Hybrid binary optics collimation fill optics

Abstract

A cylindrical lens and a binary optical element for collimating with low optical aberrations an asymmetrically diverging input wavefront. The binary optical element is formed on a planar substrate on which a binary optical diffraction pattern is etched on the front surface thereof. The binary optical diffraction pattern is designed such that each ray of light from the diverging input light source will travel the same optical path length or vary from that optical path length by an integer multiple of the wavelength of the light in travelling from its source to its exit from the front surface of the binary optical element. A beam angle alignment element is also provided, to be utilized in conjunction with a cylindrical lens and the binary optical element, for correcting angular misalignments of diode lasers whose output wavefront has an optical axis which is either above or below the plane in which the active region is formed. The beam angle alignment element is also a planar substrate on which a binary optic diffraction pattern is etched. The binary optic diffraction pattern of the beam angle alignment elements diffracts the wavefront exiting from the binary optic element so as to align the wavefront about its optical axis. The cylindrical lens, the binary optical element, as well as the beam angle alignment element may be used in conjunction with a single diode lasing element, as well as a one dimensional or a two dimensional diode laser array.