Abstract: An LED printhead is provided which comprises at least one LED chip having a plurality of light emitting portions, and drive at least one drive IC for selectively actuating the light emitting portions of the LED chip for light emission. Each of the light emitting portions includes a laminate of gallium nitride compound semiconductor layers formed on a surface of an insulating substrate. The light emitting portions are made to emit light having a wavelength of no more than 550 nm.

Abstract: A high density recording method for performing high density recording by reducing a light spot size in an optical pickup for recording information by scanning an optical disk with the light spot, spatially controlling the phase or the intensity of light being focused within the optical focal length of an objective lens by employing a diffraction optical element so as to form on the optical disk a light spot whose diameter is reduced according to the width of the portion for controlling the phase or intensity of the light. The distribution of the optical intensity is variable depending on the distance between the diffraction optical element and the optical disk, to thereby enable theoretically forming a limitlessly small light spot, and actually, greatly increase the recording capacity. The diffraction optical element can be used as a floating slider in an optical pickup having a swing arm.

Abstract: An image-wise exposure apparatus comprises a light source for producing recording light, to which a photosensitive material is to be exposed, and a spatial modulation device, which is provided with an array of picture elements and carries out spatial modulation of the recording light. A shifting device changes the optical relationship between the spatial modulation device and the photosensitive material.

Abstract: There is provided an optical filtering system intended for use in a raster scanning arrangement for a document processing system. The document processing system includes a laser beam generating device providing a laser beam and a raster scanning device for transmitting the provided laser beam along a path. The optical filtering system includes a) an optical filter, disposed in the path, for reflecting the laser beam or permitting a portion of the laser beam to be transmitted therethrough, and b) a heating subsystem, thermally communicating with the optical filter, for maintaining the optical filter at a substantially fixed temperature.

Abstract: A laser engraving head (6) for use in preparing a medium for a printing process includes a deflector (AOM). The deflector, which may be an acousto-optic modulator, deflects the laser beam which is focused by a lens (L) onto the surface of the medium. The lens (L) may be arranged telecentrically with respect to the deflected laser beams so that the exit pupil (P) defined by the range of deflected beams is located at the back focal plane of the means for focusing. A number of interchangeable beam expanders (20) may be provided mounted within the head and moveable so that one of the expanders is brought into the path of the beam to provide a desired cell size. Control circuits for the head may modify the control signal applied to the deflector compensate for variations as a function of deflection angle in the cell size produced on the medium.

Abstract: An image writing apparatus has improved performance of image reproduction based on a multi-beam scanning optical system, in which the number of laser beams n and the spacing of scanning lines p meet the condition: 1/(n.multidot.p).gtoreq.4 line pairs per millimeter. The optical system is further designed such that the number of deflection planes q of the deflector, a natural number m, where the period of repetitive patterns of image in the slow scan direction is equal to p multiplied by m, and the least common multiple E of m and n, or the least common multiple G of m, n and q meet the condition:1/(E.multidot.p).gtoreq.4 or 1/(G.multidot.p).gtoreq.4 line pairs per millimeter.

Abstract: Various laser patterns for vertical cavity surface emitting lasers are disclosed. The patterns utilize lasers with different size apertures. By utilizing these laser patterns, an image forming system is able to form images with improved resolution and halftoning. Apparatus and method implementations which use these laser patterns are disclosed.

Abstract: A laser multibeam printer or recorder includes a laser diode array generating multiple modulated parallel and diverging light beams with predetermined light intensities at any instant of time. Optical means reduce the divergence of the parallel light beams from the laser diode array by a predetermined amount, do not focus the light beams in a first cross-section direction along a width of the laser diode array, and focus the light beams onto a plane of an entrance pupil of a printing lens in a second cross-sectional direction normal to the first cross-sectional direction. A separate lenslet of a lenslet array directs a corresponding light beam from the laser diode array towards a predetermined area on a plane in front of the printing lens (e.g., the entrance pupil) in the first cross-sectional direction, and focuses the light beam onto the plane of the entrance pupil in a second cross-sectional direction.

Abstract: An exposure method which has a step of offsetting a first scanning line bend by scanning means with a second scanning line bend by an image forming lens, and/or a step of correcting angles of optical axis of a plurality of light beams in accordance with the amount of a deviation in a subscanning direction due to a difference of the angles of incidence, so that a distance between scanning lines on a photosensitive body due to the plurality of light beams is corrected.An image forming apparatus which has an image forming lens for producing a second scanning line bend is so as to offset a first scanning line bend by scanning means, and/or correcting means for correcting angles of optical axis of a plurality of light beams in accordance with the amount of a deviation in a subscanning direction due to a difference of the angles of incidence, so that a distance between scanning lines on a photosensitive body due to the plurality of light beams is corrected.

