Abstract: An imaging device includes an image carrier; and an array of ultra-small light-emitting resonant structures constructed and adapted to emit light onto the image carrier, at least one of said ultra-small light-emitting structures emitting light in response to exposure to a beam of charged particles. The image carrier may be a drum. One or more imaging devices may be incorporated in a copying machine; a printer; or facsimile machine.

Abstract: The white vector—the voltage difference between white areas of a latent image on a photoconductive unit and a developer roller—may be independently adjusted at each photoconductive unit, allowing multiple image forming units to be driven from a shared power supply. The photoconductive unit is charged to a high voltage level relative to the developer roller, and selectively optically discharged to the desired white vector by a first laser source. The voltage of the discharged area may be measured, or may be calculated by increasing the developer roller voltage a predetermined amount, discharging the photoconductive unit until toner is sensed in white image areas, and then reducing the developer roller voltage. The white areas are discharged using a different light source, such as a laser, LED or electroluminescent source. A second laser may be of a different wavelength than a writing laser.

Abstract: Disclosed are an apparatus, optical scanning device, and a corresponding method of forming images on a photosensitive surface. The apparatus includes a laser raster output scanner (ROS) including laser emitters arranged to simultaneously scan a plurality of laser beams across a single scan line of the photosensitive surface in response to received image data corresponding to pixels in an image to be reproduced, and a controller individually controlling each of the laser emitters to selectively apply one of a plurality of power levels to each of the laser beams based on the image data for each of the pixels, wherein a total power applied by the laser beams for each pixel is determined by a sum of the power levels applied by each of the laser beams.

Abstract: A light-emitting head of a printing apparatus includes luminescent elements on a substrate. Each of the luminescent elements includes micro-light-emitting portions. A direction of a perpendicular bisector of a straight line joining centers of each micro-light-emitting portion of each luminescent element and another micro-light-emitting portion of the same luminescent element which is nearest to the each micro-light-emitting portion is off a luminescent element adjacent to the luminescent element.

Abstract: A method for forming a pixel (20) having a predetermined density onto a sensitized recording medium moving in a length direction energizes a pixel exposure source (14) to begin exposure at the leading edge (34) of a pixel (20) and for a first predetermined time interval. The pixel exposure source (14) is de-energized for a period depending on the predetermined density and on media transport speed, then re-energized at the termination of the period. The pixel exposure source (14) is then de-energized at the end of a second predetermined time interval to terminate exposure at the trailing edge (36) of the pixel (20), whereby spatial dimensions of each pixel (20) are maintained at variable transport speed or density of pixel (20).

Abstract: A multi-beam image forming apparatus is disclosed in which a semiconductor laser array including plural semiconductor laser elements serves as an optical beam generation unit. The apparatus includes a printing ratio counting unit that counts printing ratios of the semiconductor laser elements in plural printing areas divided in a scanning direction based on image data transmitted from a host unit; and a light amount control unit that controls emission light amounts of the semiconductor laser elements based on a result from the printing ratio counting unit. The light amount control unit calculates droop correction values corresponding to the printing areas from the printing ratios of the semiconductor laser elements based on the printing ratios in the printing areas counted by the printing ratio counting unit so as to correct the light amounts of the semiconductor laser elements.

Abstract: A lithographic scanning apparatus includes a light projection device for seamlessly and uniformly projecting a scanning light onto a light exposing area. The light projecting device further includes an array of micromirrors having a predefined distribution pattern of reflectance variations for reflecting an incident light onto the light exposing area to seamlessly and uniformly scanning a reflecting light over the light exposing area. In one of a lithographic scanning apparatus, the micromirrors of the micromirror array are coated with a reflective coating of different reflectance to provide the predefined distribution pattern of reflectance variations. In another lithographic scanning apparatus, the micromirrors of the micromirror array are coated with stripes of reduced reflectance whereby each micromirror may have predefined total reflectance to provide the predefined distribution pattern of reflectance variations.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for holding optical lenses (20) provided herein generally includes a holding member (100) and a cover member (200) coupling with the holding member. The holding member comprises a plurality of first through holes (110). Each of the plurality of the first through holes comprises a first portion (101) for receiving an optical lens (20) therein and a second portion (102) communicating with the first portion. A minimum breadth of the first portion is greater than a minimum breadth of the second portion. The cover member comprises a plurality of second through holes (201) corresponding to the first through holes of the holding member. The second through holes communicate with their corresponding first portions of the first through holes. A breadth of the second through holes is less than that of the first portions of the first through holes of the holding member.

