Beam-folding wedge tunnel

摘要

An apparatus forming a wedge shaped mirror tunnel makes the intensity distribution across a light beam uniform. A light beam is directed along a predetermined path through a cylindrical lens to focus the beam to a line at a particular point P. A plane mirror is placed along the predetermined path near point P so that the beam is folded onto itself. A plurality of cascaded optical means of this type, each stage of which comprises a focusing lens and a reflective surface, is used to achieve the beam uniformity needed for the chosen application. In each of the cascaded stages, the reflective surface is positioned at the appropriate angle to fold the beam upon itself.