Abstract: A laser exposure system includes an electrically-controlled diffraction grating which can be controlled to be in a first state where the incident light beam is undiffracted and a second state where the incident light beam is diffracted into a plurality of light beams including a zero-order light beam and first and second diffracted light beams. An aperture structure which passes the first and second diffracted light beams while blocking the zero-order light beam. A polarization rotator rotates a polarization state of the second diffracted light, and a polarization beam combiner combines the first diffracted light beam and the polarization-rotated second diffracted light beam onto a common path forming a combined light beam. An optical element focuses the combined light beam onto an imaging medium. A controller controls the state of the electrically-controlled diffraction grating in accordance with pixel data to form a printed image.

Abstract: A laser exposure system includes an electrically-controlled diffraction grating which can be controlled to be in a first state where the incident light beam is undiffracted and a second state where the incident light beam is diffracted into a plurality of light beams including a zero-order light beam and first and second diffracted light beams. An aperture structure which passes the first and second diffracted light beams while blocking the zero-order light beam. A polarization rotator rotates a polarization state of the second diffracted light, and a polarization beam combiner combines the first diffracted light beam and the polarization-rotated second diffracted light beam onto a common path forming a combined light beam. An optical element focuses the combined light beam onto an imaging medium. A controller controls the state of the electrically-controlled diffraction grating in accordance with pixel data to form a printed image.

Abstract: A method for dynamic correction of cross-array errors in an optical systems incorporating laser diode bar (100) including emitting laser beams from a plurality of emitters (101, 102) on the laser diode bar; analyzing the beams produced from each of the plurality of emitters; measuring a deviation of each emitter relative to a straight line (201); transferring the deviation for each of the emitters relative to the straight line to a controller (810); and driving a plurality of actuators connected to micro-mirrors to correct for the deviation from the straight line of each of the emitters.

Abstract: A method for modulating light using a micro-electro-mechanical structure includes providing a plurality of deformable mirror elements (30) having an L-shaped cross section. Each of the deformable mirror elements is comprised of a pedestal (32) and an elongated ribbon (33). Each of the ribbons has a reflective surface (35). A beam of light is directed on the deformable mirror elements. The deformable mirror elements is flexed about an axis parallel to a long dimension of the ribbons to vary a curvature of at least one of the reflective ribbons.

Abstract: A system for modulating light using a micro-electro-mechanical structure includes a plurality of deformable mirror elements (30) having an L-shaped cross section. Each of the deformable mirror elements is comprised of a pedestal (32) and an elongated ribbon (33). Each of the ribbons has a reflective surface (35). A beam of light is directed on the deformable mirror elements. The deformable mirror elements is flexed about an axis parallel to a long dimension of the ribbons to vary a curvature of at least one of the reflective ribbons.

Abstract: A system for modulating light using a micro-electro-mechanical structure includes a plurality of deformable mirror elements (30) having an L-shaped cross section. Each of the deformable mirror elements are comprised of a pedestal (32) and an elongated ribbon (33). Each of the ribbons has a reflective surface (35). A beam of light is directed on the deformable mirror elements. The deformable mirror elements is flexed about an axis parallel to a long dimension of the ribbons to vary a curvature of at least one of the reflective ribbons.

Abstract: A method for modulating light using a micro-electro-mechanical structure includes providing a plurality of deformable mirror elements (30) having an L-shaped cross section. Each of the deformable mirror elements are comprised of a pedestal (32) and an elongated ribbon (33). Each of the ribbons has a reflective surface (35). A beam of light is directed on the deformable mirror elements. The deformable mirror elements is flexed about an axis parallel to a long dimension of the ribbons to vary a curvature of at least one of the reflective ribbons.

Abstract: A method of producing Lenticular images and a system for carrying out the method, in which photosensitive material is placed in contact with a Lenticular sheet and exposed through the Lenticular sheet lenses. An additional lens-array is placed between the optical imaging system and the Lenticular sheet, with lenses having power only in one direction.

Abstract: An optical imaging heads that produce a plurality of light spots on light sensitive media such as photographic film or printing plate. The optical head incorporates an array of multi-mode laser diodes as a light source, a Micro Light-Pipe Array (MLPA) as a beam-shaping element, means for reducing the divergence of the laser diode beam in the fast axis direction and means for imaging the laser diode emitters on a surface close to the micro light-pipe entrance aperture.

Abstract: A method of producing Lenticular images and a system for carrying out the method, in which photosensitive material is placed in contact with a Lenticular sheet and exposed through the Lenticular sheet lenses. An additional lens-array is placed between the optical imaging system and the Lenticular sheet, with lenses having power only in one direction.

