waveguide which receives and conducts said laser beam;
• electrode means having a plurality of electrodes provided on said optical waveguide so as to form in said optical waveguide a lens which can change in one direction the focused point of the laser beam passed through said optical waveguide in accordance with different voltages applied between the adjacent electrodes of said electrode means;
• deflection means for receiving and deflecting said laser beam from said variable focal distance device;
• and
• a scanning lens for causing said laser beam deflected by said deflection means to scan on a scan line.