Abstract: The terminations of the optical fibers are placed on columns L1 in the sub-scanning direction of a recording medium and fixed in such a way that columns L1 are stacked in multiple stages in the main scanning direction of the recording medium. In this way, the terminations form a matrix made up of 8 columns L1 in the sub-scanning direction of the recording medium and 16 rows L2 in the main scanning direction of the recording medium that intersect columns L1. The terminations of a plurality of optical fibers which belong to same columns L1 are arrayed with pitch P. With respect to a perpendicular that passes through center C of the termination of one optical fiber, center C of the termination that belongs to another column L1 and same row L2 at the same time is uniformly shifted by an amount of shift S in the sub-scanning direction. Thus, the present recording apparatus achieves improvements in both the recording speed and resolution at the same time.

Abstract: A multiple light beam scanning optical system includes a plurality of light sources, driving circuits, collimator lenses, cylindrical lenses for focusing light beams emitted from the collimator lens in sub-scanning directions, a beam splitter, and a deflector. The deflector has a deflection surface disposed near a point at which a light beam emitted from the beam splitter is focused by the cylindrical lens. A scanning lens, a synchronizing detector, and a sensor unit enable detection of position information of sub-scanning directions of the plurality of light beams. A control circuit drives and controls a cylindrical lens by processing an output signal from the sensor unit, and a light path correction mechanism moves a cylindrical lens on the basis of a control signal from the control circuit.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a laser beam scanning unit adapted for scanning laser beams on a surface of a charged image bearing member (5). The laser beam scanning unit (53) comprises a semiconductor laser array (21) having a plurality of light emitting portions (21a) and a rotating polygon mirror adapted for deflecting laser beams emitted from the light emitting portions to the image bearing member (5). The light emitting portions (21a) are disposed two-dimensionally on a surface of the semiconductor laser array. The lighting and the amount of light of the light emitting portions (21a) are discretely controlled by a control unit. The scanning unit further includes a collimator lens having a focal length fc, where a distance between a most spaced two of the plurality of light emitting portions is .delta. max, and fc/.delta. max is 25 or more.

Abstract: The optical scanning device of the present invention which handles plural light beams reduces the number of the optical components to the minimum, and thereby intends to reduce the cost, shrink the size, and secure high performance. The optical scanning device of the present invention minimizes the number of deflectors that deflect light beams with a constant angular velocity in a direction corresponding to the main scanning direction to one, and also minimizes the number of polygon mirrors included in the deflector and the number of rotation drive units of the polygon mirror each to one. Further, the device makes up two f&thgr; lens systems for converging the light beams into a specific size and scanning the beam spots with a substantially constant speed with two pairs of the f&thgr; lenses each, and disposes the f&thgr; lens systems on the both sides of the deflector.

Abstract: A refractive optical element provides beam separation control for two or four light beams by refracting each beam from an incident surface through the optical element to be refracted from a parallel exit surface out of the optical element. The beams have closer beam to beam spacing after the refraction from the optical element than before. The incident and exit surfaces are angled relative to and symmetric around an optical axis.

Abstract: An LED beam source emits plural light beams which are independently controllable and become incident light of a polygon mirror. The LED beam source comprises LED elements of which light-emitting timing and light intensity are independently controllable, a base member for retaining the LED elements, and a mask plate for commonly covering light emitting sides of the LED elements. The mask plate is formed with beam openings corresponding to the respective outputted beams. Four corners of the mask plate are provided with positioning holes, and four corners of the base member are provided with positioning projections. Assembling is easily performed by inserting the positioning projection into the positioning hole.

Abstract: An optical scanning device condenses a beam deflected by a light deflector, by a scanning and imaging lens toward a surface to be scanned to form a beam spot thereon, and scans the surface to be scanned by the beam spot. At least one lens of the scanning and imaging lens is configured so that a lens body thereof is held by a holding frame, wherein a rib surface at an end in a longitudinal direction of the holding frame is inclined so that a ghost light generated as a result of the deflected beam being reflected by the end in the longitudinal direction of the holding frame is changed in light path in a sub-scan direction.

