Abstract: The transfer apparatus includes a light source, a light linearizing device for linearizing light from the light source, a transmission type image display device, and a photosensitive recording medium. The light source, the light linearizing device, the transmission type image display device and the photosensitive recording medium are arranged along a direction in which the light from the light source advances, and a display image transmitted through the image display device is transferred to the photosensitive image recording medium. The light linearizing device converts the light from the light source into linear and substantially parallel rays such that the linear and substantially parallel rays can be incident on a display screen of the image display device and scans relatively the display screen of the image display device with the linear and substantially parallel rays.

Abstract: A GaN compound semiconductor device can be capable of free process design and can have optimum device characteristics. The device can include a group III nitride compound semiconductor laminate structure including an n-type GaN compound semiconductor layer and a p-type GaN compound semiconductor layer. An n electrode can be formed on the n-type GaN compound semiconductor layer, and a p electrode can be formed on the p-type GaN compound semiconductor layer. The n electrode preferably includes an Al layer of 1 to 10 nm, in contact with the n-type GaN compound semiconductor layer, and any metal layer of Rh, Ir, Pt, and Pd formed on the Al layer. The p electrode can be made of a 200 nm or less layer of of Pd, Pt, Rh, Pt/Rh, Pt/Ag, Rh/Ag, Pd/Rh, or Pd/Ag, in contact with the p-type GaN compound semiconductor layer. Both electrodes can make ohmic contact with respective n-type/p-type GaN semiconductors without application of active annealing.

Abstract: An optical scanning characteristic control method is applied to an optical scanning system in which a beam is deflected, and the deflected beam is converged and directed toward a scanning surface, so that optical scanning of the scanning surface is performed by an optical spot formed thereon by the deflected beam. The method comprising the steps of a) disposing a beam deflection control device on the light path of the beam before it is incident on the scanning surface; and b) controlling a beam deflection amount of the beam deflecting device provide to an incident beam so as to control a scanning characteristic of the optical scanning.

Abstract: A sub-scanning interval adjusting apparatus for a multi-beam laser scanning unit adjusts an interval between at least two laser lines that are formed on a photoreceptor drum without causing starting points of image formation to vary. In the multi-beam laser scanning unit simultaneously emitting at least two laser beams by using at least two laser sources, the sub-scanning interval adjusting apparatus includes a transparent member varying in thickness depending on its height, in a direction where the laser beams pass through, the transparent member having an inclined lower side with respect to a scanning direction of the laser beams, and a movable member having an inclined side corresponding to the inclined lower side of the transparent member, thereby adjusting an interval between the laser beams by moving the movable member in the scanning direction and thus varying the height of the transparent member with respect to the laser sources.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for compensating for the movement of a substrate in a lithographic apparatus during a pulse of radiation include providing an optical structure configured to move a patterned projection beam incident on the substrate in synchronism with the substrate.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a digital image printer which incorporates a jogging system for providing an inexpensive printer for improving color saturation when imaging from a digital display which has monochromatic pixels. The device includes a printer having a housing that encloses, in a common cavity thereof, an arrangement including a digital area array display, a plurality of lenses, and an image plane. The digital area array display, the plurality of lenses, and the image plane are spaced along an optical axis extending from the digital area array display through the plurality of lenses, and toward the image plane such that a digital image provided by the display can be brought into focus onto the imaging plane by the plurality of lenses. One of the plurality of lenses is a transposable lens, the transposable lens capable of being transposed out of the optical axis during the operation of the printer, to increase the perceived resolution of the digital image focused onto the imaging plane.