Abstract: To properly cut light except for visible light and improve read precision, there is provided an image reading apparatus having a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements. The image reading apparatus includes an image information detecting unit in which the photoelectric conversion elements are arranged on a single chip, a first light-shielding unit, arranged near the photoelectric conversion elements, for transmitting specific visible light, and a second light-shielding unit, arranged near the photoelectric conversion elements at a position different from that of the first light-shielding unit, for partially shielding light except for the visible light.

Abstract: An illumination device for illuminating a surface to be illuminated, includes a light source and an irradiation optical system for mixedly projecting light beams from the light source to the surface, wherein the irradiation optical system has a first focal point with respect to a first plane, which is disposed at a position out of the surface.

Abstract: In a raster output scanning system (ROS) of a xerographic printing device, a plurality of input optical channels direct at least one of a plurality of light beams onto separate facets of a deflector, which may be a rotating polygon mirror. The deflector deflects the light beams onto disparate optical paths. An optical system located on the disparate optical paths directs at least one of the light beams onto each of first, second, third and fourth image receiving locations. The image receiving locations may comprise a plurality of photoreceptors.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus modulates or gates pluralities of light beams through individual light valves, thereby providing a greater number and finer resolution of modulated light beams without increasing the number of light valves or decreasing the spacing between adjacent light valves. A two-step modulation process is used, the first step being performed by a light generator incorporating a polygon mirror that selectively illuminates selected bundles of fiber optic strands. One strand from each bundle is routed to illuminate one of the cells in a light valve array, such that when a bundle is illuminated, every cell is illuminated by a strand from the illuminated bundle. The second step of the modulation process involves controlling the light valve array to modulate the light beams formed by the illuminated strands at each cell.

Abstract: For an aperture plate to be used to form dot images of a two dimensional aperture pattern by projection through an imaging optical system in a normal direction, a pattern of markings in ideal positions is projected through an imaging optical system in the reverse direction to normal imaging operations. The image of the pattern is recorded at the position of the aperture plate, and the recorded image is used as a guide to form corrected apertures in the aperture plate. Accordingly, locational errors of the dot images in the normal direction are corrected when the corrected aperture plate is used.

Abstract: A printing apparatus includes an imaging system which focuses a plurality of different color LED sources on a photosensitive recording medium without use of any refractive optics. The imaging system comprises two concave mirrors having reflective surfaces, each of which is a conic section, and a baffle located between the mirrors. Each of the mirrors includes an aperture and the baffle is located between the apertures of the mirrors. A printing method utilizing the apparatus includes reflection of light generated by the LED sources between the mirrors following a series of zigzag turns, convergence of the light through an aperture in one of the mirrors, and formation of an image on a photosensitive recording medium without passing through refracting optics, wherein the baffle blocks light from propagating directly towards an imaging surface without reflecting in the imaging system.

Abstract: An optical probe element for focusing light from a light source into micro light of a diameter not larger than the diffraction limit, includes a light transmitting flat substrate and an optical probe formed on one of the surfaces of the flat substrate. The optical probe has a substantially conical light transmitting projection, and a reflective film which covers the conical surface of the projection so that the tip of the projection is exposed. The optical probe element enables the optical probe to be formed on the flat substrate using a semiconductor processing technique, thereby achieving efficient mass production of a standardized optical probe element. Thus, a recording and reproduction apparatus using the optical probe element is efficiently mass-produced.

Abstract: An optical probe element for focusing light from a light source into micro light of a diameter not larger than the diffraction limit, includes a light transmitting flat substrate and an optical probe formed on one of the surfaces of the flat substrate. The optical probe has a substantially conical light transmitting projection, and a reflective film which covers the conical surface of the projection so that the tip of the projection is exposed. The optical probe element enables the optical probe to be formed on the flat substrate using a semiconductor processing technique, thereby achieving efficient mass production of a standardized optical probe element. Thus, a recording and reproduction apparatus using the optical probe element is efficiently mass-produced.

