Abstract: There are provided a scanning optical device which makes the F-number in the sub scanning direction with respect to a light beam incident on a scanning target surface uniform by an easy, inexpensive method without impairing the environmental performance, and is suitable for high-resolution printing, and an image forming apparatus using the device. This device includes the first optical system which converts the state of a light beam emitted from a light source means, the second optical system which forms the converted light beam into a linear image elongated in the main scanning direction, a deflection element which reflects/deflects an incident light beam in the main scanning direction, and the third optical system which forms the light beam reflected/deflected by the deflection element into an image on the scanning target surface. The third optical system includes an optical element having at least one diffraction surface and at least one optical element having a refraction surface.

Abstract: An optical scanner includes a light source which emits a light beam, a reflection mirror which has a reflection surface, a first axis parallel to a main-scanning direction, and a second axis along the reflection surface and perpendicular to the first axis, and an optical element which adjusts a position of a scanning line in a sub-scanning direction, the optical element having a beam-incidence surface, a third axis parallel to the main-scanning direction on the beam-incidence surface, and a fourth axis perpendicular to the third axis and along a beam-incidence direction. A first adjustment unit is provided to rotate the reflection mirror around the second axis in order to attain uniformity of a scanning speed. A second adjustment unit is provided to rotate the optical element around the fourth axis in order to correct an inclination of the scanning line to a desired position of the scanning line.

Abstract: A scanning system uses a multi-beam brush having a widely separated beams, a modulator that controls intensity of pixels in scan beams, an optical system that minimizes scan line bow at the expense of non-uniform scanning beam velocity, and a timing generator that generates a pixel clock signal having a variable period that compensates for the non-uniformity of pixel velocity. The wide separation of scan beams permits the modulator to turn beams on or off with a direction of brightening or darkening in the cross-section of the beams being opposite to the scanning direction. A novel arrangement of the beams in the brush permits a uniform indexing step size to uniformly expose an image region.

Abstract: An optical printer device which includes an exposure device which makes relative movements, in a predetermined direction, with respect to a photosensitive body. The optical printer also has a plurality of first, second and third light-emitting elements which emit lights of a first, second and third colors. These light-emitting elements are mounted on a first, second and third mounting substrates, independent of one another, which correspond to the first, second and third colors.

Abstract: This invention relates to a focal position adjusting apparatus having a lens which converges an electromagnetic wave to a focal position; first electrodes fixed to the lens; second electrodes being opposed arranged so as to be spaced apart from each of the electrodes in the optical axis direction of the lens; a power supply which supplies variable voltage which applies voltage to the first electrodes and the second electrodes and a biasing unit which biases the lens in a direction using an attractive force caused by static electricity between each of the first and second electrodes and the opposed electrodes caused by the application of a voltage.

Abstract: An optical printer records a color image by exposing color instant photo film extending two-dimensionally in a main scan direction and a sub scan direction. The optical printer includes a printing head, which includes a white color light-emitting element and a color separation filter unit. The color separation filter unit is disposed in a light path of white-color light from the light-emitting element, for color separation of the white-color light. The color separation filter unit has a tubular shape, has a central axis extending substantially parallel with the main scan direction, and is rotatable about the central axis. The white-color light travels through an entrance position along the light path into the color separation filter unit, out of which the light travels through an exit position along the light path.

