METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING RECTANGULAR SHAPED ARRAY OF LIGHT BEAMS

摘要

A linear array of equal intensity optical beams is transformed into a rectangular array of equal intensity optical beams, while the intensity of each beam is kept nearly constant. The transformation is performed using an optical element in the form of a plate (14) having two principal planar parallel surfaces (16, 22) and which has two coatings (18, 20) on the front surface (16) and a reflective coating on the opposing back surface (22). The front surface (16) is partially coated with a reflective coating (20) and partially coated with an anti-reflective coating (18). The beams are incident upon the front surface, with some of the beams incident on each of the two different coatings on the front surface.