Abstract: Laser color printers include multiple laser sources formed of either diode lasers or laser diode arrays emitting light beams of different wavelengths, and an optical arrangement. The optical arrangement independently processes each of the light beams to provide a separate predetermined sized collimated light beam, and then focuses and scans the light beams over a printing media that prints separate colors for each different wavelength of light. Where different sized collimated light beams are required to match a printing media, a separate zoom lens is used is used in the optical arrangement to independently reshape each of two orthogonal cross-sectional directions of a separate one of the light beams before being properly sized at the output thereof.

Abstract: A multi-beam laser printer for printing on light-sensitive thermal media where a monolithic array of independently modulated diode lasers is used to reduce the size of the printer. A closely spaced array of printing spots is produced from the separate diode lasers using two lenslet arrays having power in the array direction. To correct for non-straightness of the laser array, an optical arrangement is used to conjugate the far field of the lasers in a direction perpendicular to the array direction of the printing plane so that the laser array produces a straight line of printing spots on the light-sensitive medium.

Abstract: A raster scanning optical system and method emits a first light beam and a second light beam onto a light receiving member. A scanning device has at least one facet for reflecting the first and the second light beams to the light receiving member. A light transmissive plate is located in a path of the first light beam between the first light emitting device and the scanning device. The light transmissive plate adjusts the sagittal direction and the tangential direction of the first light beam by a desired amount so that the first and second light beams are reflected from positions of the scanning device that are closer to each other and parallel in both the sagittal and tangential meridian.

Abstract: A plurality of image arrays are sandwiched between a first and a second substrates. The common electrodes of the image arrays are connected to the first substrate; the individual electrodes of the image arrays are connected to the second substrate by flip chip connection. The image arrays are installed in holes of a spacer made by etching a metal plate. Plural lenses are installed in a lens plate made by etching a metal plate; the lens plate is secured to support members for positioning the lenses with respect to the image arrays. The image arrays include a plurality of light elements which may be either light emitter or light receiver elements.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus and method use interlace scanning of plural light beams by deflecting the plural beams with a rotating polygon onto a recording medium. Corrections are made to the scan envelope to compensate for errors due to perceived imperfections in the spot profile or aberrations in the optical and mechanical systems used to scan the spot. The corrections are performed by adjusting intensity of gaussian components of the envelope according to a look up table.

Abstract: A laser beam optical scanning system having a laser diode, a collimator lens, a cylindrical lens, a polygonal mirror and an f.theta. mirror. The f.theta. mirror has a free toric surface whose curvature in the main scanning direction varies in accordance with field angle. The variation of the curvature of the free toric surface is set in accordance with the position of the f.theta. mirror in the optical path, and this appropriate setting of the variation of the curvature enables the f.theta. mirror to correct both distortion and curvature of field in the main scanning direction.

Abstract: An apparatus for exposing photosensitive materials includes a plurality of light sources for generating beams having different wavelengths, a polygon mirror for scanning and exposing the beams toward a color photosensitive material, and one or more f.theta. lenses disposed on an optical path between the photosensitive material and the polygon mirror. The polygon mirror and the f.theta. lenses are arranged, with respect to the beam from a light source having an intermediate wavelength among the light sources, such that reflection points corresponding to both ends of beam scanning on reflection surfaces of the polygon mirror pass through an identical point on an optical axis of the f.theta. lenses, and light beams at the both ends of beam scanning have line symmetry with respect to the optical axis of the f.theta. lenses.

Abstract: The improved color image forming apparatus is adapted for image formation from either a reflection-type original or a transmission-type original by the user who selects the proper exposure optics (or unit) in accordance with the kind and size of the original to be duplicated. The apparatus is capable of image formation with the necessary color and/or density related adjustments being performed by basically the same operating device through basically the same operation without any regard to the kind and size of the original and the desired image of high quality can be formed by a simple method. The color and/or density related adjustment necessary for image formation with the selected exposure optics (or unit) is performed by the same input device without regard to the kind of document to be duplicated.

Abstract: An image out put system including an image printer 53 for printing images on a lenticular lens sheet 16 and a computer for controlling the image printer 53, while a plurality of images are being superimposition printed on the lenticular lens sheet 16, by making the size and the feed for each pixel smaller in the first direction so as to superimpose pixels when printing, or by narrowing the shape of each pixel in this first direction and then reducing the feed for each pixel by the portion by which each of the pixels have been narrowed. It is possible to make the number of pixels per unit length of the first direction large.