Abstract: An improved laser display apparatus is disclosed, which comprises a LED device array in which a plurality of laser diode devices are arranged in a straight shape for thereby scanning a laser diode in accordance with an image signal inputted, with the laser diode devices being designed to generate laser light; a collimation lens which is provided at one side of the LED device array for collimating each laser light scanned from the laser diode devices in parallel in one direction; a condensing unit which is provided at one side of the collimation lens for collimating each laser light, which is collimated in one direction by the collimation lens, through one imaginary focus; and a scanning unit which reflects laser light which transmits through the condensing unit.

Abstract: The image forming apparatus comprises: a first photosensitive drum; a second photosensitive drum; deflective scanning means for deflecting a laser beam and scanning by rotation; first laser irradiation means including a plurality of light emitting sources of laser beam for irradiating the first photosensitive drum, to irradiate the deflective scanning means with the laser; second laser irradiation means including a plurality of light emitting sources of laser for irradiating the second photosensitive drum, to irradiate the deflective scanning means with the laser beams; supporting means for supporting the first laser irradiation means and the second laser irradiation means; and a rotation supporting member for rotationally moving the first laser irradiation means, the second laser irradiation means and the supporting means integrally with respect to an axis generally parallel to the emanating axis of the laser beam to be emitted from the first laser irradiation means.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus utilizing a light-emitting diode (LED). The image forming apparatus includes: an LED head including an LED array that has a plurality of dots, in which a resolution a (dpi) of the LED array and a resolution b (dpi) in a main scanning direction at an image data exposure satisfy a relation: a>b (a being an integral multiple of b); and a lighting control unit that performs a lighting control for the LED head such that main dots used for an exposure are turned on in every {(a/b)?1} dots.

Abstract: A multi-beam image forming apparatus includes a beam generating unit 101, an optical scanner 102, an image processing unit 103 for dividing image data into several areas in a primary scanning direction, and image writing units 106 and 107 for writing an image while switching multiple laser beams in accordance with each of the areas in the primary scanning direction in a printing region based on the divided image data, wherein the image processing unit 103 judges continuity of the image data when dividing the image data, so that the image processing unit 103 divides the image data at an image data portion having continuity and transmits the divided image data to the image writing units 106 and 107. The multi-beam image forming apparatus is provided as an apparatus in which scan positions can be aligned accurately both in the primary scanning direction and the secondary scanning direction and which is suitable for wide printing.

Abstract: A plurality of photo emitters are arrayed on a transparent substrate in a first direction to form at least one photo emitter array. An electrode is provided on the substrate and electrically connected to the photo emitters in common. A dimension of the electrode in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction is smaller than a dimension of the substrate in the second direction.

Abstract: A video controller includes a video block that connects to the print control engine and one laser driver. The video block includes a direct memory access (DMA) block, a video processor, a waveform generator including pattern and multiple pulse mode modulation, a frequency synthesizer, configuration registers, and a data bus. The frequency synthesizer connects to the waveform generator. The configuration registers connect to the DMA block, video processor and the waveform generator. The data bus, operative to carry bus control signals, connects the DMA block, video processor, waveform generator, and the configuration registers.

Abstract: An optical scanning unit, includes a light source having a plurality of light emitting sources, a vibration mirror part configured to reciprocatingly scan a light beam emitted from the light source where a torsion bar is a rotational axis, and a recording control part configured to output image information for modulating the light emitting source as corresponding to a scan operation of the vibrating mirror part. Image information corresponding to one line to be recorded is shared by the light sources so that image recording is implemented.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus forms an image by laser beams from a plurality of lasers. The image forming apparatus includes a light amount control circuit that detects displacement in a sub-scanning direction of the main scanning line of a laser beam from the predetermined laser, from a reference position. The apparatus decides an allotted amount of light for each of the plurality of lasers in accordance with the detected displacement and controls to drive each of the plurality of lasers in accordance with the decided allotted amount of light for each laser.

