A method and apparatus for printing images in multiple formats using a spatial light modulator

摘要

A printer (100) and a method for printer optics design utilizing a spatial light modulator (52), able to print in a plurality of output formats, depending on width of media (160) loaded in the printer, (100) are disclosed. The printer (100) provides high resolution and grayscale imaging capability for monochromatic applications such as micrographics and for diagnostic imaging. In the apparatus and method, illumination optics (11) receive a source light beam, from one or more LEDs or from a number of other possible light sources (29) available on the printer (100), uniformize and polarize the beam, and direct the beam through a polarization beamsplitter element (50). The polarization beamsplitter element (50) directs one polarization state of light to one or more LCD spatial light modulators (52). The LCD spatial light modulator (52) modulates the polarization of the polarized beam to provide output exposure energy suitable for image marking on dry or aqueous media (160). An optional sensor (234) allows printer (100) to automatically detect the width of a given type of media (160) in order to allow selection from a set of compatible output formats. Printer (100) is capable of exposing multiple images onto media (160) at one time. Multiple segments of media (160) can be exposed at the image plane (150) simultaneously. <IMAGE>