Abstract: In an apparatus for exposing a set of discrete locations on a photosensitive surface, such as an electrophotographic printer, a scanner transmits a light beam along a scan path onto the photosensitive surface. An optical element, interposed in the scan path between the photosensitive surface and the scanner, defines a plurality of apertures therein where no more than one aperture is disposed at any location along a linear dimension of the optical element parallel to the scan direction. The light beam transmitted through each aperture exposes a discrete location on the photosensitive surface.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for forming grey-scale images on a photosensitive imaging medium, the medium being capable of spatial resolution finer than pixel dimensions of the exposing apparatus. The medium is exposed to a pixellated array of exposure sources which may be liquid crystal shutters or light emitting diodes. A transmission density is developed in imaged areas that varies non-linearly with the exposure energy received by the imaged areas in which the exposure conditions are adjusted such that the variation in average transmission over a whole pixel area from image pixel to image pixel caused by spatial energy distribution variations is less than 5% for the same energy delivered to each pixel area.

Abstract: A raster scanning system has an image receiving device that receives a light beam, a scanning device for scanning the light beam across the image receiving device and a mirror located in the path of the light beam between the scanning device and the image receiving device for directing the light beam to the image receiving device. An adjusting device adjusts a curvature of the mirror to correct for bow of the light beam on the image receiving device.

Abstract: An aperture plate is disposed between a reduction optical system (imaging optical system) and a light source unit in which a plurality of light source parts each emitting a light beam are arranged in a predetermined arrangement pattern. In the aperture plate, a plurality of apertures are arranged in the same pattern as the arrangement pattern of the light source parts. Light beams from the light source parts are directed toward the reduction optical system through the apertures which face the respective light source parts so that reduction images of the apertures are formed on a photosensitive material. Even if the light source parts are located a little displaced from a predetermined arrangement pattern, images of the apertures will be focused on a photosensitive material. This enables easy adjustment of the locations of the light source parts and recording of a high quality image.

Abstract: A raster scanning system is disclosed which utilizes a laser light source with a plurality of diodes, at least two of which are offset relative to each other. Either one diode or two offset diodes will be selected to scan one scan line. If two offset diodes are selected, two light beams can be generated to scan two partially overlapping paths to form a scan line. By changing the intensity of the two light beams or by selecting two different offset diodes, the scan line can be moved up or down in the sagittal plane. This concept can be used to correct the wobble of a scan line in which case, either one diode or two offset diodes will be selected to scan one scan line in its correct position. Also, the same concept can be used to correct a bow of a scan line in which case, either one diode or two offset diodes will be selected for each pixel to correct the bow in accordance with a pre-defined correction data for that pixel which is stored in a memory.

Abstract: An electrophotographic recording apparatus and method wherein an electrophotographic recording medium is continuously moved in a first direction relative to a row of light-emitting recording elements such as LEDs. A beam shifter assembly is located within an optical path between the LEDs and the recording medium. The beam shifter assembly is operable in a first mode to pass light from the LEDs without substantial lateral shifting and in a second mode to pass light with substantial shifting of said light in a lateral direction having a directional component parallel to the row of LEDs. A control is provided for controlling the beam shifter assembly in different modes on alternate recording time lines of exposure. This helps minimize in-track artifacts. The apparatus is also operable in a multiaddress mode that is automatically instituted when a higher resolution image scanner is used or when a higher resolution character font library is input for recording.

Abstract: The present invention is a thin film coating that may be applied to various optical elements and a method for controlling the size of the imaging spot from multiwavelength sources in an optical path. A selective optical element made in accordance with the principles of the present invention comprises an optical surface. Upon the surface, thin film coatings are deposited that define zones of transmission, each zone transmits a desired wavelength band. Beyond this zone, the surface is effectively opaque to a specified wavelength band. The zones for each wavelength are individually calculated to give an effective aperture for each wavelength such that the spot size for all wavelengths meet user specifications.

