A numerical aperture (NA) equalizing apparatus including a transmission
element with an input surface, in which the input surface has a first
input dimension and a second input dimension, with the second input
dimension being substantially orthogonal to the first input dimension, and
the first input dimension is substantially unequal to the second input
dimension. Such an NA equalizing system may further include a reflector
having a first and a second focal points, with a source of electromagnetic
radiation located proximate to the first focal point to produce rays of
radiation that are reflected by the reflector and converge substantially
at the second focal point. A transmission element to be illuminated with
at least a portion of the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the source
is placed so that an input surface is located proximate to the second
focal point to collect the electromagnetic radiation. The input surface
has a first input dimension and a second input dimension, with the second
input dimension being substantially orthogonal to the first input
dimension, and the first input dimension is substantially unequal to the
second input dimension.