Abstract: An optical scan apparatus which deflects a plurality of light beams to scan a write region on a scan surface in a main scan direction is configured to include a light source which has a plurality of emission portions emitting the plurality of light beams arranged two-dimensionally on a plane in parallel to the main scan direction and a sub scan direction perpendicular to the main scan direction; a deflector which deflects the plurality of light beams from the plurality of emission portions; a light receiving element which receives the light beams and outputs a synchronous detection signal in accordance with the received light beams; and a control unit which selectively controls any one of the emission portions to emit a light beam upon each scanning and allows the light beam from the selected emission portion to be incident on the light receiving element via the deflector.

Abstract: Apparatus comprising a two-dimensional array of light sources (40) and a scanning device (26) arranged to scan light (14) emitted from the light sources (40) onto a medium (10) to generate a plurality of scan lines (52) on the medium (10), the light sources (24 and scanning device (26) being arranged such that a plurality of light sources (24) can be used to generate each scan line (52) of the plurality of scan lines (52).

Abstract: An image forming apparatus having a photosensitive drum and a developing roller for coating a developer on the photosensitive drum. The image forming apparatus includes a plurality of light scanning units. Each of the light scanning units scans a light on the photosensitive drum to sharingly form an electrostatic latent image thereon. A selective input unit is provided to select between a normal mode and a saving mode. A controller controls, in the saving mode, a relatively less number of the light scanning units to scan the light on the photosensitive drum, as compared with in the normal mode. Thus, the developer can be saved in a simple and effective way.

Abstract: An optical recording apparatus includes a plurality of laser modules, an optical fiber array unit, a photosensitive member, and an optical system. Each laser module includes a light source and an optical fiber. The optical fiber array unit bundles a plurality of optical fibers to form an optical fiber array. The photosensitive member has a photosensitive surface. The optical system scans laser beams outputted from the array of the optical fiber array in a first direction on the photosensitive surface, the laser beams forming dots aligned in a second direction to form an angle with respect to the first direction.

Abstract: A first optical scanning device for scanning image data of colors (yellow, magenta, cyan and black) which serve as the basic for formation of color image employs an optical system having optical characteristic stable to changes in temperature in common, the optical system being incorporated in a single optical box. Inexpensive resin material is employed for its lens in a second optical scanning device for scanning image data of pale color or a special color having a large tolerance amount to color deviation or spot diameter. Further, an inexpensive second optical scanning device saving space is formed by reducing the optical path length.

Abstract: A multi-beam image forming apparatus includes: first and second semiconductor laser arrays each having n laser elements; a multi-beam generation unit that generates 2n laser beams by synthesizing laser beams generated by the first and second semiconductor laser arrays; a beam detection unit that generates synchronous detection signals to obtain synchronous scanning of the respective laser beams; and a control unit. The beam detection unit includes first and second beam detection units disposed substantially at a same position in a main scanning direction and adjacently disposed in a sub-scanning direction. The n laser beams of the first and second semiconductor laser arrays are detected by the first and second beam detection unit, respectively. The control unit controls image formation start positions of the 2n laser beams on the basis of the synchronous detection signals output from the first and the second beam detection units.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for creating a pattern on a workpiece sensitive to electromagnetic radiation. Electromagnetic radiation is emitted onto a computer controlled reticle having a multitude of modulating elements (pixels). The pixels are arranged in said computer controlled reticle according to a digital description. An image of said computer controlled reticle is created on said workpiece, wherein said pixels in said computer controlled reticle are arranged in alternate states along at least a part of one feature edge in order to create a smaller address grid. The invention also relates to an apparatus for creating a pattern on a workpiece. The invention also relates to a semiconducting wafer and a mask.

Abstract: A supply chain monitoring system having a laser-based image system usable within an object processing facility to form images in objects, a reader operable to read the images on the objects, and an object tracking system coupled to the reader over a data network. The laser-based image system includes an image forming device operable to form an array of laser-treated regions in the objects in single shot events, where the arrays of laser-treated regions are associated with images.

Abstract: An image recording method of recording an image onto an image recording surface by dot patterns by scanning a recording head having recording element units arranged in a direction intersecting a scanning direction, the recording element units having a light source and an optical system which receives light from the light source, forms light beams which are arranged two-dimensionally, and focuses the light beams on the image recording surface. The method includes: measuring displacement amounts of positions of light beam spots on the image recording surface generated due to a change in optical magnification of the optical system; changing a light-emitting timing at a time of start of scanning in the scanning direction, on the basis of a displacement amount in the scanning direction; and changing a resolution in the direction intersecting the scanning direction, on the basis of a displacement amount in the direction intersecting the scanning direction.