Abstract: A method for adjusting a multi-beam source unit including a multi-beam laser diode provided with light emitting points, and a collimator lens includes measuring a state of a position of the light emitting points with respect to a standard design line based on beam spots corresponding to the light emitting points on an image recording surface, and rotating the multi-beam laser diode about an optical axis of a scanning optical system to align the position of the light emitting points with the standard design line.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of printing images onto a photosensitive media (140) using multiple reflective spatial light modulators (87, 88, 89, 90, 95, 97). In the apparatus and method, illumination optics uniformize and image light from at least one light source (20) through polarization beamsplitting elements (60, 63). The polarization beamsplitting elements (60, 63) divide the illumination light into two polarization states. One polarization state of the illumination light illuminates the reflective spatial light modulators (87, 88, 89, 90, 95, 97) in a telecentric manner. The reflective spatial light modulators (87, 88, 89, 90, 95, 97) are addressed with image data signals. The reflective spatial light modulators (87, 88, 89, 90, 95, 97) modulate the polarized illumination light on a site by site basis and reflect the modulated light back through the polarization beamsplitting elements.

Abstract: A polarization-direction-controlling element having a ½ wavelength plate disposed with a crystal optical axis tilted at substantially 45 degrees with respect to a polarization direction of a beam of light separated by a polarization-separating element with a part of a laser beam transmitted, is provided on the optical path of the laser beam, outputted from a plurality of semiconductor lasers, between an outlet for the laser beams at a fiber array and a polarization-separating element for separating the laser beam into two beams of light having mutually orthogonal polarization directions. A polarization-direction-controlling element capable of improving the quality of recorded images in an exposing-recording device using an element with polarization dependency and an exposure device capable of improving the quality of recorded images can also be obtained.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for putting color to glass. This method includes the steps of (a) introducing a laser beam into an interferometer such that the laser beam is split into at least first and second laser beams in the interferometer and that the at least first and second laser beams come out of the interferometer; and (b) irradiating a glass with the at least first and second laser beams to write a plurality of lines simultaneously on a surface of the glass and/or in an inside of the glass.

Abstract: The integrated image reading/writing head (X) includes a substrate (4) having a surface (40) provided with a reading circuit including a plurality of light receiving elements (20), a plurality of printing elements (60) and a writing circuit for controlling the printing elements (60). The substrate (4) is fitted with a connector (8) for electrical wiring. The connector (8) is electrically connected with each of the reading circuit, the printing elements and the writing circuit.

Abstract: An image read/write head (A) includes a support (7) for supporting at least one of paired platen rollers (P1, P2) and a detector (2) for detecting at least one of a document (D) and a recording paper (K). Therefore, an image processing apparatus incorporating the image read/write head (A) can be easily manufactured. The image read/write head (A) further includes a reflection preventing member (6) for collectively surrounding the plurality of light receiving elements (3) and the plurality of drive IC chips (80). Therefore, it is possible to prevent the plurality of light receiving elements from receiving scattering light or disturbing external light.

Abstract: An optical scanning apparatus includes a first optical member for receiving a plurality of light beams with an interval and for causing a first group of beams to emerge with a narrower interval, the first optical member being rotatable to adjust the interval of the beams emergent therefrom; a second optical member for receiving a second light beam and the first group of beams emergent from the first optical member with an interval and for causing a third group of beams to emerge with a narrower interval, the second optical member being rotatable to change the interval between the first group of beams and the second beam; and deflecting means for scanningly deflecting a third group of beams emergent from the second optical member.

Abstract: A linefeed calibration method for identifying media advancement errors utilizes plural test patterns, including both a base pattern and an overlay pattern that are printed overlying each other to form an interference pattern. A sensor detects overall alignment of the interference pattern. That overall alignment is compared to alignment of at least a second interference pattern to identify a linefeed advance error. The error is correlated to a position on a media advancement mechanism such as a roller. A processor then adjusts the media advancement mechanism to correct the identified media advancement error. Under-advance errors, over-advance errors and skew errors may be identified using the described method.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of printing images (10) onto a photosensitive media (140) using multiple reflective spatial light modulators. In the apparatus and method, illumination optics (25) uniformize and image light from at least one light source through polarization beamsplitting elements (80). The polarization beamsplitting elements (80) divide the illumination light into two polarization states. One polarization state of the illumination light illuminates the reflective spatial light modulators in a telecentric manner. The reflective spatial light modulators are addressed with image data signals. The reflective spatial light modulators modulate the polarized illumination light on a site by site basis and reflect the modulated light back through the polarized beamsplitting elements (80). The modulated light beams are combined to form an image, which is directed through a print lens (110) to expose a photosensitive media (140).

