Patent ID: 7439999
Filing Date: 2008-10-21
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
1. An optical scanning apparatus comprising: a Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser including a plurality of light-emitting portions that are spaced from each other in at least a sub-scanning direction, wherein the plurality of light-emitting portions emits a plurality of light beams; a first optical system including a light-condensing element that converts the plurality of light beams into a combined light beam in another state; a deflecting unit that reflects the combined light beam; and a second optical system that focuses the reflected combined light beam on a surface to be scanned, the second optical system including at least an imaging optical element having an optical surface with a non-arc shape in a sub-scanning cross section, wherein, when the number of the light-emitting portions is N, the focal length in sub-scanning direction of the light-condensing element is Fcol (mm), the maximum effective image circle diameter of the light-condensing element is IS (mm), the imaging magnification of the second optical system in the sub-scanning direction is β