Abstract: An optical scanner assembly for exposing an image on a scanned surface. The optical scanner assembly includes a laser mechanism for producing a laser beam representative of the image to be exposed on the scanned surface. The laser beam defines an optical path between the laser mechanism and the scanned surface. A laser beam shaping system is positioned along the optical path for focusing and shaping the laser beam onto the scanned surface. A scanning and directing system is provided for directing the laser beam to the scanned surface and scanning the laser beam across the scanned surface in an image-wise pattern. A unibody attenuation mechanism is positioned along the optical path for power attenuation of the laser beam, wherein the unibody variable density power attenuation mechanism is a linear density wedge.

Abstract: A linear translation system for use in a laser imaging system. The linear translation system includes a base member including a pair of longitudinally extending guide rails positioned parallel to each other. A carriage mechanism is carried by the base member, wherein the carriage mechanism is slidably coupled to the guide rails using a three position kinematic design. A rotary to linear motion mechanism is coupled to the carriage mechanism which slidably moves the carriage mechanism along the guide rails. A laser imaging assembly is coupled to the carriage mechanism.

Abstract: An optical scanner feedback system. The feedback system provides a feedback signal representative of a laser beam focused along an optical path onto a scanning surface. The feedback system includes a cylinder lens having a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis, located along the optical path having an optical surface for shaping and focusing the laser beam in a first direction. A photodetector is provided having an active region sensitive to light. The laser beam includes a scanning portion which passes through the lens and a reflected portion which reflects off the lens. The reflected portion is reflected such that it is incident on the photodetector active region for providing an output signal representative of the laser beam.

Abstract: A method and system for compensating for scanner facet height error in a laser imaging application including a rotating polygon for directing a laser beam across a dimension of a photographic element. The present invention compensates for facet height error by measuring a scan interval for each facet of the rotating polygon and modifies the pixel clock for a subset of pixels of each scan line as a function of variations in scan intervals for the respective facets of the rotating polygon.Several advantages of the present invention have been illustrated including the low cost of such a compensation system and technique. Furthermore, the present invention is not limited in accuracy by the pixel clock as are conventional techniques. Furthermore, the modified pixels are evenly distributed over the entire length of the facet's corresponding scan line.

Abstract: An optical assembly for use in focusing a laser beam along an optical path onto a scanned surface. The optical assembly includes a first cylinder lens having a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis, located along the optical path for shaping and focusing the laser beam in a first direction, wherein the transverse axis is substantially perpendicular to the optical path. A second cylinder lens is provided having a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis, located along the optical path for shaping and focusing the laser beam in a second direction, wherein the transverse axis is substantially perpendicular to the optical path. The second cylinder lens longitudinal axis is not perpendicular to the optical path.

Abstract: An optical scanner assembly for exposing an image on a piece of photosensitive film positioned within an internal drum type exposure assembly. The optical scanner assembly is part of a laser imaging system suitable for use in a medical imaging system. The optical scanner assembly includes a laser mechanism for producing a laser beam representative of the image to be exposed on the photosensitive film. A first lens system is provided for shaping and focusing the laser beam in a first direction, including a long, flexible cylinder lens. A second lens system is provided for shaping and focusing the laser beam in a second direction, including a second cylinder lens oriented generally perpendicular to the long, flexible cylinder lens.

Abstract: An optical scanner assembly for exposing an image on a photosensitive film. The photosensitive film is positioned on the internal surface of a drum. The optical scanner assembly includes a laser assembly for producing a laser beam representative of the image to be exposed on the photosensitive film, a scanner, and a long, flexible lens curved to the shape of the photosensitive film positioned on the internal surface of the drum, wherein the lens is positioned between the scanner and the film. The scanner operates to scan the laser beam through the lens across the surface of the photosensitive film in an image-wise pattern.

Abstract: A method is described for forming uniform nanometer sized depressions on the surface of a conducting substrate. A tunneling tip is used to apply tunneling current density sufficient to vaporize a localized area of the substrate surface. The resulting depressions or craters in the substrate surface can be formed in information encoding patterns readable with a scanning tunneling microscope.