Multiple beam scanning optics for laser printer: Application of optical fiber array method

We have developed laser printer optics using various kinds of multiple beam generation devices, such as a polarization prism, grating, diode laser arr ay, and optical fiber array. Recently we successfully demonstrated laser-pr int experiments using five beams from an optical fiber array. In the array, fibers are arranged with a spacing of 0.15 mm and emit circular Gaussian b eams that have a diameter of 5 mum and a wavelength of 635 nm. The waveleng th of diode lasers is determined from sensitivity of the photoconductor dru m Of As2Se3 material. The arrangement error vertical to the array is mostly suppressed below 0.4 mum. In the optics, curve of scan lines and print pos ition errors in the scan direction are suppressed to a negligible size due to minimization of the magnification variation in the sub-scan direction al ong the print width and achromatized design, respectively.