Method and apparatus for efficient concentration of light from laser diode arrays

A lens system for use with a linear array of individual light beams, the system comprising:

• a first optical element for receiving and redirecting different light beams of the linear array of light beams to different locations on an imaginary plane wherein at least two light beams of said linear array of individual light beams are directed along two non-parallel paths so as to generate a two-dimensional pattern of light beams on the imaginary plane;
• and
• a second optical element located at the imaginary plane and aligned with said two-dimensional patterns of light beams for redirecting each light beam of said two-dimensional pattern of light beams to a focal point.

A lens system for use with a two-dimensional array of individual light beams, the system comprising:

• a first optical element for receiving and redirecting different light beams of the two-dimensional array of individual light beams to different locations on an imaginary plane wherein at least two light beams of the two-dimensional array of individual light beams are directed along two non-parallel paths so as to generate a two-dimensional pattern of light beams being other than a magnified or minified version of the two-dimensional array of light beams;
• and
• a second optical element located at the imaginary plane and aligned with said two-dimensional pattern of light beams for redirecting each of the light beams of said two-dimensional pattern of light beams to a focal point.

A lens system for use with a two-dimensional light beam, the system comprising:

• a first optical element for receiving and redirecting different positions of the two-dimensional light beam to different locations on an imaginary plane wherein at least two portions of the two-dimensional light beam are directed along two non-parallel paths so as to generate a two-dimensional pattern of light being other than a magnified or minified version of the two-dimensional light beam;
• and
• a second optical element located at the imaginary plane and aligned with said two-dimensional pattern of light for redirecting each portion of the two dimensional pattern of light to a focal point.