Abstract: A single laser crystal is driven with multiple pumping sources to obtain discrete, collimated outputs without substantial thermal crosstalk, so that the action of one pumping source does not adversely interfere with the action of another source driving the same crystal; that is, an imaging output emanating from one crystal region will neither defeat nor spuriously cause an imaging output in another region.

Abstract: A scanning optical device to be used for an image forming apparatus such as a laser beam printer and a digital copying machine comprises a light source such as a semiconductor laser, an optical deflector such as a rotary polygon mirror, a first optical system for leading the light beam emitted from the light source to the optical deflector, and a second optical system for focussing the light beam deflected by the optical deflector onto a surface to be scanned. The first optical system is adapted to make the light beam strike a deflection surface of the optical deflector with a width greater than that of the deflection surface in the main-scanning direction. The second optical system has an optical element provided on at least an optical surface thereof with an anti-reflection film having a film thickness so adapted as to maximize its light transmittance for the angle of incidence of the most off-axis ray of the light beam deflected by the optical deflector and striking the optical surface.

Abstract: An optical print head, which records an image in accordance with image data on a photosensitive recording medium by exposure/unexposure to light, comprises a light source for emitting light, a light source conversion unit for converting the light into linear light in substantially uniform light quantity in the same direction as a main scanning direction and emitting the linear light. A liquid crystal shutter array selectively passes or shuts out the linear light falling on the recording medium based on the image data.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus which is capable of composing an image with a high accuracy on an image receiving member with use of a plurality of light signal emitting heads. The image forming apparatus, which is used for forming an image on the image receiving member such as a photographic paper or a electrophotographic photosensitive member. Each light signal emitting head turns on and off a plurality of light signal emitting elements extending in a main scanning direction in accordance with image data. The image receiving member is guided by a cylindrical guide roller with being adhered to the curving section of the guide roller at an exposure position. The light emergent from each light signal emitting head is changed its optical path at a dichroic prism or a half mirror and exposes the image receiving member linearly.

Abstract: A porous photosensitive unit has a transparent conductive layer formed on a surface of a transparent substrate. A photoconductive layer is formed on a surface of the transparent conductive layer. A porous insulating layer formed on a surface of the photoconductive layer has a plurality of holes for holding conductive color particles. The plurality of holes includes a first hole and the adjacent second and third holes. An upper or screen electrode is formed on a surface of the porous insulating layer except where the holes are formed. The photosensitive unit includes an optical arrangement in which, when a light source emits light to cause conductive color particles to fly out of the first hole only, the light exposes a region, within the photoconductive layer, which substantially coextends with a surface portion of the photoconductive layer that is exposed by the first hole.

Abstract: An optical apparatus uses an array of light-emitting elements (LEDs or ELs) and a focusing optical system. Light emitted from the light-emitting elements of the array is directed to the focusing optical system within narrowed solid angles, thereby raising overall light utilization efficiency, with the help of recesses, each shaped as an inverted conical frustum, centered at respective light-emitting elements, to collect light from the light-emitting elements and deliver it to the focusing system within narrower solid angles, as both direct light and indirect light reflected from the slanting side walls of the recesses. The side walls of the recesses can have a reflecting film to further enhance overall light utilization efficiency. Lenses can be formed integrally with the array, to further help focus the light delivered to the focusing optical system.

Abstract: A precision printing system uses multiple scan beams that an acousto-optic modulator (AOM) separately modulates. An array of optical elements such as dove prisms separately rotates each of the beams about a central ray of the beam to eliminate blurred edges, skew, and variations in line thickness caused by the direction of propagation of acoustic waves in the AOM being at an angle to a scan direction. In particular, the amount of rotation is selected so that in the final image the direction in which illumination progresses across a cross-section of a beam is in a direction opposite the scan direction. A method of making the array includes attaching rods to a flat, grinding or polishing the combination of the rods and flat to form three planar regions that correspond to facets on prisms. Removing the rods/prisms from the flat. Using photolithography and etching to form grooves in a substrate, and a mounting the rods/prisms in the grooves on the substrate.

