Patent ID: 7155081

Claim:
A two-dimensional optical deflector comprising: a first deflector for deflecting a light beam about a first axis at a high speed; a second deflector for deflecting a light beam about a second axis perpendicular to the first axis at a low speed; and a fixing mechanism for fixing the first deflector to the second deflector, the first deflector including a deflector chip and actuating means for actuating the deflector chip, the deflector chip including a movable portion having a reflecting surface, a support located outside the movable portion, and a connecting portion connecting the movable portion and the support, the connecting portion extending along the first axis, and being capable of twisting about the first axis, so as to allow the movable portion to rock about the first axis with respect to the support, the second deflector including a rotation shaft capable of rocking about the second axis, and the fixing mechanism including a fixing member having a rotation shaft fixing hole, which engages with the rotation shaft of the second deflector with substantially no space between them, and fastening means for decreasing a diameter of the rotation shaft fixing hole of the fixing member, the diameter of the rotation shaft fixing hole of the fixing member being decreased by the fastening means so that the fixing member is fixed to the rotation shaft of the second deflector, the fixing member further including a first deflector mount surface, on which the first deflector is mounted, the first deflector mount surface forming an angle of substantially 45° with respect to the second axis while the fixing member is fixed to the rotation shaft of the second deflector, and the fixing mechanism further including fixing means for fixing the first deflector to the fixing member so that the reflecting surface of the movable portion in a non-actuation state is substantially parallel to the first deflector mount surface of the fixing member.