Abstract: A reflection case is attached to respective LEDs of an exposure head. An inner wall of the reflection case is formed with a first low-reflection area (reflectance is 0.1), a high-reflection area (reflectance is 0.9), and a second low-reflection area (reflectance is 0.1). These reflection areas are formed in an optical-axis direction from a side of the LED. The reflection case is disposed such that a middle point between the LED and a photosensitive surface of an instant film is positioned within the high-reflection area. The light emitted from the LED is reflected on the inner wall of the reflection case to be applied to the photosensitive surface of the instant film without dispersion. Owing to this, the effective exposure head may be produced.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and a method for microlithographic writing and inspection on photosensitive substrates, and specially printing and inspection of patterns with extremely high precision, such as photomasks for semiconductor device patterns, display panels, integrated optical, devices and electronic interconnect structures. More specifically the invention relates to compensation of substrate offset by modifying the position data or the feeding of the same of the deflector, and the use of a direct digital synthesis (DDS) unit for generation of the sweep frequency drive signal.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a scanning optical apparatus that is capable of suppressing, to a minute amount, scanning line bending caused by rotational decentration of a single lens that is a scanning optical system, and to provide an image forming apparatus using the optical scanning apparatus. To achieve the stated object, with the technique of the present invention, a single lens is used as a scanning optical system and the surface shape of the single lens is set so that a direction of scanning line bending in the sub scanning direction occurring when an incident surface of the single lens is rotationally decenter about an axis parallel to the main scanning direction is opposite to a direction of scanning line bending in the sub scanning direction occurring when an exit surface is rotationally decenter about the axis parallel to the main scanning direction.

Abstract: An optical scanning device condenses a beam deflected by a light deflector, by a scanning and imaging lens toward a surface to be scanned to form a beam spot thereon, and scans the surface to be scanned by the beam spot. At least one lens of the scanning and imaging lens is configured so that a lens body thereof is held by a holding frame, wherein a rib surface at an end in a longitudinal direction of the holding frame is inclined so that a ghost light generated as a result of the deflected beam being reflected by the end in the longitudinal direction of the holding frame is changed in light path in a sub-scan direction.

Abstract: A light-scanning optical system having a function of correcting surface tilt comprises a light source 11; a first optical means 1; a light-deflecting means 14 for reflecting and deflecting a luminous flux by its deflecting/reflecting surface 15 so as to scan a surface to be scanned 18; a first lens 16 having a positive refracting power in each of the main scanning and sub-scanning directions, in which each of both sides is made of a toric surface; and a second lens 17 having a small negative refracting power, in which each of both sides is made of an aspheric surface. A semiconductor laser having a wavelength of 500 nm or shorter is used as the light source. The first and second lenses 16, 17 may be made of plastic. Thus, in a simple configuration, the light-scanning optical system can reduce its size and cost, while being able to respond to higher image density.

Abstract: A refractive body includes a lens, holder, and aperture particularly suited for use in raster scanners. The refractive body advantageously can be made from resinous materials, such as plastics, but can be formed from any refractive material as may be appropriate. The aperture is formed from portions of the refractive body surrounding the lens and can act to divert excess light from the optical path of the scanner by refraction or reflection.

Abstract: A device determines the positional deviation of n points (P) from their reference positions using a source of electromagnetic radiation (1), imaging optics (2, 4, 9), and a photosensitive detector (10), which converts the positional information into information on intensity. Simultaneous or concurrent in time n signals are produced by the detector (10), each of the n signals being uniquely assigned to one of the reflection points (P). The generated signals can be used to control an autofocusing device or to control the intensity of light sources in devices for imaging printing forms.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing a printing form which, with little expenditure, permits exact beam alignment and positioning. The apparatus for producing the printing form contains a holder for at least one printing form blank, and at least one imaging module, which can be moved relative to the printing form blank and which contains at least one radiation source which, in order to produce image elements that accept printing ink, is aimed at the surface of the printing form blank and whose beam direction can be adjusted. The imaging module being accommodated in a six-point mounting in three bearing locations, each bearing location containing a spherical element and an associated bearing element and in each case the spherical element rests on it and, in order to adjust the beam direction, at least one element of one bearing location being disposed adjustably.

Abstract: A device for producing a printing form includes a radiation source for emitting at least one imaging beam directed to a material whereon an image is to be set. A device is provided for positioning the radiation source relative to and parallel to a surface of the material. A shutter is to be positioned for shielding between the radiation source and the material when an image is not being set on the material. An element is actionable for positioning the shutter while an image is being set on the material.

