Patent attributes
A light beam splitting element that is arranged on an optical path of a light beam emitted from a VCSEL element splits an incident light beam into a first light beam and a second light beam. An optical system focuses the first light beam on the scanning surface and moves an optical spot formed by a focused light beam on the scanning surface in the main scanning direction. A light receiving element that is mounted on a circuit board receives the second light beam. A dust-proof member bridges a space between the circuit board and a circuit-board holding member that holds the circuit board and surrounds the light receiving element.