Patent ID: 6471372
Filing Date: 2002-10-29
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
An optical beam transformation system, comprising:at least one light source that is capable of emitting at least one beam of light, each said beam of light having a direction of propagation; an optical beam transformation device comprising two or more segments of cylindrical lenses, each of said segments having a substantially equal focal length (Fn), wherein said segments are arranged adjacent to each other, said segments are arranged at right angles to each other, and wherein said segments provide at least one entry plane and/or at least one exit plane for said beam of light; an imaging element to at least partially pass said at least one beam of light emitted by said at least one light source onto said optical beam transformation device, wherein said optical beam transformation device rotates said beam of light about said direction of propagation by an angle of about 90 degrees, and wherein said beam of light incident upon said optical beam transformation device has a linear or a rectangular cross-section and that a cylinder axis of said segment of cylindrical lens is at an angle with respect to a longitudinal direction of said linear or rectangular cross-section of said beam of light within said entry or exit plane at an angle of about 45 degrees.