Abstract: A multi-beam exposer unit 1 has ∑ i = 1 M ⁢ ( Ni - 1 ) half mirror 11 for synthesizing ∑ i = 1 M ⁢ Ni light to M groups of light beams, M sets of optical members 12, having positive power with a large absolute value as compared with a case of a main scanning direction, for further converging the beam in a sub-scanning direction, a synthesizing reflection mirror 13 for reflecting M groups of beams to be substantially overlaid on each other in a first direction, a polygon mirror unit 5 for deflecting M groups of beams, and a dust prevention glass 14 inclined to a direction opposite to a direction where the half mirror is inclined, thereby reducing influence of coma aberration exerted on M groups of beams by the half mirror.

Abstract: A color laser printer producing a color image using a single laser scanning unit includes a lighting unit including first and second laser diodes emitting beams of one polarization, a polarization prism transmitting or reflecting incident beams depending on a direction of polarization, and third and fourth laser diodes disposed in a different direction from the first and second laser diodes with respect to the polarization prism, a rotary polygon mirror that reflects the beam emitted along the same path from the lighting unit, an f-&thgr; lens that focuses the beam reflected by the rotary polygon mirror, first and second polarization beam splitters, each of which transmits or reflects the beam passing through the f-&thgr; lens depending on the direction of the polarization, and first through fourth photoconductive units on which the beams reflected and transmitted through the first and second polarization beam splitters are incident.

Abstract: The optical scanning device includes a deflector 22 for deflecting plural laser beams in batch, first and second f&thgr; lenses 24, 25 for converting the laser beams from the deflector 22 into uniform speed linear motion, reflection mirrors 23a to 23g for reflecting the laser beams from the first and second f&thgr; lenses 24, 25, photoreceptor drums 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d on which latent images are formed by laser beams, and third f&thgr; lenses 26a to 26d for focusing the laser beams reflected by the reflection mirrors 23a to 23g and guiding onto the photoreceptor drums 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d. The laser beam 9a reflected by the reflection mirror 23 remotest from the deflector 23 is the laser beam for forming a yellow image.

Abstract: A light beam scanning apparatus controls a scan position for a light beam with a first light volume so that output from a sensor is adjusted to a target value. Further, the light beam scanning apparatus controls a scan position for the light beam with a second light volume so that output from the sensor is adjusted to the target value.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a scanning optical apparatus that has a light source emitting a light beam deflecting and scanning device for deflecting and scanning the light beam emitted from the light source, a frame body provided with a side wall and containing the light source and the deflecting and scanning device therein, and a supporting member for supporting the frame body, the frame body having a fixed portion fixed to and supported by the supporting member, and an overhanging portion overhanging from the fixed portion, the side wall having a cut-away portion between the fixed portion and the overhanging portion.

Abstract: An apparatus for printing images including an illumination optics (75) that provides uniform area light is disclosed. A polarizing beamsplitter (80) receives the uniform area light and redirects a first polarization state of the light to a first reflective LCD modulator (90) which modulates the first polarized light on a site by site basis and reflects the first modulator light through the polarizing beamsplitter (80). A parallel plate tilted at a first angle spatially displaces the first modulated light along a first line normal to the polarizing beamsplitter (80). A print lens assembly (110) images the first modulated light to a first position on a media plane to print a first image. The parallel plate is moved to a second position (250) and a new image is printed.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus (10) for forming images on a thermal print media includes: a) a rotatable drum (300); b) a motor for rotating the drum (300); c) at least one movable printhead (500) external to the drum (300); d) thermal print media (32) removably mounted on the drum (300), the printhead (500) being positioned to move over the thermal print media (32) on the drum (300); e) an imaging assembly (400); f) at least one connection means, preferably fiber optic cables (404), for connecting the imaging assembly (400) to the printhead (500); g) at least one conduit tube (510) for conducting the connection means (404) between the imaging assembly and the printhead (500), one end of the conduit tube (510) being affixed to the printhead (500), an opposite end of the conduit tube being connected to the imaging assembly (400); and h) an air moving device, preferably a cooler (710) or blower (730, 740), connecting directly or indirectly to the conduit tube (510) at the opposite end of the conduit tube.

