Laser diode alignment apparatus and method for optical scanners

Abstract

A laser diode alignment apparatus and method for an optical scanner which independently minimizes lateral and angular deviation of a laser beam from the scanner axis. The alignment apparatus includes a socket member and a plug member. The socket member includes a cylindrical wall portion, including a circular inner ridge having an inwardly facing spherical surface, and a base portion coupled to the cylindrical wall portion having a rearwardly facing spherical surface and a circular aperture therethrough. The plug member contains the laser diode and includes a cylindrical front end portion including a spherical front edge section, having the same curvature as the rearwardly facing spherical surface, and a spherical center portion coupled to the cylindrical front end portion having the same curvature as the inwardly facing spherical surface. The plug member has a beam origin point coinciding with the diode's combined center of rotation and pivot point. The alignment method centers a screen, having a reference point, on the axis and at the focal point of the scanner, places the laser beam origin point on the scanner axis, and moves the laser diode until the laser beam image coincides with the reference point on the screen.