Patent ID: 7477813
Filing Date: 2009-01-13
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
1. A multi-beam light source comprising: an optical fiber array in which a plurality of optical fibers are arrayed or a semiconductor laser array in which a plurality of semiconductor lasers are arrayed; and a light guide array having a plurality of light guide patterns which are to be connected with exit surfaces of the optical fiber array or the semiconductor laser array so that a plurality of beams emitted from the optical fiber array or the semiconductor laser array are guided by the light guide patterns; wherein: an array pitch P an array pitch P the number of the light guide patterns is N or more times as large as the number of the optical fibers or the semiconductor lasers (providing N is an integer not smaller than 2); and exit surfaces of the plurality of optical fibers or the plurality of semiconductor lasers are connected with entrance surfaces of a plurality of the light guide patterns opposed thereto.