Nonmonolithic array structure of multiple beam diode lasers

A method of manufacturing a multiple beam diode laser array, comprising the steps of:

• selecting a first semiconductor diode laser having a plurality of active regions, each active region outputting a laser beam having a first predetermined wavelength, and each active region having an electrical connection near an edge of the surface of the first semiconductor diode laser;
• selecting a second semiconductor diode laser having a plurality of active regions, each active region outputting a laser beam having a second predetermined wavelength, and each active region having an electrical connection near an edge of the surface of the second semiconductor diode laser;
• sandwiching an insulator between the first and second semiconductor diode lasers, the diode lasers being mounted so that all of the laser beams are substantially parallel;
• and
• connecting electrical wires to respective bonding pads located on the first and second semiconductor diode lasers.

A laser printer comprising:

• photoreceptor means for retaining a charge;
• a multiple beam diode laser array comprising:
• a first semiconductor diode laser having a plurality of active regions each emitting a laser beam, the laser beam of each active region having a first predetermined wavelength, and each active region having an electrical connection near an edge of the surface of the first semiconductor diode laser;
• a second semiconductor diode laser having a plurality of active regions each emitting a laser beam, the laser beam of each active region having a second predetermined wavelength, and each active region having an electrical connection near an edge of the surface of the second semiconductor diode laser;
• and
• an insulator located between the first and second semiconductor diode lasers, the insulator providing electrical insulation and spacing between the first and second semiconductor diode lasers;
• scanning means for sweeping the laser beams across the photoreceptor in a fast-scan direction;
• a beam separator for separating the laser beams of the first semiconductor diode laser from the laser beams of the second semiconductor diode laser;
• a plurality of mirrors for directing the separated laser beams to the appropriate regions of the photoreceptor means;
• and
• developing means for developing the electrical charges on the photoreceptor means.

A laser printer comprising:

• photoreceptor means for retaining a charge;
• a multiple beam diode laser array comprising:
• a first semiconductor diode laser having a plurality of active regions each emitting a laser beam, the laser beam of each active region having a first predetermined wavelength, and each active region having an electrical connection near an edge of the surface of the first semiconductor diode laser;
• a second semiconductor diode laser having a plurality of active regions each emitting a laser beam, the laser beam of each active region having a second predetermined wavelength, and each active region having an electrical connection near an edge of the surface of the second semiconductor diode laser;
• and
• an insulator located between the first and second semiconductor diode lasers, the insulator providing electrical insulation and spacing between the first and second semiconductor diode lasers;
• scanning means for sweeping the laser beams across the photoreceptor in a fast-scan direction;
• a polarized beam separator for separating the laser beams from the first and second semiconductor diode lasers into a first set and a second set, the first set containing at least one laser beam from the first semiconductor diode laser and at least one laser beam from the second semiconductor diode laser, and the second set containing remaining ones from the first and second semiconductor diode lasers;
• a first dichroic beam separator for further separating the laser beams of the first set into a third set and a fourth set, the third set containing at least one laser beam from the first semiconductor diode laser, and the fourth set containing remaining ones of the first set;
• a second dichroic beam separator for further separating the laser beams of the second set into a fifth set and a sixth set, the fifth set containing at least one laser beam from the first semiconductor diode laser, and the sixth set containing remaining ones of the second set;
• a plurality of mirrors for directing the separated laser beams to the appropriate regions of the photoreceptor means;
• and
• developing means for developing the electrical charges on the photoreceptor means.