Abstract: An optical imaging heads that produce a plurality of light spots on light sensitive medium such as photographic film or printing plate. The optical head incorporates an array of multi-mode laser diodes optically coupled to multi-mode optical fibers, an array of micromachined supports for the optical fibers, an array of micromachined light-pipes (MLPs) aligned with the supports and with the optical fibers and means for imaging the exit aperture of each of the micromachined light-pipes on a photosensitive medium.

Abstract: An optical head comprising an array of laser diodes (LDA) where each member of the LDA having a fast axis direction and a slow axis direction of beam divergence, a spatial light modulator (SLM), an imaging lens, and a Micro-Scramblers array (MSA) where each member of the MSA has exit apertures and each member of the MSA is associated with a member of the LDA for scrambling the light only in the direction of the slow axis of the member of the LDA. The optical head can be incorporated into an external-drum electro-optical plotter or a flat bed electro-optical plotter.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for increasing the redundancy of IALDA-based imaging devices and for increasing their serviceability. The functioning emitters are coupled to an array of optical fibers, leaving some of the functioning emitters as spare. The second ends of the optical fibers are arranged in an equidistance array, optionally passing through multi-fiber connectors or through an optical switchboard.

Abstract: A light valve of deformable grating type and a method for light modulation using the light valves is provided. The light valve of deformable grating type, includes at least three beams, one beam of the at least three beams being of a substantially fixed-position, and at least two beams of the at least three beams being deformable by electrostatic force in a substantially staircase structure, each step of the staircase creating a predefined change in the phase of an impinging light beam, a first electrode and a second electrode, the electrodes transmitting electrostatic force to at least the deformable beams of the at least three beams. The beam of a substantially fixed-position may be deformable by electrostatic force.

Abstract: An optical head comprising an array of laser diodes (LDA) where each member of the LDA having a fast axis direction and a slow axis direction of beam divergence, a spatial light modulator (SLM), an imaging lens, and a Micro-Scramblers array (MSA) where each member of the MSA has exit apertures and each member of the MSA is associated with a member of the LDA for scrambling the light only in the direction of the slow axis of the member of the LDA. The optical head can be incorporated into an external-drum electro-optical plotter or a flat bed electro-optical plotter.

Abstract: Internal drum recording apparatus provided with a rotating deflecting element, comprising two (or more) beams of different wavelenghts, which are simultaneously operatable, and optical elements for bringing the two or more beams to a common optical path before they reach the rotating deflecting element. The deflecting element may have dispersing properties such that beams of different wavelengths will leave it at slightly different angles. The beams of different wavelengths may be generated by laser diodes or tunable laser diodes. The apparatus may further comprise a beam combiner to combine the beams generated by the light sources.

Abstract: A printing device including a laser for generating at least one laser beam, a controller, a print head having a plurality of orifices, and an ink supply for supplying ink to the print head. The controller modulates the at least one modulated laser beam according to image data to be printed. The at least one modulated laser beam selectively generates a directional acoustic wave within the print head, thereby inducing an ink droplet to exit a selected one of the orifices onto a printing substrate. A print head including a single buffer chamber, a body, and a single ink chamber. The buffer chamber stores a buffer liquid therein with the body forming one wall of that chamber. The ink chamber shares the body as a wall. The ink chamber stores ink therein and has a plurality of orifices on a wall opposite to the body.

Abstract: A beam polarizer device for splitting an unpolarized beam of incident radiation into first and second beams of different polarizations. The beam polarizer comprises a birefringent cell interposed between a pair of parallel sides of first and second prisms made of an optically transparent material. The birefringent cell is formed of an oriented organic material having a desired orientation of its optical axis relative to the sides of the prisms enclosing the birefringent cell therebetween. The organic material has substantially different refraction indices n1 and n2 for light components of, respectively, two different orientations of electric fields relative to the direction of propagation of a beam impinging onto the birefringent cell while propagating inside the first prism. The optically transparent material has a refraction index n3 which is substantially equal to the greatest one between the refraction indices n1 and n2.

Abstract: A light valve of deformable graftg tye and a metahod for light modulation using the light valves is provided. The light valve of deforable rating tpe, includes at least three beams, one beam of the at least tFee beams being of a substantially fixed-position, and at least two beams of tle at least three beams being deformable by electrostatic force in a substantially staircase structure, each step of the staicase creating a predefinied change in the phase of an Aching light beam, a first electrode and a second electrode, the electrodes ttansmitting electrostatic force to at least the deformiable beams of the at least three beams.

Abstract: A linear light valve array including individually addressable diffractive optical elements, the diffractive optical elements having planes of diffraction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the array.