Abstract: A multi-beam light scanning optical system includes n (n?2) light source means having m (m?2) light emitting points; beam synthesizing means for synthesizing n×m light beams emitted by the light source means; deflecting means for deflecting n×m light beams from the beam synthesizing means; an imaging optical system for imaging the n×m light beams from the deflecting means on a surface to be scanned, wherein the surface to be scanned is scanned in a main scan direction with n×m light beams by a deflection scanning operation of the deflecting means; an aperture stop provided between the beam synthesizing means and the deflecting means, wherein principal rays of the n×m light beams are intersected at a position of the aperture stop, and the light beams which are adjacent to each other in a sub-scan direction on the surface to be scanned are the beams emitted from different ones of the light source means.

Abstract: A pattern writing apparatus for writing a pattern on a photosensitive material comprises a head provided with a DMD having a micromirror group which spatially modulates reflected light. Light from the micromirrors of the DMD are directed to irradiation regions (61) on the substrate, respectively. The irradiation regions (61) are moved over the substrate with movement of the substrate relative to the head. The DMD is provided within the head so that the direction of arrangement of the irradiation regions (61) is tilted relative to the main scanning direction, and a center-to-center distance (L1) along the sub-scanning direction between two adjacent irradiation regions (61) arranged in the main scanning direction is made equal to a pitch (P1) of writing cells (620) on the substrate with respect to the sub-scanning direction. ON/OFF control of light irradiation of each irradiation region is performed each time the irradiation regions 61 move a distance equal to twice a pitch (P2).

Abstract: A system and method for selectively process material on a processing surface of a printing form to create a fine structure or pattern for images or text. At least one fiber laser comprising a pump source and a laser fiber is provided. A laser gun is mounted adjacent the printing form and has at least a focusing optics. The fiber laser outputs a laser beam which is diffraction-limited to permit the focusing optics to focus the laser beam onto the processing surface of the printing form as a spot having a spot size sufficiently small to process the processing surface to create the fine structure or pattern images or text.

Abstract: An apparatus for optically projecting pixel-based image information onto a light-sensitive material has an image-generating device, an optical projection device, and a device for laterally offsetting the projected image of the image-generating device to produce a plurality of mutually offset partial images in the image plane. The offsetting device has two optical elements arranged in sequence in the light path of the projection. The projected partial images are offset relative to each other by tilting one or both of the optical elements.

Abstract: The multibeam exposure head performs exposure recording on a recording material and includes a beam emitting unit having a plurality of beam emitting port rows each of which is formed by arranging a plurality of beam emitting ports at a predetermined interval in a row and an angle changing unit that changes a tilt angle of a row direction of the plurality of beam emitting port rows of the beam emitting. The angle changing unit performs switching between two exposure recording modes having different recording resolutions. The multibeam recording method uses the multibeam exposure head.

Abstract: In a disclosed image forming device, the directions of light sources at installation and the numbers of returning mirror are set such that a plurality of optical beams emitted from multi-beam lasers in which light-emitting sections are two-dimensionally arranged have the same directions for the two dimensional axes on each of corresponding photosensitive bodies. Each of a main scanning direction and a sub-scanning direction on the photosensitive bodies has the same direction as each direction of the main scanning axis (for example, the X axis) and the sub scanning axis (for example, the Y axis) of each optical beams.

Abstract: An optical beam scanning device includes plural light sources, a pre-deflection optical unit, a light deflection unit, a post-deflection optical unit, and a horizontal synchronization unit. One of the formed plural latent images is formed by plural light beams while the other latent images are respectively formed by one light beam, and the light deflection unit deflects the light beams forming the plurality latent images by one surface or integrally processed surface thereof. The horizontal synchronization unit is on a position of an upstream side of scanning lines forming the latent image formed by the plural light beams and deflects that the light beam forming the latent image formed by the plural light beams reaches a predetermined position. The image forming apparatus employs the optical beam scanning device and controls timing to form images by the respective light beams with reference to a moment when the light to be detected reaches a predetermined position.

