Patent ID: 6381057
Filing Date: 2002-04-30
Classification: B41J,G02B

Abstract:
A multi-beam scanning apparatus, comprising:a light source having a semiconductor laser chip including a plurality of light emitting points arranged such that optical beam spots are impinged at a predetermined interval in a sub-scanning direction on a surface to be scanned, a light receiving element receiving a light flux from the semiconductor laser chip and arranged to monitor the light, and a case housing the semiconductor laser chip and the monitoring light receiving element and having an opening for allowing the light emitted from a surface of the semiconductor laser chip to emerge from the case; a coupling lens coupling a divergent light flux from the light source with a subsequent system; a deflector having a deflecting surface arranged to deflect the light flux; a first imaging system arranged between the coupling lens and the deflector and having a power in the subscanning direction so as to transform the light flux from the coupling lens into a substantially linear image in a vicinity of the deflecting surface of the deflector; a second imaging system arranged to image the deflected light flux into an optical beam spot on the surface to be scanned; and an intercepting member arranged to intercept light which is emitted from a back of the semiconductor laser chip and dispersed in the case and passes through the opening in the case before reaching the surface to be scanned.