Patent ID: 6478452
Filing Date: 2002-11-12
Classification: H01S

Abstract:
An illumination apparatus, comprising:a semiconductor-laser providing light-output in first and second mutually perpendicular axes said light-output propagating in a direction mutually perpendicular to said first and second axes; an optical system including first, second, and third lenses spaced apart in consecutive numerical order in said direction of propagation said first and third lenses each having positive dioptric power in each of said first and second axes and said second lens having zero optical power in said first axis and positive optical power in said second axis, said optical system being arranged cooperative with said semiconductor laser such that said second lens brings said light output to an intermediate focus in said second axis only, and such that said third lens focuses said light-output in said first and second axes at respectively first and second focal-points spaced apart in said propagation direction, said first focal point being closer to said optical system than said second focal point; and wherein at a plane intersecting said first focal point perpendicular to said direction of propagation, said focused semiconductor-laser light-output is formed into a line of light having a width in said first axis and a length in said second axis.