A method and apparatus for monochromatic printing using a spatial light modulator

摘要

A method and apparatus for monochromatic printing which records an image from digital image data onto a photosensitive medium (160) is disclosed. The apparatus comprises the following: A light source (29) provides the monochromatic illumination. A uniformizer uniformizes a wavefront of light emitted from the light source (29). A polarizer (134) for filtering the uniformized light provides a polarized beam having a predetermined polarization state. A spatial light modulator (52) has a plurality of individual elements capable of altering the polarization state of the polarized beam to provide an exposure beam for printing. A state of each of the elements is controlled according to the digital image data. An optics assembly (11) is used for directing the polarized beam to the modulator and the exposure beam from the spatial light modulator (52). A lens assembly (132) is used for directing the exposure beam onto the photosensitive medium (160). <IMAGE>