Abstract: A scanning optical device includes a light source having a plurality of light emitting points, a deflector for deflecting a plurality of light beams emitted from the light source, and an optical system for guiding the plurality of light beams emitted from the light source onto a surface to be scanned. In the scanning optical device, a predetermined condition is satisfied among a light emitting interval between the plurality of light emitting points, a tilt angle of the plurality of light emitting points, juxtaposed in the main scanning direction, and inclined in the sub scanning direction about the optical axis as the center, the beam interval of the plurality of light beams on the surface to be scanned, and imaging magnifications of the optical system in the main and sub scanning directions.

Abstract: A method of controlling peak power of a radiant energy emitting system, such as lasers adapted for use in laser edge marking apparatus, reduces fog spots on the web caused by impinging laser energy. A laser printer has an attenuating member provided in the optical path of a laser beam tube for controlling peak power to each one of the plurality of lasers.

Abstract: An optical printer head capable of minimizing production of a ghost by incidence of light reflected on a filter holding hole. Light emitted from a light source is reflected out of a maximum allowable incident angle to minimize generation of a ghost due to incidence of reflected light on a selfoc lens array while reducing a size of a filter holding hole for holding each of filters therein. Also, a peripheral surface of the filter holding hole may be rendered rough, to thereby provide a scattering surface, resulting in preventing repeated reflection of light emitted from the light source on the peripheral surface of the filter holding hole.

Abstract: This invention provides an image formation device at low cost, which can be miniaturized, of which the quality of an image is uniform, which can form a high resolution of color image at high speed wherein even if the relative mounting position of a light source and an optical element is dislocated, the deterioration of color registration can be reduced. Laser beams for each color sequentially emitted from each laser element of a laser array pass an imaging optical system and are split into the side of photoconductor drums and into the side of a deflecting optical system by a splitting optical system. Laser beams incident on the deflecting optical system are reflected by optical mirrors so that principal rays of the laser beams respectively converge on photodetectors and are incident on approximately the same position of each photodetector. The photodetectors individually detect the luminous energy of laser beams from each laser element.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a plurality of light sources emitting beams of light, a photoconductor, a scanner for reflecting the beams of light emitted by the light sources to scan the photoconductor periodically, a light detector for receiving the beams of light from the scanner to determine a beam pitch between the beams of light, the light detector being provided in a part of an optical path between the scanner and the photoconductor, a beam shifter for shifting the beams of light incident on the scanner from the light sources, and a controller for operating the beam shifter so that the beam pitch determined by the light detector becomes a predetermined value.

Abstract: An apparatus for laser marking indicia on a moving photosensitive web substantially reduces fog spots on the web caused by impinging laser energy. A laser beam attenuating member arranged in the laser beam tube enables control of peak laser beam power thereby significantly reducing the incident of fog spots on the film surface.

Abstract: The present invention is for a method for adjusting a focus of a multichannel printhead (500) for an imaging processing apparatus (10) performing the steps of establishing a home focus position and moving the printhead (500) in a first direction a predetermined number of coarse density. The printhead (500) is moved to the coarse focus position and then moved in a second direction a predetermined number of fine steps. A series of second test patches is printed on the media (32) at each of the fine steps. A fine focus position is determined by checking a fine density of each of the second test patches and selecting the fine focus position corresponding to the second test patch having a highest fine density.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus for recording an image on an image recording medium, comprises a laser head for exposing the recording medium to laser light to record the image thereon, a laser light source for emitting the laser light, and an optical fiber connected between the laser light source and the laser head for guiding the laser light emitted from the laser light source to the laser head, the optical fiber having a core portion formed into a substantially rectangular shape in section, wherein a refractive index of the core portion along a first sectional axis is substantially constant and a refractive index along a second sectional axis perpendicular to the first sectional axis is gradually changed.

