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 array, and optical fiber array. Recently we successfully demonstrated laser-print 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 beams that have a diameter of 5 μm and a wavelength of 635 nm. The wavelength of diode lasers is determined from sensitivity of the photoconductor drum of As₂Se₃ material. The arrangement error vertical to the array is mostly suppressed below 0.4 μm. In the optics, curve of scan lines and print position errors in the scan direction are suppressed to a negligible size due to minimization of the magnification variation in the sub-scan direction along the print width and achromatized design, respectively.This paper was originally presented at the 2nd International Conference on Optical Design and Fabrication, ODF2000 which was held on November 15-17, 2000 at the International Conference Center, Tokyo, Waseda University, Japan.