Abstract: A method for setting focus of a multichannel printhead for an imaging apparatus (10) comprises moving the printhead (500) to a premove position. A first set of patches (82) is printed wherein a focus position of the printhead is varied in a first random pattern from one patch to another. A second set of patches (83) is printed wherein the focus position of the printhead is varied in a second random pattern from one patch to another. A density for each of the patches is measured in the first series of patches. A density for each of the patches is measured in the second series of patches. An optimum focus position is calculated for the multichannel printhead based on a polynomial curve (72) of density and focus position for each of the patches.

Abstract: An optical scanning apparatus includes light sources, an aperture having, and coupling lenses. Numbers of the light sources and the coupling lenses are equal to each other and the apparatus satisfies an inequality 12.7 <(D×?0×m0×xdpi)/(2×NA) <38.1 and an equation ?0=(?+???)/(n?1), wherein D represents a width of the slit of the aperture, ?0represents a beam open angle, mo represents a total lateral magnification ratio, dpi represents a number of dots per inch, NA represents a numerical aperture, ?+ represents a positive open angle, ?? represents a negative open angle, and n represents the number. Further, an image forming apparatus using this optical scanning apparatus and an image forming method are provided.

Abstract: In a reflective scanning optical system employing an imaging optical system having a curved mirror with a rotationally symmetrical reflecting surface configuration, the change in magnification of the imaging optical system in the auxiliary scanning direction is reduced and thereby the beam spot diameter on the scan target surface is equalized, as well as equalizing the scan line interval on the scan target surface when the system is applied to a multibeam scanning optical system. The imaging optical system of the reflective scanning optical system includes a curved mirror with a rotationally symmetrical reflecting surface and a lens having an anamorphic lens surface configuration on its one side. In the anamorphic lens surface configuration, slope and curvature of the line of intersection of the lens surface and a plane parallel to the auxiliary scanning cross section change independently of each other as the position in the main scanning direction changes.

Abstract: A multi-beam scan optical system and an image forming apparatus using the same are provided in which high-quality printing can be realized at high speed with a relatively simple construction.

Abstract: An imaging device (10) for a printing form (12), has at least one first and one second laser diode bar (14, 16), the laser diodes (18) on the laser diode bars (14, 16) being disposed in lines. The device includes a first and a second micro-optics (21, 22) for generating aberration-corrected intermediate image spots of the laser diodes (18) and a macro-optical imaging optics (23) for generating image spots (24) on the printing form (12). The first and the second micro-optics (21, 22) are positioned in such a way in the emission regions of the first and second laser diode bar (14, 16) that the image spots (24) of the laser diodes (18) of the first and second laser diode bar (14, 16) lie at disjoint positions on the printing form (12), substantially along a spanning polyline (30). Also, a method is provided for arranging optical components in an imaging device (10) for a printing form (12).

Abstract: An optical scan apparatus includes an optical deflection unit (4), an image formation optical system (3), and curved surface mirrors (7a to b 7d). Light fluxes from the image formation optical system (3) come onto the deflection surface (4a) of die optical deflection unit (4) in an oblique direction. Light fluxes from the optical deflection unit (4) come onto the curved surface mirrors (7a to 7d) in an oblique direction. When a boundary is a plane (6) including a normal at the center of the deflection surface (4a) and parallel to the main scan direction, the curved surface mirrors (7a to 7d) are arranged in the same space divided by the boundary and the scan speeds of fluxes scanning the surfaces to be scanned (8a to 8d) are almost identical. Thus, it is possible to obtain identical drive frequencies of the light sources (1a to 1d), thereby simplifying the circuit.