Abstract: A printer has a laser emitter for emitting a laser beam to irradiate a surface of a photosensitive member; a reflector, disposed at a position on a laser beam path defined by the laser emitter and the photosensitive member, for reflecting the laser beam emitted by the laser emitter to direct the reflected laser beam to a target position on the surface of the photosensitive member; a reflective mirror driver for reciprocating the reflector in such a manner that the laser beam travels along a scanning line on the surface of the photosensitive member in a direction for scanning; and an emission controller for controlling the laser emitter to selectively emit the laser beam along the scanning line in the forward direction or the backward direction defined by the movement of the reflector driven by the reflective mirror driver.

Abstract: An optical print head includes a plurality of lasers having laser emissions within a desired wavelength range, a beam splitter and/or a multi-mode optical fiber adapted to receive combined output light from the plurality of lasers and to direct their combined output light in a first beam direction. A holographic or hybrid holographic optical element is adapted to focus the combined output light within the desired wavelength range into a spot with non-Gaussian irradiance on the medium for recording. A sensor may be disposed along a second beam direction to detect modulated light from the medium.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus include aligning printing of a bi-directionally scanning electrophotographic (EP) device, such as a laser printer or copy machine. At least first and second scan lines formed in opposite directions define a calibration page for manufacturing, servicing or end-user operation. The page includes pluralities of objects with one formed from either the first or second scan lines, but not both, and another of the objects formed from the other of the first or second scan lines, but not both. In this manner, corrections can be implemented by simply observing misalignments between the objects. Printed calibration pages also include visually or mechanically read objects for implementing corrections. In this regard, calibrating devices external to the EP device are contemplated. Objects include lines, squares or other shapes and their arrangement on a page varies. Fiducials for macro-scale observations are also contemplated.

Abstract: An image-drawing device, which carries out image-drawing on the basis of image-drawing data, has image-drawing heads which are moved relatively in a predetermined scanning direction along an image-drawing surface. The image-drawing heads have a large number of image-drawing elements lined-up two-dimensionally within a plane which is parallel to the image-drawing surface. The straight lines along which the plural image-drawing elements are lined-up are inclined, with respect to the scanning direction, at a predetermined inclination angle such that an image-drawing magnification has an effective value after a decimal point. A data allocating unit allocates the image-drawing data to the respective image-drawing elements at predetermined timings corresponding to a resolution determined in accordance with the image-drawing magnification.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for calibrating a beam array of a printer. The method includes the operation of printing a dot pattern using the beam array of the printer. The dot pattern can then be scanned into an electronic file using an optical scanner. Another operation is calculating distance calibration errors found in the dot pattern in the electronic file using a software module applied to the electronic file.

Abstract: Unevenness of light quantity caused by angle dependence of transmittance is decreased, and a light beam is shaped. Therefore, a light source 3 which emits the polarized light beam having a long shape and an aperture 10 which narrows the light beam emitted from the light source 3 are provided. An opening 10a of the aperture 10 is formed in a long hole shape. A line of apsides direction of the opening 10a of the aperture 10 is set to a minor axis direction of the light beam from the light source 3, and the line of apsides direction of the opening 10a of the aperture 10 is formed so as to extend to an outside of the area defined by 1/e2 for the peak intensity of the laser beam. Polarized directions of the light beams emitted from the light sources 3 are arranged so as to have a symmetric relation or a substantially symmetric relation with respect to a straight line extending toward a sub-scanning direction.

Abstract: An optical writing system with at least two laser diodes capable of correcting hue deviations. The optical writing system is capable of correcting dot forming positions in the main scanning direction, and setting values for correction through an external key operation unit stored in a phase shift amount register by way of a CPU included in a main controller, and by applying values for arbitrarily shifting picture element clock phases for respective laser diodes. Thus, frequency fluctuations and characteristic changes in the laser diodes over time are compensated, positional precision with respect to a synchronization point is assured for respective laser diodes, picture images at the terminating edge in the main scanning direction is stabilized, and subtle hue variations can be reduced in half tone image portions during repeated full color image formations.

