Patent ID: 7167291
Filing Date: 2007-01-23
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
1. An optical scanning apparatus, comprising: light source means; a first optical system for converting a divergent light beam emitted from the light source means; a second optical system for guiding the light beam converted in the first optical system to an optical deflector; and a third optical system for guiding the light beam deflected by the optical deflector to a surface to be scanned, wherein the first optical system and the second optical system convert the light beam emitted from the light source means into a collimated light beam or a nearly collimated light beam within a main scanning cross-section to make a width of the light beam wider than that of the deflecting surface in a main scanning direction to make the light beam incident on a deflecting surface of the optical deflector, and wherein an optical surface which is included in the second optical system and which has an aspherical operation within the main scanning cross-section compensates for spherical aberration generated in the first optical system.