Eastman-Kodak Company

James A Cutaia

Joseph Y Kaukeinen

Erich Zielinski

Michael S Ferschl

Eileen M Kemp

In an imaging apparatus utilizing a rotating carrier member arranged to carry a writing element, a source of light is provided which is movable with respect to the writing element to project a writing beam of light onto the writing element to generate an image. The source of light comprises a plurality of laser diodes and a plurality of optical fibers connecting the diodes to a movable writing head adjacent the carrier member, with the optical fibers in the writing head have output ends arranged in a linear array. The improvement comprises a substantially planar support substrate disposed in the writing head arranged to support the output ends of the optical fibers on a first surface thereof. The substrate is provided with a plurality of grooves on the first surface with each groove receiving the output end of an individual fiber. A focusing arrangement is provided for focusing the writing beam with respect to the writing element and comprises a laser diode for generating a focusing beam of light to be projected onto the writing element, and a photocell. A focusing optical fiber connects the focusing diode to the writing head, with the end of the focusing optical fiber at the writing head being supported on the opposite surface of the substrate from the first surface substantially centrally of the linear array of the writing beam optical fibers.

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Rochester, NY, United States of America

James A Cutaia