Patent ID: 8594533
Filing Date: 2013-11-26
Classification: G02B,G03G

Abstract:
1. A scanning optical apparatus comprising: a first scanning unit; a second scanning unit; and a deflecting unit which deflects a light beam for scanning and is shared by the first scanning unit and the second scanning unit, the deflecting unit having a first deflecting surface and a second deflecting surface which is different from the first deflecting surface, wherein the first scanning unit includes: wherein the second scanning unit includes: wherein the light beam from the first light source unit and the light beam from the second light source unit scan the first surface to be scanned and the second surface to be scanned by rotating the deflecting unit in directions opposed to each other in a main scanning direction, and wherein the first scanning unit and the second scanning unit are configured to reduce a difference between: (a) difference between a slow axis direction of an imaging optical element included in the first imaging optical system and a polarization direction of light beam incident on the first imaging optical system from the first light source unit, and (b) a difference between a slow axis direction of an imaging optical element included in the second imaging optical system and a polarization direction of light beam incident on the second imaging optical system from the second light source unit.