Line illumination apparatus using laser arrays

摘要

An illumination apparatus forms, onto a linear array light modulator, a line of illumination that extends in a linear direction. The illumination apparatus has a first laser array with laser emitters for forming a first linear beam array and a second laser array with laser emitters for forming a second linear beam array. An array combiner aligns at least the first and second linear beam arrays in the linear direction and directs the first and second linear beam arrays along a propagation path to form a mixed illumination. At least first and second cylindrical lens elements having power in the linear direction relay the mixed illumination from the propagation path toward the linear array light modulator. At least third and fourth cylindrical lens elements having power in the cross-array direction that is orthogonal to the linear direction focus the mixed illumination onto the linear array light modulator.