Abstract: A printer includes an LED light source for emitting illuminating light. An LCD panel displays an image, and emits printing light upon being illuminated with the illuminating light. An exposing optical system focuses the printing light on a photosensitive surface of an instant photo film unit. A movable mirror is disposed so that a movable panel lying on its rear constitutes one portion of a printer outer surface. The movable panel is movable between first and second positions, and protrudes from the printer outer surface when set in the first position, for the movable mirror to form a printing light path from the exposing optical system to the instant photo film unit. The movable panel is flush with the printer outer surface when set in the second position, for the movable mirror to prevent forming of the printing light path.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a semiconductor laser array to emit a plurality of laser beams through a plurality of independently controllable laser elements according to an image signal, an imaging optical system to magnify the laser beams emitted from the laser array, and a photosensitive drum having an imaging surface to form an electrostatic latent image by being photo-exposed through the imaging optical system.

Abstract: An optical scanning device which divides an area to be scanned on a surface to be scanned into n (wherein n≧2) partial scanning portions in a longitudinal direction thereof. The scanning device includes n light sources respectively corresponding to the n partial scanning portions and configured to optically scan the n partial scanning portions with respective light fluxes from the n light sources thereby to scan the areas. The optical scanning device includes a deflecting device configured to deflect the light fluxes from the n light sources, and a scan imaging optical device configured to converge the light fluxes deflected by the deflecting device toward the surface to be scanned, so that each of the respective light fluxes forms an optical spot on a corresponding partial scanning portion of the n partial scanning portions.

Abstract: A laser beam irradiating apparatus comprising, a plurality of lasers, member for synthesizing a plurality of laser beams emitted respectively from the plurality of lasers into a single laser beam on a stage, and member for moving the synthesized laser beam on the stage while keeping a specific shape thereof. A semiconductor film can be crystallized or an impurity element doped therein can be activated by irradiating a laser beam to the semiconductor film from the laser beam irradiating apparatus arranged as above. Consequently, it is possible to provide a laser beam irradiating apparatus capable of achieving uniform annealing efficiently by employing an optical system simpler than a conventional one and using laser beams having attenuated regions. Also, it is possible to provide a method of irradiating a laser beam using the laser beam irradiating apparatus, and to provide a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device including the laser beam irradiating method in the fabrication sequence thereof.

Abstract: An optical apparatus uses an array of light-emitting elements (LEDs or ELs) and a focusing optical system. Light emitted from the light-emitting elements of the array is directed to the focusing optical system within narrowed solid angles, thereby raising overall light utilization efficiency, with the help of recesses, each shaped as an inverted conical frustum, centered at respective light-emitting elements, to collect light from the light-emitting elements and deliver it to the focusing system within narrower solid angles, as both direct light and indirect light reflected from the slanting side walls of the recesses. The side walls of the recesses can have a reflecting film to further enhance overall light utilization efficiency. Lenses can be formed integrally with the array, to further help focus the light delivered to the focusing optical system.

Abstract: An optical system and optical scanning apparatus can form a minute beam spot and big size images. The optical scanning apparatus deflects a beam with a polygon mirror, and focuses the beam on a target surface through a f&thgr;-lens, a cylindrical lens, and a cylindrical mirror. The scanning stroke on the target surface is longer than 500 mm, and the incident angle in the sub-scan direction of the incident light into the cylindrical mirror is 15 degrees or less. The ratio of the beam size DX in the sub-scan direction of the incident light into the cylindrical mirror to the distance DL between the cylindrical mirror and the target surface satisfies 0.03<DX/DL<0.06.

