Claims
- 1. A method of printing a high resolution image onto a photosensitive media using multiple reflective spatial light modulators comprising the steps of:
uniformizing light from a light source through a uniformizing optics assembly to form uniform illumination at a plurality of spatial modulators; dividing said uniformized light into a first light component, a second light component and a third light component; passing said first light component through a first polarization beamsplitter element to produce a first polarization state of said first light component and a second polarization state of said first light component; passing said first polarized component light to a first spatial light modulator to create a telecentric illumination at said first spatial light modulator; addressing said first spatial light modulator with a first image data signal to create a modulated first light component beam; passing said modulated first light component beam through said first polarization beamsplitter element to form a polarized first modulated light component; passing said second light component through a second polarization beamsplitter element to produce a first polarization state of second light component and a second polarization state of said second light component; passing said first polarized second component light to a second spatial light modulator to create a telecentric illumination at said second spatial light modulator; addressing said second spatial light modulator with a second image data signal to create a modulated second light component beam; passing said modulated second light component through said second polarization beamsplitter element to form a polarized second modulated light component; passing said third light component through a third polarization beamsplitter element to produce a first polarization state of said third light component and a second polarization state of said third light component; passing said first polarized third light component to a third spatial light modulator to create a telecentric illumination at said third spatial light modulator; addressing said third spatial light modulator with a third image data signal to create a modulated third light component beam; passing said modulated third light component through said third polarization beamsplitter element to form a polarized third modulated light component; directing said modulated first, second and third modulated light components towards a combining prism element; combining said modulated first, second and third component light beams with said combining prism to form a complete image; and directing said complete image through a print lens assembly to expose said photosensitive media.
- 2. A method according to claim 1, wherein said first light component is red light.
- 3. A method according to claim 1, wherein said second light component is green light.
- 4. A method according to claim 1, wherein said third light component is blue light.
- 5. A method according to claim 1, wherein said light source is a monochromatic light source.
- 6. A method according to claim 1, wherein said light source is switchable from imaging monochromatic light to imaging polychromatic light.
- 7. A method according to claim 1, wherein said light source provides imaging light which matches a media sensitivity of said photosensitive media.
- 8. A method according to claim 1, wherein said light source is provided for a period of time which matches a media sensitivity of said photosensitive media.
- 9. A method according to claim 1, wherein said separating of uniformized imaging light into first, second, and third light components is achieved with filters.
- 10. A method according to claim 1, wherein said light source is a halogen light source.
- 11. A method according to claim 1, wherein said light source is a broadband visible source.
- 12. A method according to claim 1, wherein said light source is a two dimensional array of red, green, and blue LEDs.
- 13. A method according to claim 12, wherein at least one of said LEDs has a single sided lenslet array.1
- 14. A method according to claim 1, wherein said light source is at least one laser.
- 15. A method according to claim 1, comprising the further step of varying an illumination level of said light source.
- 16. A method according to claim 1, comprising the further step of varying the duration of exposure time.
- 17. A method according to claim 1, comprising the further steps of:
creating an image by exposing said photosensitive media; repositioning said photosensitive media; and exposing said photosensitive media.
- 18. A method according to claim 17, wherein at least one of said spatial light modulators is turned off while said photosensitive media is being repositioned.
- 19. A method according to claim 17, wherein at least one of said spatial light modulators is turned to a fully charged state while said photosensitive media is being repositioned.
- 20. A method according to claim 17, wherein at least one of said spatial light modulators is charged to an intermediate level to remove residual image data while said photosensitive media is being repositioned.
- 21. A method according to claim 1, wherein said first, second and third signals are processed simultaneously.
- 22. A method according to claim 1, wherein said signals address said spatial light modulators for a period of time which matches a media sensitivity of said photosensitive media.
- 23. A method according to claim 1, wherein the temperature of a least one spatial light modulator is modified to match a media sensitivity of said photosensitive media.