Abstract: A scanner element includes a frame part formed by a substrate, a movable plate formed inside the frame part and a torsion bar swingably supporting the movable plate on the frame part. One of the movable plate and the torsion bar has an adjusting part formed by a process of forming the movable plate and the torsion bar so that a ratio of an actual value of a moment of inertia I+?I of the movable plate to an actual value of a spring constant K+?K of the torsion bar is substantially equal to a ratio of a design value of the moment of inertia I of the movable plate to a design value of the spring constant K of the torsion bar.

Abstract: A beam scanner is operable to scan light in two or more axes, typically in a raster pattern that includes a fast scan axis and a slow scan axis. Plural beams of light are scanned, each beam of light producing a scanned region that at least partially overlaps at least one adjoining scanned region. Scanned regions may be aligned to adjoin and overlap along a dimension corresponding to the slow scan axis. The beam scanner may comprise a scanned beam display and/or a scanned beam image capture device. In a display, the power level of overlapping displayed pixels may be scaled to provide smooth transitions between adjoining regions to improve the image quality presented to a viewer. In an image capture device, one or more detectors is operable to collect light scattered from adjoining regions and a controller is operable to produce an image from the scanned regions.

Abstract: An optical scanning apparatus includes a plurality of light sources capable of emitting light. A detection unit detects a light quantity of the light emitted from the plurality of light sources. A control unit controls drive current of a light source designated as a control object based on a detection result obtained by the detection unit. The control unit controls the drive current based on an activation state of the light source designated as the control object and an activation state of a light source other than the control object.

Abstract: Two objective lenses are attached to a common holder. The holder is driven by an objective lens actuator, which integrally drives the two objective lenses. At this point, the objective lens (first objective lens) having a smaller diameter is arranged on a disk inner circumference side. In labeling, a reference pattern located at an inner circumference position is irradiated with a laser beam through the inner circumference-side first objective lens to obtain a gain which is used to finely move an objective lens actuator in a disk radial direction. The disk is irradiated with the laser beam through the second objective lens to generate an image in a disk surface while the objective lens actuator is driven with the gain.

Abstract: A recording apparatus for recording information in a thermosensitive medium which has a photothermal conversion layer having a light wavelength absorption property and a coloring layer colored by the heat generated by the photothermal conversion layer comprises a first light source that emits a light beam for writing information to a scanning position in a main scanning direction in the thermosensitive medium, and a second light source that emits a light of lower energy density than the light beam emitted by the first light source to the scanning position in the main scanning direction in the thermosensitive medium or to the vicinity thereof. The first light source and the second light source emit lights having wavelengths within the range of the absorption property of the photothermal conversion layer respectively to form recording dots of one line in the main scanning direction in a noncontact manner with the thermosensitive medium.

Abstract: A light beam scanner irradiates surfaces of respective of different image carriers with respective of plural light beams having been subjected to constant angular velocity deflection by a deflecting member and constant velocity deflection by a transformation member. Any one of the plural light beams except a light beam incident on the deflecting member at a widest incident angle corresponds with an image formed of a color material which is lowest in lightness.

Abstract: An optical multi-beam scanning device has a plurality of pre-deflection optical units, an optical path synthesizing member and an excessive light processing member. The excessive light processing member processes excessive light emitted from an excessive light emitting surface with is not an incident surface nor an emitting surface of the optical path synthesizing member. The excessive light processing member has a multi-stage taper constitution with a plurality of taper surfaces having different tilt angles.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus includes a scanning part for recording a plurality of unit images individually on a plurality of recording media, the plurality of unit images being to be superimposed on each other to form a single objective image. The scanning part causes the plurality of unit images to be in different positions. Defects appear in different positions of the plurality of unit images, and are prevented from coinciding with each other in the objective image.

Abstract: An electrophotographic device comprises a printhead having at least one laser associated with a corresponding photoconductive surface. Where multiple laser beams are associated with the same photoconductive surface, the laser beams are spaced a predetermined distance from one another in a process direction, which is orthogonal to a scan direction in which the laser beams are swept. The electrophotographic device operates at one of at least two image transfer rates. A controller in the electrophotographic device selectively directs image data to the printhead based, at least in part, upon the selected image transfer rate, the facet resolution, and/or the desired output image resolution. The print speed can thus be adjusted over a relatively wide range.

Abstract: A light-source holding member that holds semiconductor lasers along the sub-scanning direction is fixed to an attachment member at two points with first and second screws. An elastic member is interposed between the light-source holding member and the attachment member to urge the second screw upwards. The light-source holding member can be tilted with respect to the sub-scanning direction depending on the fastening force of the second screw. By adjusting the fastening force of the second screw, angles of light beams emitted from the semiconductor lasers are adjustable.