Abstract: In a scanning optical system, a plurality of laser beams pass through an imaging optical system and converge on surfaces to be scanned, respectively. The imaging optical system includes a scanning lens and a plurality of long lenses for the respective beams. The scanning lens has an anamorphic aspherical surface, and each long lens has at least one two-dimensional polynomial aspherical surface.

Abstract: An LED head is supplied which is able not only to reduce cost but also to improve disintegration efficiency and assembly efficiency. The LED head comprises a SLA holder with electroconductivity which has a insulating cover and supports a rod lens array with convergency; a substrate which is mounted in the SLA holder and is used for installing a LED array chip; a base with electroconductivity used for fixing the substrate at the SLA holder; and a clamp with electroconductivity which presses and contacts the base, wherein the clamp, while mounted onto the SLA holder, scrapes off contact part of the insulating cover.

Abstract: A laser beam scanner for scanning primary colors of red, green and blue laser beams on the same scanning plane includes three sets of a laser light source, an acousto-optic modulator, an adjustable mirror corresponding to the primary colors, and a polygon mirror, an f&thgr; lens, and a pair of mirrors. One of the mirrors serves as a beam splitter for splitting the laser beams into a first way for introducing the laser beams to the scanning plane and the second way for introducing a position sensor disposed on a plane optically conjugated with the scanning plane. The adjustable mirrors are adjusted in a manner so that the red and blue laser beams are to be overlapped on the green laser beam by monitoring the positions of laser beams sensed by the position sensor.

Abstract: In a multi-beam scanning optical system, when at least three light fluxes emitted from a light source having at least three light-emitting points are deflected and reflected on a deflection unit and guided to a surface to be scanned by a scanning optical unit, at least three light fluxes are entered into a deflection surface of the deflection unit at irregular angles within a main-scanning section and entered into the surface to be scanned at an angle within a sub-scanning section, and provided that a variation in lengths of scanning lines which is caused when each of the at least three light fluxes is entered into the surface to be scanned at an angle within the sub-scanning section is represented as &Dgr;Y1, a variation in lengths of scanning lines which is caused when each of the at least three light fluxes is allowed to enter as a non-parallel light flux to the deflection surface within the main-scanning section is represented as &Dgr;Y2, and a variation in lengths of scanning lines which is caused from a

Abstract: A laser imaging apparatus is provided with a light source unit that emits a laser beam including a first beam and a second beam. The central axes of the first beam and the second beams substantially coincide with each other. The first beam includes non-visible light, and the second beam includes visible light. The imaging apparatus further includes a modulating system that modulates the beam emitted by the light source unit, a deflecting system that deflects the beam modulated by the modulating system to scan within a predetermined angular range, and an imaging optical system that converges the deflected beam to form a scanning beam spot on a surface to be scanned.

Abstract: A mirror mount adjusts the curvature of a cylindrical mirror along the optical axis of the mirror, typically the wobble correction mirror, to adjust the scanline bow for an optical scanner. By adjusting the curvature in the mirror mount of the cylindrical axis of the mirror in the plane parallel to the mirror, the scanline bows among multiple ROS's can be approximately equalized. A mirror mount has two fixed abutments on the upper edge of the cylindrical mirror and two moveable abutment points along the lower edge of the mirror. The mirror mount adjusts the curvature of the cylindrical mirror vertically for a horizontal beam to adjust the scanline bow for a single beam and approximately equalize the scanline bow for multiple. ROS units in the printing system. During the bow adjustment the cross sectional shape of the cylindrical mirror is maintained so that the cross scan spotsize is maintained during the adjustment.

Abstract: An optical scanning device of the present invention includes a light source, forwardly deflecting optical set including a first lens for providing light beams from the light source with a predetermined characteristic, and a second lens for converging the light beams from the first lens in a first direction, a polygonal mirror unit for deflecting the light beams from the forwardly deflecting optical set into a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction, and a third lens for forming the light beams deflected by the polygonal mirror unit as an image onto a predetermined image surface at substantially equal speed. The second lens includes a resin lens and a glass cylinder lens.

