Scanning mirror system and associated methods

摘要

A scanning mirror includes a reflective surface having a preset width dimension measured orthogonally to its axis of rotation. The preset width dimension accommodates a maximum angle of incidence of a beam being scanned by the reflective surface. A length dimension of the reflective surface, as measured along the axis of rotation, is at least equal to a diameter of the beam being scanned. A bottom portion of the reflective surface has an effective width dimension greater than the preset width dimension, and a top portion of the reflective surface has an effective width dimension less than the preset width dimension, such that a greater inertia is provided to the bottom portion of the scanning mirror that to the top portion. One shape for the reflective surface comprises a trapezoid.

主权项

1. A laser scanning system comprising:
a laser source operable for transmitting a laser beam having a generally circular cross section and measurable diameter thereof, the laser beam transmitted along a beam axis; a first scanner having a first mirror operable thereby for at least one of oscillations and rotations, the first mirror positioned for receiving the generally circular laser beam reflecting the laser beam therefrom, wherein the first mirror is angled with respect to the beam axis providing an angle of incidence such that the generally circular laser beam received thereby and scanned within an oval shaped beam area, and wherein the first mirror has a trapezoidal shape including a length dimension measured along an axis of rotation of the first mirror equal to at least one diameter of the laser beam incident on the first mirror, a bottom width dimension measured orthogonal to the axis of rotation greater than a top width dimension and a width dimension therebetween equal to at least a secant of the angle of incidence of the laser beam onto the first mirror times the diameter thereof; a second scanner having a second mirror operable thereby for at least one of oscillations and rotations, the second mirror positioned for receiving the laser beam reflected from the first mirror and reflecting the laser beam therefrom, the first mirror positioned proximate the second mirror; and a target positioned for receiving the laser beam reflected from the second mirror.