Abstract: The optical printing apparatus comprises a fluorescent lamp light source and a means for concentrating light from the light source onto a liquid crystal panel. The liquid crystal panel includes a plurality of light valves disposed in rows. A driver is disposed on the outside of the shield plate for selectively opening and closing the light valves. Rows of self-focusing fiber lenses receive light from the light valves and direct the light onto a photosensitive drum for use in printing.

Abstract: The optical printing apparatus comprises a fluorescent lamp light source, a shield plate for blocking substantially all of the light emitted from the light source, a liquid crystal panel subject to irradiation with the light emitted from the light source and passing through a slit in the shield plate. The liquid crystal panel includes a plurality of light valves. A driver is disposed on the outside of the shield plate for selectively opening and closing the light valves. Fibers disposed below the liquid crystal panel and functionally equivalent to a self-focusing lens direct incident light, which has passed through the light valves, onto a photosensitive drum and printing is completed in the conventional manner. The light source, slit, liquid crystal panel and fibers are arranged in a line. The temperature and brightness of the light source are precisely controlled with feedback circuits and the liquid crystal panel is temperature controlled.