- 24. A method according to claim 1, wherein said first, second, and third signals to address said first, second, and third spatial light modulators are divided into separate bitplanes.
- 25. A method according to claim 1, comprising the further step of varying the backplane voltage of each spatial light modulator.
- 26. A method according to claim 1, wherein said first, second, and third spatial light modulators are each optimized for a discrete range of visible light wavelengths.
- 27. A method according to claim 1, wherein said first spatial light modulator is optimized for red light, said second spatial light modulator is optimized for green light, and said third spatial light modulator is optimized for blue wavelengths.
- 28. A method according to claim 1, wherein said spatial light modulators include a plurality of modulators sites, said modulator sites being adapted to rotate a polarization state of incident light, and reflect said light through said spatial light modulators and back to said polarization beamsplitter elements.
- 29. A method according to claim 28, comprising the further steps of:
moving at least one said spatial light modulator a distance of between p/4 to 3p/4 wherein p is the size of an individual modulator site; and imaging said photosensitive media with new image data.
- 30. A method according to claim 28, wherein at least one said spatial light modulator is mounted on a frame which is movable in at least two directions.
- 31. A method according to claim 28, wherein said first, second, and third spatial light modulators are moved in synchronization.
- 32. A method according to claim 1, comprising the further steps of:
passing said polarized first modulated light component through a first blur filter to form a first blurred light component; passing said polarized second modulated light component through a second blur filter to form a second blurred light component; passing said polarized third modulated light component through a third blur filter to form a third blurred light component; directing said first, second and third blurred light components towards a combining prism element; combining said blurred first, second and third component light beams with a combining prism to form a complete image; and directing said complete image through a print lens assembly to expose said photosensitive media.
- 33. A method according to claim 32, wherein at least one of said blur filters is rotated.
- 34. A method according to claim 32, wherein at least one of said blur filters is rotated.
- 35. A method according to claim 1, wherein the print lens assembly magnifies the complete image onto said photosensitive media.
- 36. A method according to claim 1, wherein the print lens assembly demagnifies the complete image onto said photosensitive media.
- 37. A method according to claim 1, wherein the print lens assembly is switchable between an assembly that magnifies an image to one that demagnifies an image onto said photosensitive media.
- 38. A method according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said spatial light modulators is temperature controlled.
- 39. A method according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said spatial light modulators has a temperature maintained at a level above ambient temperature to increase an efficiency of said at least one spatial light modulator.
- 40. A method of printing an image onto a photosensitive media comprising the steps of:
Uniformizing light from a light source by passing said light through a uniformizing optics assembly to form uniform illumination at a plurality of spatial light modulators; passing said first uniformized imaging light through a first polarization beamsplitter element to produce a first polarization state of said first imaging light and a second polarization state of first imaging light; directing said first polarized first imaging light to a first spatial light modulator to create a telecentric illumination at said first spatial light modulator; addressing said first spatial light modulator with a first signal to create a first modulated light beam; passing said first modulated light beam back through said first polarizing beamsplitting element to form a polarized first modulated light beam; imaging a second light wavelength from a second light source through a uniformizing optics assembly to form a second uniformized imaging light; passing said second uniformized imaging light through a second polarization beamsplitter element to produce a first polarization state of said second imaging light and a second polarization state of said second imaging light; directing said first polarized second imaging light to a second spatial light modulator to create a telecentric illumination at said second spatial light modulator; addressing said second spatial light modulator with a second signal to create a second modulated light beam; passing said second modulated light beam back through said second polarizing beamsplitter element to form a polarized second modulated light beam; imaging a third light wavelength from a third light source through a uniformizing optics assembly to form a third uniformized imaging light; passing said third uniformized imaging light through a third polarization beamsplitter element to produce a first polarization state of said third imaging light and a second polarization state of said third imaging light; directing said first polarized third imaging light to a third spatial light modulator to create a telecentric illumination at said third spatial light modulator; addressing said third spatial light modulator with a third signal to create a third modulated light beam; passing said third modulated light beam back through said third polarizing beamsplitting element to form a polarized third modulated light beam; directing said first, second and third modulated light beams to a cross prism element; combining said first, second, and third blurred light beams with said combining prism to form a complete image; and directing said complete image through a print lens assembly to expose said photosensitive media.