Abstract: Disclosed is a scanning optical system that includes a laser source for emitting a laser beam, a scanning deflector that deflects the laser beam, an imaging optical system that converges the scanning laser beam onto an object surface, first and second mirrors that bend the optical path of the scanning laser beam. The first and second mirrors are movable to adjust the optical path length between the deflector and the object surface for changing a width of the scanning range on the object surface. Since the optical path length is adjusted by moving the first and second mirror, which changes the width of the scanning range, correcting the size error of the printed image. When the size error of the printed image is detected, an operator moves the first and second mirrors to correct it.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a multibeam exposure head having a multibeam light source which exposes a recording material by main scanning. Herein, the multibeam light source has a first multiple beam forming light source in which a plurality of beam emitting ports are arranged parallel to each other while being spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance, and a second multiple beam forming light source in which a plurality of beam emitting ports are arranged parallel to each other being spaced apart from each other by the predetermined distance.

Abstract: A light-source unit includes two LD arrays, each comprising four light-emitting points, a corresponding two coupling lenses coupling laser beams emitted from the two LD arrays, and a holding member integrally holding these LD arrays and coupling lenses rotatably approximately about optical axes on the laser beams are provided. Further, a scanning optical system is provided for deflecting the laser beams emitted from the light-source unit and imaging them onto the to-be-scanned surface.

Abstract: A multi-beam scanning device including a multi-beam light source including plural laser diode arrays emitting plural laser beams and at least one coupling lens; a deflector configured to deflect the plural laser beams; an optical system configured to guide the deflected plural laser beams to an image forming surface; a body configured to contain the multi-beam light source, deflector and scanning optical system; and an adjustment member located between the body and the multi-beam light source and configured to adjust the beam pitch of the plural laser beams in the sub-scanning direction. An image forming apparatus including an image bearing member, the above-mentioned scanning device and an image forming device.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for exposing photosensitive material, in particular for exposing a printing form, in which a surface to be exposed of the photosensitive material is scanned by at least one light beam. The light beam is emitted by a light source and, before striking the photosensitive material, is optionally modulated, interrupted and/or deflected. An exposure head is provided and moved at a constant distance from the surface in relation to the latter and to the light source in order to scan the surface of the photosensitive material with the light beam. In order to make the exposure head as light as possible, after the light beam has emerged from the light source substantially parallel to the surface to be exposed, the light beam is deflected through a gaseous medium toward the exposure head and there should be reflected onto the surface.

Abstract: A printing system is disclosed. The system includes a laser configured to produce a printing beam for printing a code on a product, the laser being at most a 25 Watt laser and a housing including a printing beam exit member through which the printing beam exits the housing. The system also includes an optics assembly within the housing. The optics assembly focuses the printing beam on a product which is adjacent to the housing.

Abstract: A printing apparatus (100) for printing digital images onto a photosensitive medium (140) employing, for exposure energy, a light source (20) that uses various arrays of LEDs (32). The printing apparatus (100) may form the print image using sequential modulation, one color at a time, or by applying all colors simultaneously. Arrangements of discrete LEDs (32) may include high-intensity devices configured with collector cones (41) arranged as a multicone structure (141), with parabolic reflectors (65), or collimating lenses (36). Large area LEDs (46) may alternately be used, arranged on an angled mounting surface (64), for example.

Abstract: When intending gradational representation of each of the dots composing the image by changing the amount of light emission of each of the dots composing an image by changing the amount of light emission of said light emitting diode, the magnitude of each of the dots becomes reduced resulting in unstable reproducibility of dot. This causes damage in the regularity of the distribution of image density and the graininess of the printed image increases. The invention aims to provide an image forming apparatus which can decrease granularity (graininess) by simple and inexpensive construction by defocusing on the photo conductor the light ray passing through the lens array of the exposing device in the image forming apparatus in accordance with the percentage of the luminous dots changed in the amount of light emission among the dots composing the image. This prevents the occurrence of irregular density distribution in the latent image on the photo conductor drum.

