US Patent 8194170 Axicon lens array

An optical lens array for imaging and illumination applications is provided. The lens array comprises a first axicon at a first end of the array, a second axicon positioned distally from the first axicon along an optical axis and a third axicon positioned distally from the second axicon along the optical axis. The third axicon provides an objective lens to a focal region or focus region. The third axicon is positioned at a fixed location in the array wherein the distance between the first and second axicons can be altered to control the position of the focal region defined by the depth of field for imaging applications and depth of focus for illumination applications of the third axicon.