Abstract: A method for transferring an image to a medium includes: generating a substantially uniform line of radiation; producing diffractive light from the uniform line of radiation; passing zero order diffractive light to the medium in a telecentric fashion while blocking non-zero order diffractive light; adjusting image magnification on the medium independent of image focus in response to the zero order diffractive light; and adjusting image focus on the medium independent of image magnification in response to the zero order magnification-adjusted diffractive light.

Abstract: An optical printer head capable of preventing catching between a filter holder and a luminous tube to prevent production of dust and attaining replacement of the luminous tube without exposing filters to an ambient atmosphere. A filter holder is arranged separately from a light source and an selfoc lens array, to thereby prevent production of dust from the filter holder due to contact of the filter holder with the light source and selfoc lens array. A base is arranged so as to receive only the filter holder therein, to thereby prevent the filters held on the filter holder from being exposed to an ambient atmosphere, resulting in dust being kept from adhering to the filters. A pair of light passages are formed on a light path and closed with a light-permeable cover to sealedly close the base, to thereby prevent dust from intruding into the base during replacement of the light source.

Abstract: An image exposing apparatus for imagewise exposing on a light-sensitive material, consists of: a plurality of light emitting element rows; a light mixing device for mixing light emitted from the plurality of light emitting element rows to form emergent light in a line in which rays of light are mixed on the same line; and a moving device for moving at least one of the light-sensitive material and the light mixing device, so that an exposure line that is formed when the light-sensitive material is exposed to the emergent light in a line is moved in a direction having a directional component perpendicular to the exposure line.

Abstract: A fixture containing a plurality of parallel optical fibers is aligned using a solder circuit that is itself mounted on the surface. The fixture is positioned on the circuit so as to be in contact with a quantity of solder. With the solder in the molten state, the fixture is aligned with respect to an element receiving light output from the optical fibers, and the alignment is secured by allowing the solder to solidify with the fixture immobilized.

Abstract: A scanner for scanning a beam across a surface, such as a photosensitive surface or a document, the scanner comprising: a plurality of multi-faceted polygon disks, mounted for common rotation on an axis; a plurality of data modulated beams, wherein one of said beams is configured to impinge on the facets of one of the disks and be reflected therefrom toward the surface.

Abstract: An image reading/writing head (1) includes an integrated circuit for reading (10) provided with a plurality of light receiving elements for reading an image on a document (D) by receiving, via optical lenses (12), light reflected by the document placed on an image reading surface provided in a surface of a casing (2); a plurality of heating elements (9) disposed in a surface different from the reading surface in the casing (2) for forming an image on recording paper by heat; and an integrated circuit for writing (11) for controlling these heating elements (9). The integrated circuit for reading (10), the heating elements (9) and the integrated circuit for writing (11) are provided in a main surface of a substrate (7) held by the casing (2), and light reflecting member (13) is provided for making the light after passing the optical lenses (12) enter the light receiving elements.

Abstract: A light emitting diode based exposure station (and electrophotographic marking machines that use such exposure stations) that requires only a small amount of photoreceptor waterfront (space). The small waterfront requirement is achieved using a gradient index lens array that transmits focused light onto the photoreceptor with a total conjugate that is sufficient to permit the widest part of the light emitting diode based exposure station to be displaced sufficiently far from the photoreceptor that other printing machine devices can be disposed between the widest part of the exposure station and the photoreceptor. The increased total conjugate is achieved using a gradient index lens array having longer rods and/or wider rods.

