Patent ID: 6301054
Filing Date: 2001-10-09
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
A beam separation control apparatus for varying the separation distance between four light beams along an optical axis comprising:a first laser source for emitting a first light beam parallel to an optical axis,a second laser source for emitting a second light beam parallel to said optical axis,a third laser source for emitting a third light beam parallel to an optical axis, said second light beam and said third light beam being separated by a first spacing,a fourth laser source for emitting a fourth light beam parallel to said optical axis, said first light beam and said fourth light beam being separated by a second spacing, andan optical element having:a first incident surface for refracting said first light beam to a first exit surface which refracts said first light beam from said optical element, said first incident surface being parallel to said first exit surface, said first incident surface and said first exit surface being at a first angle to said optical axis,a second incident surface for refracting said second light beam to a second exit surface which refracts said second light beam from said optical element, said second incident surface being parallel to said second exit surface, said second incident surface and said second exit surface being at a second angle to said optical axis,a third incident surface for refracting said third light beam to a third exit surface which refracts said third light beam from said optical element, said third incident surface being parallel to said third exit surface, said third incident surface and third exit surface being at said second angle to said optical axis, whereby said second light beam and said third light beam being separated by a third spacing after refraction from said optical element, said third spacing being a lesser distance than said first spacing, anda fourth incident surface for refracting said fourth light beam to a fourth exit surface which refracts said fourth light beam from said optical element, said fourth incident surface being parallel to said fourth exit surface, said fourth incident surface and fourth exit surface being at said first angle to said optical axis, whereby said first light beam and said fourth light beam being separated by a fourth spacing after refraction from said optical element, said fourth spacing being a lesser distance than said second spacing.