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US 5,517,359 AGranted
Apparatus for imaging light from a laser diode onto a multi-channel linear light valve
OwnerDaniel Gelbartinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus for coupling a broad emitting area laser diode made of multiple emitters operating in parallel to a linear light valve. The apparatus images each one of the emitters onto the linear light valve, superimposing them in order to increase the immunity to defects occuring in any individual emitter.
Claims8
Apparatus for imaging light from a laser diode onto a multi-channel linear light valve, comprising:
- (a) a broad emitting area laser diode having multiple emitters operating in parallel to said linear light valve;
- (b) a lenslet array positioned next to said laser diode so as to image each one of said emitters onto said light valve with all images of said emitters superimposed in order to increase the immunity to defects occurring in any individual emitter;
- and
- (c) means for collimating light from said emitters in a direction perpendicular to a direction of collimation of light from said emitters by said lenslet array;
- wherein said array of lenslets has a pitch less than but substantially equal to the pitch of said emitters and the focal length of said lenslet array being approximately equal to the distance from said emitters to a position where light beams from said emitters start overlapping.
2 more elements
A multi-channel modulator for modulating light from a broad emitting laser diode made of multiple emitters, comprising:
- (a) a light valve for modulating light incident thereon in response to input data received by control inputs of said light valve;
- (b) a lenslet array positioned proximate said emitters having a pitch less than but substantially equal to the pitch of said emitters and a focal length being approximately equal to the distance from said emitters to a position where beams from said emitters start overlapping;
- (c) means for collimating light from said emitters in a direction perpendicular to the direction of collimation by lenslets of said lenslet array;
- and
- (d) means for focusing modulated light from said light valve onto a heat or light sensitive material,
- wherein each one of said emitters is imaged onto said light valve so as to be superimposed and thereby increase the immunity to defects occurring in any individual emitter.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.