Abstract: An optical head 1 of an image recording apparatus 10 is provided with a light-source water-cooling jacket 41 for cooling a light source 11 and a device water-cooling jacket 42 for cooling the Grating Light Valve 12 and a light-shield water-cooling jacket 43. The optical head 10 is also provided with a mirror 31 for reflecting a light form the light source 11 in a non-recording status and mirrors 32, 33 for reflecting non-signal light beams from the light valve 12, and the lights from these mirrors are directed to the light-shield water-cooling jacket 43. Further, a refrigerant from a chiller unit goes through the light-source water-cooling jacket 41, the device water-cooling jacket 42 and the light-shield water-cooling jacket 43 in this order. With this constitution, it is possible to efficiently cool all the heat sources and in the optical head.

Abstract: In a scanning optical system provided with a plurality of scanning optical devices, each scanning optical device including a light source to emit a light beam, a collimator lens into which the light beam emitted from the light source enters, a deflector to deflect the light beam passing through the collimator lens in a main scanning direction, an image forming lens to focus the light beam coming from the deflector onto a scanned surface, and a base plate on which the light source, the collimator lens, the deflector and the image forming lens are fixed, the plurality of scanning optical devices are piled up in a sub-scanning direction perpendicular to the main scanning direction in such a manner that each base plate is substantially parallel to other base plates; and the scanning optical system is further provide with a plurality of link members to connect two neighboring base plates independently of other base plates.

Abstract: An optical printer head capable of providing a distinct image free of color shade and color fading. Dot-like lights different in luminous color emitted from a plurality of fluorescent luminous tubes acting as light sources are guided to a common equi-magnification image formation element through a dichroic optical element while being kept from being aligned or coincident with each other, to thereby carry out image formation on a record medium while being arranged in predetermined positional relationship thereon. Also, optical members may be incorporated in the optical printer head, so that optical path lengths of the dot-like lights different in luminous color may be rendered substantially equal to each other.

Abstract: A laser beam emitted from a semiconductor laser is guided to a sensitive recording medium on a drum by a focusing optical system and an optical anisotropic element. The optical anisotropic element separates the laser beam along its optical axis to produce a laser beam having two focused positions for thereby increasing the depth of focus. With the increased depth of focus, it is possible to record a highly accurate image on the sensitive recording medium even if the sensitive recording medium is displaced because the drum has its outer circumferential surface not concentric with its axis or the sensitive recording medium is lifted off the drum.

Abstract: A scanning optical system includes a light source, an anamorphic optical element, a polygonal mirror, and an imaging optical system that converges the beam(s) on a surface to be scanned. The imaging optical system has a scanning lens, and a compensation lens provided on the surface side for compensating for curvature of field. All the surfaces of the scanning lens are rotationally symmetrical, and the compensation lens has an aspherical surface. A cross section of the aspherical surface in the auxiliary scanning direction is asymmetrical with respect to the optical axis thereof, and a SAG amount defining the aspherical surface is expressed by a two-dimensional polynomial.

Abstract: An illumination system for illuminating a particular surface, to be illuminated, with light from a light source, includes a first optical component having an optical power with respect to a predetermined plane, and a second optical component having an optical power with respect to the predetermined plane, wherein the particular surface is illuminated through Koehler illumination with respect to a plane orthogonal to the predetermined plane and is illuminated approximately through critical illumination with respect to the predetermined plane, wherein the first and second optical components are adapted to provide an afocal system, and wherein the condition for the afocal system is disconnected when a relative position between the first and second optical components is changed, whereby an illumination range with respect to the predetermined plane, upon the particular surface, is changed.

Abstract: A polarization-direction-controlling element comprising a ½ wavelength plate disposed with a crystal optical axis tilted at substantially 45 degrees with respect to a polarization direction of a beam of light separated by a polarization-separating element with a part of a laser beam transmitted, is provided on the optical path of the laser beam, outputted from a plurality of semiconductor lasers, between an outlet for the laser beams at a fiber array and a polarization-separating element for separating the laser beam into two beams of light having mutually orthogonal polarization directions. A polarization-direction-controlling element capable of improving the quality of recorded images in an exposing-recording device using an element with polarization dependency and an exposure device capable of improving the quality of recorded images can also be obtained.

