REFLECTING SYSTEM FOR IMPROVING THE UNIFORMITY OF A LIGHT BEAM

摘要

Apparatus for improving the uniformity of the intensity distribution across the width of a light beam comprises primary optical means (16) for focusing the beam into a primary focus line (P) extending across the axis of the beam and a primary plane reflecting surface (18) located so as to reflect said beam in the region of the primary focus line.
The primary plane reflecting surface is located so that the primary focus line extends parallel to and adjacent to the primary reflecting surface. The primary reflecting surface is inclined at a first angle to the axis of the beam so as to reflect the beam at a plane inclined at the first angle to the axis.
The first angle may be zero so that the primary reflecting surface extends parallel to the axis of the beam.
The apparatus may also include an additional primary plane reflecting surface (24) located adjacent to the primary focus line as to reflect the beam at a plane inclined at another angle to the axis of the beam.
The apparatus may further include secondary plane reflecting surfaces similar to the primary plane reflecting surfaces for providing further reflection of the beam at planes at right angles to the planes of reflection provided by the primary plane reflecting surfaces.