Techniques are provided for laser illumination employing closely spaced laser beams. A system implementing the techniques according to an embodiment includes a semi-cylindrical optical block comprising a curved surface and a planar surface. A first laser source to generate a first laser beam directed to the planar surface, wherein the first laser beam enters the optical block at a first angle that exceeds a critical angle, relative to the planar surface, the critical angle causing total internal reflection, such that the first laser beam is refracted through and exits the optical block. A second laser source to generate a second laser beam directed to the curved surface, wherein the second laser beam enters the optical block at a second angle that exceeds the critical angle, relative to the planar surface, such that the second laser beam is reflected off the planar surface and exits the optical block parallel to the first laser beam exiting from the optical block, the separation based on a location of the entry of the first laser beam into the optical block. The separation of the exiting first and second laser beams is controlled by the selected translation distance.