Laser sheet generator

Abstract

A laser line generator having a laser diode, or other laser source, emits a laser which is passed through an aspherical lens to create a two-dimensional fan-shaped light sheet. This light sheet is reflected off a flat mirror to expand the width of the light sheet without increasing the size required by the optical path. The light sheet is then reflected by parabolic mirror to create a straight, planar light sheet.

1 . An apparatus for emitting a linear, planar sheet of light, comprising: 
 a laser which emits a beam of light;    an aspherical lens which converts said beam of light into a fan-shaped sheet of light; and    a parabolic mirror which reflects said fan-shaped sheet of light into a linear, planar sheet of light.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a flat mirror located between said aspherical lens and said parabolic mirror which reflects said fan-shaped sheet of light from said aspherical lens into said parabolic mirror.