Patent Number: 
Section: claims

1. An optical element for transmitting light emitted from a linear array of light sources, the optical element comprising:a light-transmissive member, having a refractive index of about 1.4 to about 1.8, and definingan entry surface for disposal near the light sources, the entry surface defining a plurality of sets of prisms, each set of prisms disposed to be adjacent a light source,an exit surface, anda section of a DCPC (dielectric compound parabolic concentrator) between the entry surface and the exit surface. 2. The optical element of claim 1, each prism defining an angle greater than about 48°. 3. The optical element of claim 1, the optical element extending in a first direction corresponding to the linear array of light sources, and each prism being oriented in a direction perpendicular to the first direction. 4. The optical element of claim 1, the entry surface defining gaps between adjacent sets of prisms. 5. The optical element of claim 4, each gap being at least partially reflective of light traveling within the element. 6. The optical element of claim 5, each gap having about an 80% reflectance. 7. The optical element of claim 1, each prism defining a pitch of no more than about 1.0 mm. 8. An apparatus for recording an image on a sheet, comprising:a linear array of light sources;an optical element extending along the linear array of light sources for directing light from the light sources to the sheet, the optical element defining an entry surface disposed near the light sources, the entry surface defining a plurality of sets of prisms, each set of prisms disposed to be adjacent a light source, the entry surface defining gaps between adjacent sets of prisms; andcollection optics for receiving light reflected from the sheet, the collection optics defining an acceptance angle;each prism of the set of prisms defining an angle whereby light exiting the optical element is outside the acceptance angle of the collection optics. 9. The apparatus of claim 8, each prism being oriented in a direction perpendicular to the linear array of light sources. 10. The apparatus of claim 8, each prism defining a pitch of no more than about 1.0 mm. 11. The apparatus of claim 8, the optical element further defining an exit surface, the element defining a section of a DCPC (dielectric compound parabolic concentrator) between the entry surface and the exit surface, a distance between each light source and an adjacent set of prisms being less than about 2 mm. 12. The apparatus of claim 8, each gap being at least partially reflective of light traveling within the element. 13. The apparatus of claim 12, each gap having about an 80% reflectance. 14. The apparatus of claim 8, the collection optics including a SELFOC® lens. 15. The apparatus of claim 14, the SELFOC® lens being an SLA-09 lens, and the angle of each prism being not less than about 48°. 16. The apparatus of claim 14, the SELFOC® lens being an SLA-12 lens, and the angle of each prism being not less than about 52°. 17. The apparatus of claim 14, the SELFOC® lens being an SLA-20 lens, and the angle of each prism being not less than about 55°. 18. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising a photosensitive device for receiving light from the collection optics.