- 41. A method according to claim 40, wherein said first light source emits red light.
- 42. A method according to claim 40, wherein said second light source emits green light.
- 43. A method according to claim 40, wherein said third light source emits blue light.
- 44. A method according to claim 40, wherein at least one said light source is a monochromatic light source.
- 45. A method according to claim 40, wherein at least one said light source is switchable from emitting monochromatic light to emitting polychromatic light.
- 46. A method according to claim 40, wherein said light sources provide imaging light which matches a media sensitivity of said photosensitive media.
- 47. A method according to claim 40, wherein said light sources are provided for a period of time which matches a media sensitivity of said photosensitive media.
- 48. A method according to claim 40, wherein said first light source is a halogen light source with a filtering apparatus that allows only red light to be emitted; wherein said second light source is a halogen light source with a filtering apparatus that allows only green light to be emitted; and wherein said third light source is a halogen light source with filtering that allows only blue light to be emitted.
- 49. A method according to claim 40, wherein said first light source is a broadband visible light source with a selective filtering apparatus that allows red, green or blue light to be emitted; wherein said second light source is a broadband visible light source with a selective filtering apparatus that allows only red, green, or blue light to be emitted; and wherein said third light source is a broadband light source with a selective filtering that allows only red, green or blue light to be emitted.
- 50. A method according to claim 40, wherein said first light source is a two dimensional array of red LEDs; wherein said second light source is a two dimensional array of green LEDs; and wherein said third light source is a two dimensional array of blue LEDs.
- 51. A method according to claim 40, wherein said first, second and third light sources are a two dimensional array of red, green and blue LEDs.
- 52. A method according to claim 40, wherein said first light source is at least one laser capable of emitting red light; wherein said second light source is at least one laser capable of emitting green light; and wherein said third light source is at least one laser capable of emitting blue light.
- 53. A method according to claim 40, wherein said first, second and third light sources consist of at least one laser capable of emitting red, green or blue light.
- 54. A method according to claim 40, comprising the further step of varying the illumination level of at least one of said light source.
- 55. A method according to claim 40, comprising the further step of varying the duration of exposure time.
- 56. A method according to claim 40, comprising the further steps of:
creating an image by exposing said photosensitive media; repositioning said photosensitive media; and exposing said photosensitive media.
- 57. A method according to claim 40, wherein said first, second and third signals are processed simultaneously.
- 58. A meth od according to claim 40, wherein said signals address said spatial light modulators for a period of time which matches a media sensitivity of said photosensitive media.
- 59. A method according to claim 40, wherein the temperature of a least one spatial light modulator is modified to match a media sensitivity of said photosensitive media.
- 60. A method according to claim 40, wherein said first, second, and third signals to address said first, second, and third spatial light modulators are divided into separate bitplanes.
- 61. A method according to claim 40, comprising the further step of varying the backplane voltage of each spatial light modulator.
- 62. A method according to claim 40, wherein said first, second, and third spatial light modulators are each optimized for a discrete range of visible light wavelengths.
- 63. A method according to claim 40, wherein said first spatial light modulator is optimized for red light, said second spatial light modulator is optimized for green light, and said third spatial light modulator is optimized for blue light.
- 64. A method according to claim 40, wherein said spatial light modulators include a plurality of modulators sites, said modulator sites being adapted to rotate a polarization state of incident light, and reflect said light through said spatial light modulators and back to said polarization beamsplitter elements.
- 65. A method according to claim 64, comprising the further steps of:
moving at least one of said spatial light modulators a distance of between p/4 to 3p/4 wherein p is the size of an individual modulator site; and imaging said photosensitive media with new image data.
