Patent ID: 8111455

Claim:
A light source apparatus comprising: semiconductor laser elements that emit laser light according to an inputted current signal, a light receiving element that receives the laser light emitted from the semiconductor laser elements, and a controller that controls light emission of the semiconductor laser elements, wherein the controller includes: a first semiconductor laser element drive circuit that outputs a current signal to the semiconductor laser elements according to an instruction signal, a second semiconductor laser element drive circuit that adjusts the current signal based on a light quantity of the laser light received by the light receiving element, and outputs the adjusted current signal to the semiconductor laser elements, and a circuit switching section that switches between the first semiconductor laser element drive circuit and the second semiconductor laser element drive circuit according to an instruction signal, wherein the first semiconductor laser element drive circuit outputs a current signal to allow the semiconductor laser elements to emit pulsed laser light, and wherein the second semiconductor laser element drive circuit is used when a current signal is outputted to allow the semiconductor laser elements to emit continuous laser light.