Imaging element array and image forming apparatus

A method of transmitting light from a light image through an imaging element to form an image at an image plane, comprising the steps of;

• receiving light of the light image at an incident lens and passing the light therefrom to a first mirror;
• reflecting a reversed image of the light from the first mirror to a second mirror;
• and
• reflecting the light image to an emission lens, wherein:
• light entering the incident lens which is not directly received from the light image is directed to a location other than one which will result in the light entering the incident lens which is not directly received from the light image reaching the image plane.

An image forming apparatus comprising:

• an illumination device that emits light;
• a plurality of imaging elements that are arranged side by side in a row;
• wherein each imaging element is integrally molded as a single piece element and includes an incident surface into which the light emitted from the illumination device enters the imaging element, an emission surface, and a plurality of reflective surfaces which are provided between the incident surface and the emission surface;
• a focal plane at which light passing through the imaging elements is focused after passing through the emission surface;
• the imaging element has a first reflective element and propagation preventing surfaces;
• the first reflective element comprises at least one of the plurality of reflective surfaces and has an effective region which is in contact with adjacent imaging elements, and
• the propagation preventing surfaces are positioned to either side of another one of the plurality of reflective surfaces and are positioned to prevent light rays other than light rays reflected from the reflective surface from propagating to the emission surface.