Abstract: An electro-optical head assembly for use in an optical printer or scanner, the electro-optical head assembly including a linear array of electro-optical elements mounted on an elongate support member, a linear lens array held in a rigid lens mount, extending in parallel with the array of electro-optical elements, and means for mounting the lens mount on the support member while maintaining a predetermined distance between the linear array of electro-optical elements and linear lens array over the entire length thereof, the mounting means comprising two elongated plates provided along opposite longitudinal sides of the arrays and having respective first longitudinal edge portions secured to the support member and second longitudinal edge portions, wherein the second longitudinal edge portion of each plate is secured to the lens mount, and each plate is provided with a pattern of holes and/or slots leaving in each plate only a number of separate hinge elements which extend from the first to the second longitudi

Abstract: An illumination device used for the direct illumination of light-sensitive ayers comprises a light source and a pattern generator.The pattern generator includes an optical Schlieren system and an active, matrix-addressable surface light generator. The Schlieren system comprises a Schlieren lens and a projection lens as well as a mirror device, which is arranged between these lenses and which directs light coming from the light source onto the surface of the surface light modulator. A filter device is used for filtering out diffracted light and for permitting undiffracted light to pass from the surface light modulator to the projection lens. The structure to be illuminated is secured in position on a displaceable positioning table. The surface light modulator is addressed such that the non-addressed surface areas thereof correspond to the projection areas of said structure which are to be illuminated.

Abstract: An illumination device for producing models used for manufacturing electronic elements, or for direct illumination of wafers or substrates during the photolithographic steps required for their production, or for direct illumination of structures including light-sensitive layers, comprises a pulsed laser light source and a pattern generator.The pattern generator includes an optical Schlieren system and an active, matrix-addressable surface light modulator. The Schlieren system comprises a Schlieren lens arranged on a side of the surface light modulator, a projection lens facing away from the surface light modulator, and a mirror device which is arranged between the lenses for directing light coming from the light source onto the reflective surface on the surface light modulator. The Schlieren lens is arranged from the surface light modulator at a short distance relative to the focal length of the lens.

Abstract: A laser printing system includes plurality of N channel where each channels includes a laser diode forming a laser light beam which is shaped by a beam shaper to correct for divergence differences between the lasers of the N channels. The plurality of N output laser light beams from the plurality of N beam shapers are circular in cross-section, and are combined at a stop aperture in a stop plane with a predetermined angular separation. Various techniques are disclosed for combining the plurality of N output laser light beams. An optical system relays the combined plurality of N angularly separated output laser light beams at the stop plane to a light sensitive print medium to form a spot for each laser light beam. The spots are then scanned across the print medium to print a desired image.

Abstract: An optical head and printing system for printing an image on a light sensitive print medium includes polarized beam splitting means, and a first and a second group of lasers. The polarized beam splitting means passes light beams with a first polarization propagating from a first surface to a second opposing surface thereof, and reflects light beams with a second orthogonal polarization propagating from a third surface to the second surface thereof. The first group of lasers are disposed in a first plane adjacent the first surface of the polarized beam splitting means for transmitting a first group of diverging laser light beams which are polarized with the first polarization. The second group of lasers are disposed in a second plane adjacent the third surface of the polarized beam splitting means for transmitting a second group of diverging laser light beams which are polarized with the second polarization.

Abstract: A multi-beam scan optical system for writing image information. The system includes a laser array having a plurality of laser diodes, a collimate lens for collimating a plurality of laser beams output from the laser diodes, and an optical member for focusing the collimated laser beams. An aperture is disposed at a position where optical axes of the plurality of laser beams cross an optical axis of the optical member. The system includes a relationship between a distance r.sub.1 of separation of the laser diodes, a divergence angle .theta., of each of the laser beams, a wavelength .lambda. of each of the laser beams, and an interlace scanning period i, wherein these values satisfy the relation: ##EQU1## where K is a number in a range from 1.0 to 1.8. The value .alpha. depends on the diameter of the aperture as viewed in a subsidiary scan direction and satisfies the relation:d.sub.2 =(4.alpha./.pi.)(.lambda.f.sub.2 /D)where .pi. is a circular constant, f.sub.

Abstract: An optical scanning device comprises a light source for emitting a light, a light guide path being adapted to receive the emitted light and to transmitting the received light therein, a plurality of diffraction gratings disposed on the light guide path for taking out the transmitted light in a form of an array, and a liquid crystal shutter for scanning the taken out light in the form of the array. An optical scanning device comprises a first substrate, a second substrate, a liquid crystal layer sandwiched between the first substrate and the second substrate, a light guide path disposed on the first substrate for entering a light transmitted therein into the liquid crystal layer, a plurality of micro lenses disposed on the second substrate for converging the entered light, wherein, assuming that n.sub.CORE is a refraction index of a light guide medium forming the light guide path, that n.sub.LCON is a refraction index of a liquid crystal when an electric field is applied (on), and that n.sub.