Abstract: A light-emitting element array is mounted on a light-emitting element mounting substrate and the light-emitting element mounting substrate is attached to a heat sink for discharging the heat from the light-emitting element array. The heat sink is fixed to a lens-supporting member for supporting a rod lens array at specific intervals along the longitudinal direction of the lens-supporting member. And a driver substrate having an electronic device for driving the light-emitting element array mounted on it is attached to the lens-supporting member. Aligning pieces and adjusting plates are alternately adhesively fixed to a side face of the rod lens array in the longitudinal direction of the rod lens array, and aligning piece bearing bases are adhesively fixed at opposite positions of the lens-supporting member to the aligning pieces.

Abstract: This invention relates to an illumination system and method for imaging thermosensitive or light-sensitive media such as printing plate precursors. More particularly, this invention is directed to an illumination system in which laser light is conveyed to a modulator, and the modulated laser light is passed through separating means to permit only the passage of zero order radiant energy which is employed to image the media.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display unit has a transmissive liquid crystal plate having a number of pixels arranged on a two-dimensional basis, on which an image is formed, and a light source unit emitting beams of light of a plurality of luminescent colors for irradiating said liquid crystal plate from back. An interface circuit receives an image signal representative of a color image to sequentially form on said liquid crystal plate a plurality of separation images in which the color image is separated in association with the plurality of luminescent colors of said light source unit. The interface circuit causes said light source unit to flash with a luminescent color associated with a separation image formed on said liquid crystal plate in synchronism with a sequential formation of the separation images onto said liquid crystal plate. Beams of light emanated from the light source unit and transmitted through the liquid crystal plate reproduce an image.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a scanning optical system capable of reducing the number of its components and its size with a simple construction, and an image forming apparatus using the scanning optical system. In a specific scanning optical system, a plurality of light beams emitted from a plurality of light source units are deflected and scanned by a plurality of different deflecting facets of a common optical deflecting unit, and a plurality of scanned surfaces are scanned with the light beams deflected and scanned by the different deflecting facets, respectively.

Abstract: There are provided a scanning optical device which makes the F-number in the sub scanning direction with respect to a light beam incident on a scanning target surface uniform by an easy, inexpensive method without impairing the environmental performance, and is suitable for high-resolution printing, and an image forming apparatus using the device. This device includes the first optical system which converts the state of a light beam emitted from a light source means, the second optical system which forms the converted light beam into a linear image elongated in the main scanning direction, a deflection element which reflects/deflects an incident light beam in the main scanning direction, and the third optical system which forms the light beam reflected/deflected by the deflection element into an image on the scanning target surface. The third optical system includes an optical element having at least one diffraction surface and at least one optical element having a refraction surface.

Abstract: An optical scanner includes a light source which emits a light beam, a reflection mirror which has a reflection surface, a first axis parallel to a main-scanning direction, and a second axis along the reflection surface and perpendicular to the first axis, and an optical element which adjusts a position of a scanning line in a sub-scanning direction, the optical element having a beam-incidence surface, a third axis parallel to the main-scanning direction on the beam-incidence surface, and a fourth axis perpendicular to the third axis and along a beam-incidence direction. A first adjustment unit is provided to rotate the reflection mirror around the second axis in order to attain uniformity of a scanning speed. A second adjustment unit is provided to rotate the optical element around the fourth axis in order to correct an inclination of the scanning line to a desired position of the scanning line.

Abstract: Optical fibers constituting optical fiber rows are positioned as pinched between base plates defining numerous positioning V-grooves. In each optical fiber row, the optical fibers are arranged at a fixed pitch P. The optical fibers have projections thereof arranged at a fixed pitch PX in a secondary scanning direction, and at a fixed pitch PY in a primary scanning direction. The positions of the projections of the optical fibers constituting the optical fiber rows are partly coinciding in the secondary scanning direction.