| 摘要 |
A multiple beam scanning apparatus and a light source unit employed in the multiple beam scanning apparatus and a method of multiple beam scanning. A multiple beam scanning apparatus is realized which utilizes a multiple beam system in which four or more light beams are employed with comparatively low cost without making a light source unit, deflection medium, focusing optical system, etc. large sized. The light source unit employed in the multiple beam scanning apparatus includes m (m>/=2) pieces of semiconductor laser arrays respectively having n (n>/=2) light-emitting points. A multiple beam system is realized utilizing n-times multiple beams without making the light source unit large sized. Furthermore, another multiple beam system is realized utilizing m-times multiple beams and enabling making such a multiple beam system on further profitable conditions.
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