Abstract: An optical system for focusing a light beam on to an image plane particularly suited for compensating for manufacturing tolerances associated with laser diodes having variable divergence and astigmatism characteristics. The system comprises a collimation lens for collimating the light beam so as to produce a collimated beam in a first plane and an optical shaper having an axis perpendicular to the first plane for correcting distortions associated with the collimated beam and spatially displaced from the collimation lens so as to form the collimated beam on to the image plane. Preferably, the optical shaper includes a pair of cylindrical lenses separated from each other a predetermined distance so as to minimize astigmatism and divergence of the beam.

Abstract: Scanning apparatus comprising a base, a light source mounted on the base, a camera mounted on the base and arranged to observe a workpiece surface to be scanned and an optical waveguide arranged in light receiving relationship with the light source for directing light to the workpiece surface, the optical waveguide being operative to provide uniform, homogeneous diffuse illumination of the workpiece surface, thereby to prevent definition of shadows thereon.