초록 ▼

A zoomable light beam spreader comprising first and second multiple-lens arrays includes a plurality of plano-convex lenses in correspondence with a plurality of plano-concave lenses having matched, curved optical surfaces. In a zero-power state, the two multiple-lens arrays are very closely spaced

A zoomable light beam spreader comprising first and second multiple-lens arrays includes a plurality of plano-convex lenses in correspondence with a plurality of plano-concave lenses having matched, curved optical surfaces. In a zero-power state, the two multiple-lens arrays are very closely spaced so that the matched convex and concave surfaces effectively cancel each other optically but, as the two arrays are separated coaxially along the axis of a light beam, beam divergence angle increases as a function of the distance of separation. A large amount of beam divergence is obtained when the curved surfaces of the plano-concave lenses of the second array are positioned beyond the focus points of the plano-convex lenses of the first array.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.]1. An apparatus for controlling divergence of a beam of light, comprising:a first multiple-lens array comprising a plurality of plano-convex lenses arranged in a pattern and supported on a transparent substrate;a second multiple-lens array comprising a plurality of plano-c

[ What is claimed is:] [1.]1. An apparatus for controlling divergence of a beam of light, comprising:a first multiple-lens array comprising a plurality of plano-convex lenses arranged in a pattern and supported on a transparent substrate;a second multiple-lens array comprising a plurality of plano-concave lenses arranged in a pattern and supported on a transparent substrate;the first and second multiple-lens arrays being formed so that a curvature of convex lens surfaces of the first array matches a curvature of concave surfaces of the second array, and each convex lens surface of the first array corresponds to and is aligned with a matching concave lens surface of the second array;the first and second multiple-lens arrays being disposed serially and coaxially in a light beam path such that convex lens surfaces of the first array are generally adjacent concave surfaces of the second array;one of the multiple-lens arrays being movable coaxially with respect to the other of the multiple-lens arrays; andwherein either no substantial transmission or no substantial refraction of the beam of light takes place in any spacing between the plurality of lenses of at least one of the first and the second multiple-lens arrays.