Abstract: A direct imaging system comprises an illumination unit comprising a plurality of light sources, the plurality of light sources configured to emit a plurality of beams, an optical system for forming the plurality of beams to be aligned in position or angle, an acoustic optical modulator positioned to receive the plurality of beams aligned in one of position or angle and to consecutively diffract different portions of the plurality of beams as an acoustic wave propagates in an acoustic direction, and a scanning element adapted to scan an exposure plane with the plurality of beams modulated by the acoustic optical modulator at a scanning velocity, wherein the scanning velocity is selected to incoherently unite the different portions of the plurality of beams into a single exposure spot.

Abstract: A direct imaging system comprises an illumination unit comprising a plurality of light sources, the plurality of light sources configured to emit a plurality of beams, an optical system for forming the plurality of beams to be aligned in position or angle, an acoustic optical modulator positioned to receive the plurality of beams aligned in one of position or angle and to consecutively diffract different portions of the plurality of beams as an acoustic wave propagates in an acoustic direction, and a scanning element adapted to scan an exposure plane with the plurality of beams modulated by the acoustic optical modulator at a scanning velocity, wherein the scanning velocity is selected to incoherently unite the different portions of the plurality of beams into a single exposure spot.

Abstract: A direct imaging system comprises an illumination unit comprising a plurality of light sources, the plurality of light sources configured to emit a plurality of beams, an optical system for forming the plurality of beams to be aligned in position or angle, an acoustic optical modulator positioned to receive the plurality of beams aligned in one of position or angle and to consecutively diffract different portions of the plurality of beams as an acoustic wave propagates in an acoustic direction, and a scanning element adapted to scan an exposure plane with the plurality of beams modulated by the acoustic optical modulator at a scanning velocity, wherein the scanning velocity is selected to incoherently unite the different portions of the plurality of beams into a single exposure spot.

Abstract: A direct imaging system comprises an illumination unit comprising a plurality of light sources, the plurality of light sources configured to emit a plurality of beams, an optical system for forming the plurality of beams to be aligned in position or angle, an acoustic optical modulator positioned to receive the plurality of beams aligned in one of position or angle and to consecutively diffract different portions of the plurality of beams as an acoustic wave propagates in an acoustic direction, and a scanning element adapted to scan an exposure plane with the plurality of beams modulated by the acoustic optical modulator at a scanning velocity, wherein the scanning velocity is selected to incoherently unite the different portions of the plurality of beams into a single exposure spot.

Abstract: A direct imaging system comprises an illumination unit comprising a plurality of light sources, the plurality of light sources configured to emit a plurality of beams, an optical system for forming the plurality of beams to be aligned in position or angle, an acoustic optical modulator positioned to receive the plurality of beams aligned in one of position or angle and to consecutively diffract different portions of the plurality of beams as an acoustic wave propagates in an acoustic direction, and a scanning element adapted to scan an exposure plane with the plurality of beams modulated by the acoustic optical modulator at a scanning velocity, wherein the scanning velocity is selected to incoherently unite the different portions of the plurality of beams into a single exposure spot.

Abstract: A direct imaging system comprises an illumination unit comprising a plurality of light sources, the plurality of light sources configured to emit a plurality of beams, an optical system for forming the plurality of beams to be aligned in position or angle, an acoustic optical modulator positioned to receive the plurality of beams aligned in one of position or angle and to consecutively diffract different portions of the plurality of beams as an acoustic wave propagates in an acoustic direction, and a scanning element adapted to scan an exposure plane with the plurality of beams modulated by the acoustic optical modulator at a scanning velocity, wherein the scanning velocity is selected to incoherently unite the different portions of the plurality of beams into a single exposure spot.

Abstract: Apparatus for holding flat plates of varying sizes, including a base section having a flat surface and including plurality of interconnected channels formed on the surface thereof; at least one port connecting to the channels; a vacuum source connected to the at least one port; and an intermediate plate covering substantially all of the channels and having a multiplicity of holes formed therethrough, the holes being arranged to be covered by a flat plate that is to be held to the flat surface.

Abstract: Apparatus for holding flat plates of varying sizes, including a base section having a flat surface and including plurality of interconnected channels formed on the surface thereof; at least one port connecting to the channels; a vacuum source connected to the at least one port; and an intermediate plate covering substantially all of the channels and having a multiplicity of holes formed therethrough, the holes being arranged to be covered by a flat plate that is to be held to the flat surface.

Abstract: A method of scanning for writing a pattern on a surface, including providing a scanning beam comprised of a plurality of independently addressable sub-beams, scanning the surface with the scanning beam a plurality of times, the sub-beams scanning the surface side-by-side in the cross-scan direction, each sub-beam being modulated to reflect information to be written, and overlapping the beams in successive scans in the cross scan direction such that all written areas of the surface are written on during at least two scans.

Abstract: Apparatus for scanning a beam across a surface including a scanner scanning a pulsed laser beam across a surface and a position indicator receiving an input from the pulsed laser beam at a plurality of locations across the surface, and outputting position indications indicating a position of said pulsed laser beam along said surface. The position indications are used to modulate data in apparatus for exposing patterns on surfaces, for example electrical circuit patterns on photosensitized surfaces. One use of such apparatus is the manufacture of electrical circuits.