Abstract: A recording apparatus locates a photo detector at a predetermined position on an optical base, stopping the rotation of a resist master disk, activating a focusing laser, and optimally positioning a head by means of a head slider control circuit. The resist master disk then starts to rotate, followed by the starting of a focus servo circuit. A focus fine adjust circuit effects a fine movement of the photo detector using positioning data to achieve optimum focusing. A differential amplifier serves to cause a recording lens to adjust to nullify the error signal. Display information is compared with the focusing position data and, when the numerical information coincides with the focusing position data, the above-mentioned focusing data is used as optimum focusing position data for the initial setting of the optimum focusing position. The use of optimum focusing position data in the form of numerical values permits easy initial setting of the optimum focusing position for different types of resist master disks.

Abstract: A laser thermal printing system and method utilizes a blur filter (3) made of one or more pieces of double refractive crystal material to smooth printing or laser spots or fill up gaps in an array of laser spots. Blur filter (3) is disposed between a light source (1) and a media or image plane (100). Light source (1) provides for an original array of laser spots (30) at media plane (100) and blur filter (3) splits an image of each of the original array of laser spots (30) to create a displaced duplicate array of laser spots (31) with improved spot uniformity.

Abstract: An imaging system for imaging a plurality of macropixels onto a media and a method for generating a linear array of macropixels to be imaged onto a media utilizing a two dimensional spatial light modulator having a plurality of micropixels grouped together to form a plurality of linear arrays of macropixels is provided. The imaging system includes a light source for generating a beam of light; a projection lens assembly for focusing the beam of light; a deflector illuminated by the light beam output from the projection lens assembly, the deflector able to deflect the light beam in the vertical (Y-axis) direction; an anamorphic lens assembly illuminated with the light beam output from the deflector; a two dimensional spatial light modular (SLM) including a plurality of micropixels, the plurality of micropixels grouped together to form a plurality of linear arrays of the micropixels, and an imaging lens assembly coupled to the output of the spatial light modulator.

Abstract: A laser beam emitted by a semiconductor laser is applied through a beam shaper optical system to a recording film to produce the image of a near field pattern of the laser beam which is of a narrow width in a main scanning direction of the recording film and which has a wide, substantially rectangular intensity distribution in an auxiliary scanning direction. The image recorded on the recording film is free of image density irregularities in the auxiliary scanning direction.

Abstract: A method and system for exposing a light sensitive material using device for forming a row of spots of light onto the light sensitive material located on a focal plane, device for modulating each of the spots according to imaging data so that at any point of time, the row of spots forms a data pattern according to the imaging data, device for generating relative motion between the imaging mechanism and the light sensitive material on the focal plane, the direction of motion substantially parallel to the direction of the row of spots on the light sensitive material; and data synchronizing device for shifting the imaging data into the modulating device at a rate determined by the speed of relative motion to maintain the image of any data pattern substantially stationary on the light sensitive material.

Abstract: A head for a printer and an image processing system is provided in which light emitted from light emitting elements formed on a substrate of the head does not leak from pinholes of a non-corresponding light emitting elements and does not interfere with light emitted by other light emitting elements, so that satisfactory printing can be carried out. An aperture has on opposite ends sandwiching portions and covers a substrate to sandwich a carriage. Concave portions are formed correspondence with light emitting elements. Pinholes are provided in a front wall and an insulating black coat is formed on the surfaces of the concave portions to prevent a short circuit. Light from the light emitting elements which does not pass through the pinholes is absorbed by the surfaces of the concave portions.

Abstract: Even if light beams are caused to obliquely become incident on a light deflector, an optical scanner will be constructed of one F&thgr; lens without bending the center line of the lens. The optical scanner has a deflection part on which light beams are incident from a light source to incline their optical axes by a predetermined angle in a slow scan direction, and a scanning optical system for scanning an optical spot at a substantially constant velocity, and focusing incident light beams on a surface to be scanned. The scanning optical system is preferably constructed of a single lens, both sides of which are aspherical, this lens is caused to refract, on a first refractive surface, to reduce a change in an incident angle of the light beams in the slow scan direction, which change in response to an deflection angle, and is caused to refract, on a second refractive surface, such that the light beams after emission are emitted in a substantially coincided orientation in the slow scan direction.