Abstract: Provided is a multi-beam optical scanning apparatus, which is capable of reducing an inter-light-beams illuminance difference at the same image height on a surface to be scanned and forming a high-definition and high-quality image where no unevenness in density of image exists, and an image forming apparatus using the multi-beam optical scanning apparatus.

Abstract: Images are transferred to printing plates by illuminating light-responsive materials with patterns corresponding to the images to be printed. The present invention provides for the transferring of an image by the combined flux from two or more beams of light. Particular embodiments ablate the mask printing plates for CTP systems by the combined illumination from a first, broad beam and a plurality of controllable, pulsed beams that co-illuminate the plate with the first beam. The resulting system and method is less expensive than the prior art and produces a printing plate more efficiently and with improved productivity than the prior art.

Abstract: An optical scanning apparatus and a color image forming apparatus using the same, in which streak-shaped density unevenness is reduced to prevent image deterioration: each of scanning surfaces is simultaneously scanned with light beams emitted from light source units and scanning lines are simultaneously drawn on the scanning surfaces; the light beams emitted from at least four light emitting portions of the corresponding light source unit are simultaneously deflected for scanning by a deflecting unit; and image data corresponding to a first scanning line, i.e. a scanning line located on an uppermost stream side in a direction in which the scanning surfaces move among scanning lines, on at least one of the scanning surfaces in a k-th scanning by the deflecting unit is displaced by at least one line space from image data corresponding to a first scanning line on another scanning surface in the k-th scanning.

Abstract: The inventive image recording apparatus records unit images with different combinations of light beams among a plurality of light beams emissive from a recording head when preparing the respective ones of C, M, Y and K plates. Also when the plurality of light beams are dispersed in quantity of light, therefore, density distributions of different tendencies result in the unit images recorded on the respective ones of the C, M, Y and K plates. In a resultant image formed by superposing the unit images with each other, therefore, fluctuation of densities can be canceled and reduced.

Abstract: An image signal with an overshoot is generated on a positive-going edge of an input image signal with an overshoot producing unit. Then, a light signal with an overshoot is outputted from a recording light source in response to the image signal with the overshoot supplied from the overshoot producing unit. The light signal outputted from the recording light source is applied to scan a photosensitive medium to record an area gradation image on the photosensitive medium.

Abstract: A scanning optical apparatus having stable optical performance even if the characteristic of a vertical cavity surface emitting laser is fluctuated due to increase in drive current, and an image forming apparatus using the same are provided. The scanning optical apparatus comprises a converting optical system for converting a beam from the light source means having plural emission points into a beam of another state, deflecting means, and an imaging optical system for directing the deflected beam onto a scanning surface, and either pair of conditions is satisfied, 3?Fnos<Fnom?15 and d?s/dT<d?m/dT, or 3?Fnom<Fnos?15 and d?m/dT<d?s/dT, where Fnom and Fnos represent F numbers of the light source means side of the converting optical system in main and sub-scanning directions, ?m and ?s half value angles of far field pattern in the main and sub-scanning directions, and d?m/dT and d?s/dT the fluctuations of ?m and ?s due to temperature change.

Abstract: A method of exposing imaging data onto a sensitized medium including exposing K sets of N of tracks on to the medium according to a corresponding part of imaging data, each successive set being a pixel distance apart in a fast scan direction. The method further includes exposing L sets of N tracks onto the medium with an offset of M pixels in a slow scan direction substantially perpendicular to the fast scan direction, according to a second corresponding part of imaging data. The method includes repeating alternately exposing K sets and L sets of N tracks until the complete medium is exposed along the fast scan direction. During or after the alternately exposing K sets and L sets, there is progression in the slow scan direction such that after exposing the complete length of N tracks of exposed pixels, the next N tracks match along the medium at the start of the next N tracks.

Abstract: An optical exposure method and a device are used for forming patterns on a printed board wiring or semiconductor board. A single exposing region of a surface to be exposed is irradiated with a plurality of optical beams having different irradiating areas and different scanning pitches, such as, a peripheral area is irradiated with an optical beam having a smaller irradiating area and an inner area is irradiated with an optical beam having a larger irradiating area.