Abstract: In an imaging system and method are disclosed, including a first illumination source for producing a first illumination field, a modulation system for modulating the first illumination field, and an optical imaging system for directing the modulated illumination field to an imaging surface. The optical imaging system includes at least one optical lens for directing the modulated illumination field toward the imaging surface along the optical axis of said optical lens. The at least one optical lens includes a first surface facing the modulation system and a second surface facing the imaging surface. The optical imaging system also includes a second illumination source for producing a second illumination field. The second illumination field has a frequency that is different than the frequency of the first illumination field.

Abstract: A heating element adjusts the curvature of a cylindrical wobble correction mirror to compensate and correct the scan line bow for an optical scanner. A current applied through the heating element along one side of the mirror will cause the mirror to bend vertically for a horizontal beam to adjust the scan line bow for a single beam and approximately equalize the scan line bow for multiple beams.

Abstract: An exposure head is provided in which a deterioration in image quality, due to density non-uniformity or the like, of an image formed by using plural light beams can be suppressed. A microlens array is provided at a light-exiting side of a LED chip which has plural LED elements. The microlens array has microlenses of the same number as a number of LED elements. The microlenses are arranged in an array form at uniform intervals. The microlens array is lenses of an illumination system which, for example, limit spreading of light beams emitted from the LED chip. Light beams of homogeneous configurations and homogeneous profiles are illuminated onto a theoretical object plane at a time of focusing the light beams onto an exposure drum. In this way, the light beams emitted from the LED elements are illuminated with homogeneous configurations and at homogeneous light amount distributions onto illumination regions by the microlenses which function independently.

Abstract: A semiconductor laser for generating a laser beam and an optical pickup for recording/reproducing information using the semiconductor laser as an optical source are provided. The semiconductor laser includes an aperture member on an emitting end thereof to perform high-density memory recording/reproducing through the reduction of an optical spot. The aperture has a hole whose diameter is smaller than the width of the active region of the semiconductor laser, to thereby restrictively emit the laser beam via the hole so that the optical spot formed on an optical disk is reduced. Thus, high-density memory recording/reproducing, which is useful for miniaturized information processors, can be realized.

Abstract: A multi-beam scanner has two light emitting points ch1, ch2 and an optical system. The light emitting points ch1, ch2 are separated by a distance &Dgr;along a depth-of-focus direction. The longitudinal magnification &agr;, or the image-side numerical aperture NA, of the optical system is set so that the surface to be scanned of a photosensitive drum is positioned within a range where the depths of focus de of the light beams from the two light emitting points ch1, ch2 overlap. The multi-beam scanner can focus the light beams onto the surface of the photosensitive drum at all the scanning positions even when the optical system has curvature of field.

Abstract: A rod lens array to be used for an optical printer includes a plurality of rod lenses arranged densely in an array, an opaque substance filled in the gaps separating the plurality of rod lenses, and a pair of side panels sandwiching the plurality of rod lenses and the opaque substance. The rod lens array satisfies the requirement as defined by the formula: S<(Z/L)·(25.4/5P) where P is the resolution of the optical printer expressed in dpi, Z is the length of the rod lenses expressed in mm, L is the conjugate length of the rod lenses expressed in mm, and S is the flatness of the surfaces of the side panels bearing the rod lenses.

Abstract: An optical scanner assembly exposes an image on photosensitive media positioned on the internal surface of a drum platen. The assembly includes: a laser assembly for producing a laser beam representative of the image to be exposed on photosensitive media; a semi-circular flexible lens curved to the shape of the photosensitive media positioned on the internal surface of the drum platen, the lens having a plano-convex cylinder lens having a convex side facing the media; a laser beam scanner positioned between the laser assembly and the lens to scan the laser beam through the lens across the media in an image-wide pattern; and a baffle located between the scanner and the lens for extinguishing laser beam reflections from the convex side of the lens.

Abstract: A recording sheet of a recording material is transported on a conveyer belt to a recording station, and is held to be flat and stationary at the recording station by vacuum suction. A line image projection device projects a line recording light onto the recording sheet along a main scan direction on the basis of image data of each line of an image to print. Synchronously with the projection of the line recording light, projecting position on the recording sheet is shifted perpendicularly to the main scan direction by moving the line image projection device or an optical scanning device. The optical scanning device consists of at least a mirror and a mirror shift mechanism.