Abstract: A printer head capable of increasing intensity of dot-like light irradiated onto a record medium without requiring to increase a drive voltage or the number of printer heads arranged. The optical printer head includes a luminous element including two luminous dot arrays arranged in parallel to each other at a predetermined interval in a sub-scanning direction. The luminous dot arrays each are constituted of a plurality of luminous dots which have a dimension in the sub-scanning direction increased by a predetermined magnification as compared with that in a main scanning direction and are spaced from each other at identical intervals in the main scanning direction. The luminous dots of the two luminous dot arrays are arranged in an offset manner while being deviated from each other in the main scanning direction by a distance equal to the dimension thereof in the main scanning direction.

Abstract: A diffractive deflection beam scanning system including: a plurality of light sources; a deflection disc rotatably mounted over the light sources, having patterns capable of diffracting and deflecting beams emitted from the light sources; a plurality of first reflecting mirrors for changing the traveling paths of beams diffracted and deflected by the deflection disc; a plurality of second reflecting mirrors for reflecting the beams reflected by the first reflecting mirrors in a beam scan direction, wherein the light sources are disposed in a straight line along a bisecting line of the deflection disc, perpendicular to the beam scan direction, and the second reflecting mirrors are arranged over the center of the deflection disc at different heights.

Abstract: In a laser marking method, wherein a liquid crystal mask having thereon a desired pattern to be marked is scanned with a laser beam to mark an object with the pattern by the laser beam passed through the liquid crystal mask, the liquid crystal mask is maintained in a predetermined condition of a temperature higher than the room temperature, a marking operation being carried out by using a laser beam in such a high-temperature condition, thus enabling a speed of response of the liquid crystal element, and a working efficiency concerning the laser marking operation to be improved.

Abstract: A laser scanning apparatus including an optical source installed on a main frame, a scan disk which is rotatably installed on the main frame and has diffraction patterns formed thereon for deflecting a beam emitted from the optical source in a predetermined direction to achieve a normal light path, and a means for shielding an abnormal beam that is emitted from the optical source and diffracted or reflected off the normal light path by the scan disk.

Abstract: A multi-beam scanning optical apparatus employs a beam pitch adjusting system in which the position of a first beam is detected by using a beam position detecting system composed of a knife edge shaped plate and one photo sensor, and in which the optical path of the second beam is corrected so that the position of the second beam may be at a specified distance from the position of the first beam. A further embodiment of the beam pitch adjusting systems includes a beam position detecting system using a line position sensor by CCD or PSD. A yet further embodiment of the beam pitch adjusting system includes a position detecting system utilizing the power of a beam efficiently by disposing a focusing lens on an optical path of the beam. Hence, beam pitch adjustment is facilitated, the pitch adjustment precision is enhanced, the range of pitch adjustment is optimized, the number of parts is reduced, and space is saved.

Abstract: A digital photograph printer comprising a transport mechanism, a modulated light source (1206), and an exposure controller (1302). The transport mechanism for advancing a photosensitive medium (1202) through an exposure region (1200) such that said photosensitive medium advances one row of pixel locations each row period. The modulated light source (1206) is operable to selectively provide a beam of light to an array of individually modulated regions (1300, 1306, 1310) in an exposure region (1200). As the photosensitive medium (1202) moves through the exposure region (1200) the individually modulated regions in the exposure region (1200) have the opportunity to expose each pixel locations in the exposure region (1200) once each row period. The exposure controller (1302) operable to control the modulated light source (1206) based on image data provided to modulated light source.

