Lens array to disperse zero-order beams of an emitter array on a diffractive optical element

An optical system may include an emitter array to emit a plurality of beams of light, and a lens array. The lens array may be arranged to collimate and direct each of the plurality of beams of light. A pitch between lenses of the lens array may be larger than a pitch between emitters of the emitter array in order to cause the plurality of beams of light to be directed such that they diverge after exiting the lens array. The optical system may include a diffractive optical element to distribute each of the plurality of beams of light into a plurality of beamlets in association with creating a light pattern. The divergence of each of the plurality of beams of light may cause a plurality of zero-order beamlets, each corresponding to one of the plurality of beams of light, to diverge after exiting the diffractive optical element.