Abstract: A laser beam emitted from a laser beam generator is modulated by a laser beam modulator depending on an image to be recorded, and then converted into a linearly polarized light beam having a predetermined direction of polarization by a polarization switcher. The linearly polarized light beam is then converted into a circularly polarized light beam by a quarter-wave plate. The circularly polarized light beam is converted by a quarter-wave plate of a rotatable unit into a linearly polarized light beam, which is applied to a polarization beam splitter. If the linearly polarized light beam is an s-polarized light beam, then the laser beam is reflected by the polarization beam splitter toward a recording medium. If the linearly polarized light beam is a p-polarized light beam, then the laser beam passes through the polarization beam splitter. The laser beam passes through a quarter-wave plate and is reflected by a convex mirror and then by the polarization beam splitter toward the recording medium.

Abstract: A single laser crystal is driven with multiple pumping sources to obtain discrete, collimated outputs without substantial thermal crosstalk, so that the action of one pumping source does not adversely interfere with the action of another source driving the same crystal; that is, an imaging output emanating from one crystal region will neither defeat nor spuriously cause an imaging output in another region.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and a method for microlithographic writing on photosensitive substrates, and specially printing of patterns with extremely high precision, such as photomasks for semiconductor device patterns, display panels, integrated optical devices and electronic interconnect structures. The system comprises a light source (1), preferably a laser, a computer-controlled light modulator (3) and a lens to contract the at least one light beam from the light source before it reaches the substrate. Further it comprises a device for controlling the position of incidence of the beam on the substrate, a detector for detecting the deviation from the intended position of incidence of the beam on the substrate, and correcting device for controlling the position controlling to device in accordance with the detected deviation diminish position errors at the substrate related to the deviations.

Abstract: An exposing apparatus is provided with a first laser beam source for being directly modulated in terms of light amount and for emitting a first laser beam having a first wavelength; a second laser beam source for emitting a second laser beam having a second wavelength different from the first wavelength; and an audio-optical modulation element for modulating the second laser beam in terms of light amount.

Abstract: A variable filter arrangement is interposed within the optical path of an apparatus containing a source of imaging radiation directed along an optical path for imaging a recording construction. The variable filter arrangement facilitates selectable reduction in the output energy density of the radiation source without substantially altering the focal length of the optical path. The variable filter arrangement may utilize multiple independent lenses of varying energy density reduction levels or a filter of unitary construction with progressive densities so as to provide a selectable continuum for reduction in the output energy density of the imaging radiation.

Abstract: Power scaling by multiplexing multiple fiber gain sources with different wave-lengths is useful in printing applications requiring higher optical powers to perform the printing function, such as through thermal inducement in thermal ablation, thermal fusion, thermal diffusion or thermal transfer. A marking system is disclosed using a plurality of laser sources operating at different wavelengths with their respective outputs coupled into a respective single mode fiber. At least one WDM combiner is coupled to receive and combine the laser source outputs into a single output. The combined power single output provides sufficient power intensity to induce thermal marking on a marking medium.

Abstract: An optical recording and data processing system for exposing an image on to a flexible, light sensitive medium, which includes a medium holder having an inner cylindrical wall portion against which is held said medium, and a light source having an approximately rectangular emitting aperture, with a short aperture axis and a long aperture axis, operative to emit a beam of light having a rectangular cross section with a long axis corresponding to the long aperture axis and a short axis corresponding to the short aperture axis. An optical modulator is aligned with the light source so as to intercept light from the beam of light and produce a spatial modulation pattern across the long axis of the beam of light. A pattern shifter for shifting the spatial modulation pattern across the length of the long axis at a constant rate is provided as is a pattern rotator for rotating the spatial modulation pattern at a rate equal to the rate of shifting of the spatial modulation pattern.