Abstract: A lenticular image printer creates an image on received media having a series of lenticules with parallel axes. The printer includes a transport system adapted to move received media in an in-track direction substantially perpendicular to the axes of the lenticules. An alignment beam generator is arranged to transmit an alignment beam through the lenticules of received media such that the alignment beam is in-track position-modulated by the lenticules. Three position-sensing detectors are aligned in a cross-track direction perpendicular to the in-track direction so as to receive the position-modulated alignment beam whereby the position of the position-modulated alignment beam on the detectors provides an indication of the relative alignment of the axes of the lenticules and the cross-track direction.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus having therein an image recording section includes: a light emitting dot row provided on a base plate and having thereon anodes arranged in a form of an array of a single row or a plurality of rows and having phosphors provided on the anodes; a cathode provided apart from the light emitting dot row, electrons emitted from the cathode colliding on the phosphors thereby the phosphors emit light; a grid which covers at least a part of the base plate in the vicinity of at least the light emitting dot row; an image focusing optical system having a focal depth of 350 .mu.m for focusing light emitted from the light emitting dot row on an image recording position; a driving element for driving the light emitting dot row so that the light emitting dot row emits light; and a conveyance device which conveys the light emitting dot row or an image recording medium so that the image recording medium moves relatively to the light emitting dot row.

Abstract: A laser marking method and an apparatus thereof which realize stamp processing with a beautiful appearance and a high precision, without reducing the manufacturing efficiency. The laser marking method comprises a step of sequentially displaying divisional patterns each corresponding to one scanning line of a first deflector, a step of sequentially scanning the divisional patterns with a laser beam from a laser oscillator by the first deflector, and a step of moving a stamp position on a work surface for every one of scanning transmission beams respectively transmitted through the divisional patterns, in a direction perpendicular to a scanning direction, by a second deflector, thereby to synthesize and stamp the divisional patterns.

Abstract: An exposing apparatus is provided with a first laser beam source for being directly modulated in terms of light amount and for emitting a first laser beam having a first wavelength; a second laser beam source for emitting a second laser beam having a second wavelength different from the first wavelength; and an audio-optical modulation element for modulating the second laser beam in terms of light amount.

Abstract: An optical scanning apparatus in which the luminous flux emitted from a light source is deflected by a deflecting device and formed by an optical device into a spot-shaped image on a plane to be scanned. The optical device has first and second toric lenses. The first toric lens has both lens surfaces formed into aspherical shapes in the main scanning cross section and has a meniscus shape in which a concave surface faces the deflecting device in the vicinity of the center of scanning and which provides a positive refractive power. The second toric lens has both lens surfaces formed into aspherical shapes in the main scanning cross section and has a meniscus shape in which a convex surface faces the deflecting device in the vicinity of the center of scanning and which provides a positive refractive power.

Abstract: A scanner apparatus and an image recording apparatus are provided with an array-like light source. A plurality of laser beams emitted from a semiconductor laser array are collected into a limited space region by a field lens, and an optical element integral with an image forming lens and a Fourier conversion element is arranged in the space region to form the plurality of laser beams into beams having a light intensity distribution of a Bessel-Gaussian type on a photosensitive drum.

Abstract: An image-wise exposure apparatus includes a mirror array device comprising a plurality of small mirrors which are two-dimensionally arrayed in two directions normal to each other and a drive mechanism for changing the orientations of the respective small mirrors independently from each other so that light impinging upon each of the small mirrors is reflected selectively in one of a first direction in which the reflected light impinges upon the photosensitive material and a second direction in which the reflected light does not impinge upon the photosensitive material. A control circuit controls the drive mechanism according to an image signal. In the image-wise exposure apparatus, picture element shifting is carried out. There is provided an antireflective mask which limits the effective aperture of each small mirror to a continuous region not longer than 1.

Abstract: A square laser recording spot, having an energy profile with a very sharp transition between the writing and non-writing area in both dimensions, is created by a shaping the laser energy into a line narrower than the desired spot size and scanning this line to create a square spot. The sharp transition resists changes in the writing process which could vary the size of the mark created by the spot. The square shape of the mark avoids dot gain and eliminates the need for dot gain calibration.