Microlensing for multiple emitter laser diodes
AssigneeCreo Products Inc.
InventorDaniel Gelbart
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A microlens for a multiple emitter laser diode consists of narrow slices cut out from molded aspheric lenses. Each slice is mounted in front of one emitter and the slice position is adjusted in the cross-emitter direction to have all emitter images aligned in a straight line, thus compensating for any lack of straightness in the multiple emitter diode.
Claims8
Apparatus for aligning light emitted from a multiple emitter diode onto an image medium, the apparatus comprising:
- a plurality of emitters aligned so as to form a slight departure from a linear array;
- and
- a plurality of microlenses, each microlens individually positioned and aligned in front of a corresponding one of said emitters, said microlenses oriented so as to focus light from said emitters onto an image medium in a linear pattern.
Apparatus for aligning light emitted from a multiple emitter diode onto an image medium, the apparatus comprising:
- a frame;
- a plurality of emitters coupled to said frame and positioned in a substantially linear array so as to emit a deviated pattern of light on an image medium that deviates from a straight line, each emitter arranged substantially adjacent to another one of said emitters;
- and
- a plurality of microlenses coupled to said frame, each microlens individually positioned and aligned in front of a corresponding one of said emitters, each microlens arranged substantially adjacent to another one of said microlenses, said microlenses oriented so as to focus light from said emitters onto the image medium in a linear pattern selectively modified from the deviated pattern of light emitted by said emitters.
A method of aligning emitted light from a multiple emitter diode having emitters arranged substantially linearly and emitting light so as to form a deviated image on an image medium that deviates from a straight line, comprising the steps of:
- locating a plurality of microlenses so that each microlens is individually positioned and aligned in front of a corresponding one of said emitters;
- and
- orienting each of said microlenses so as to focus light from said emitters onto the image medium in a linear pattern selectively modified from the deviated image formed by said emitters.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.