Abstract: A color laser printing apparatus that incorporates the use of fiber optics and a flexible beam-combining device to combine two or more lasers having different wavelengths that correspond to the photosensitivities of the image-receiving media. Use of fiber optics on a flexible beam-combining device allows high flexibility in the placement of components associated with a color laser printing apparatus and making the system easier to align. Because the components of the system no longer require placement in close proximity to one another, certain aspects of the system can be made more compact and any adverse effects of heat generation of the components, such as the lasers, can be greatly reduced.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for forming a laser-induced thermal dye transfer image. A slide for brings a dye donor and dye receiver into dye transferring proximity, and a laser emits a beam of light toward the donor to image-wise transfer dye to the receiver. The slide, along with the donor therein, is tilted to eliminate intensity noise in the laser caused by light reflecting from the slide and donor back to the laser. By tilting the slide, specular reflections from the dye donor do not intercept optical path and do not propagate along the optical path.