- 66. A method according to claim 64, wherein at least one of said spatial light modulators is mounted on a frame which is movable in at least two directions.
- 67. A method according to claim 64, wherein said first, second, and third spatial light modulators are moved in synchronization.
- 68. A method according to claim 40, comprising the further steps of:
passing said polarized first modulated light component through a first blur filter to form a first blurred light component; passing said polarized second modulated light component through a second blur filter to form a second blurred light component; passing said polarized third modulated light component through a third blur filter to form a third blurred light component; directing said first, second and third blurred light components towards said combining prism element; combining said blurred first, second and third blurred light component beams with a combining prism to form a complete image; and directing said complete image through a print lens assembly to expose said photosensitive media.
- 69. A method according to claim 40, wherein the print lens assembly magnifies the complete image onto the photosensitive media.
- 70. A method according to claim 40, wherein the print lens assembly demagnifies the complete image onto the photosensitive media.
- 71. A method according to claim 40, wherein the print lens assembly is switchable between an assembly that magnifies an image to one that demagnifies an image onto said photosensitive media.
- 72. An apparatus for printing an image onto a photosensitive media comprising:
a light source for providing light; a uniformizing optics assembly for uniformizing said light; a separator situated relative to said uniformizing optics, wherein said separates said uniformized light into first, second and third light components; a first polarizing beamsplitter element, wherein said first polarizing beamsplitter element separates said first light component into a first polarization state and a second polarization state; a first spatial light modulator, wherein said first spatial light modulator is illuminated by said first polarization state first light component in a telecentric manner and said first spatial light modulator creates first modulated light; a first blur filter, which blurs said first modulated light; a second polarizing beamsplitter element, wherein said second polarizing beamsplitter element separates said second light component into a first polarization state and a second polarization state; a second spatial light modulator, wherein said second spatial light modulator is illuminated by said first polarization state second light component in a telecentric manner and said second spatial light modulator creates second modulated light; a second blur filter which blurs said second modulated light; a third polarizing beamsplitter element, wherein said third polarizing beamsplitter element is capable of separating said third light component into a first polarization state and a second polarization state; a third spatial light modulator, wherein said third spatial light modulator is illuminated by said first polarization state third light component in a telecentric manner and said third spatial light modulator creates third modulated light; a third blur filter which blurs said third modulated light; a combining prism, wherein said combining prism combines said blurred first, second, and third modulated light; a print lens, wherein said print lens directs said combined light to a photosensitive media; and wherein said imaging light from said light source is provided for a period of time which matches a media sensitivity of said photosensitive media.
- 73. An apparatus according to claim 72, wherein said light source is a monochromatic light source.
- 74. An apparatus according to claim 72, wherein said light source is switchable from providing monochromatic light to providing polychromatic light.
- 75. An apparatus according to claim 72, wherein said light source is a broadband visible source.
- 76. An apparatus according to claim 72, wherein said light source is a halogen light source.
- 77. An apparatus according to claim 72, wherein said light source is a two dimensional array of red, green, and blue LEDs.
- 78. An apparatus according to claim 72, wherein said light source is at least one laser.
- 79. An apparatus according to claim 72, wherein said separator of uniformized imaging light into first, second, and third light components is achieved with filters or dichroics.
- 80. An apparatus according to claim 72, wherein said separator consists of a red dichroic mirror and a blue dichroic mirror oriented in a cross configuration.
- 81. An apparatus according to claim 72, wherein said combiner prism is a combining prism.
- 82. An apparatus according to claim 72, wherein said spatial light modulators are comprised of modulator sites which are adapted to rotate a polarization state of incident light and reflect the light through the spatial light modulators and back to the beamsplitting elements.
- 83. An apparatus according to claim 72, wherein said first, second, and third spatial light modulators are each optimized for a discrete range of visible light wavelengths.
- 84. An apparatus according to claim 72, wherein said first spatial light modulator is optimized for red light, said second spatial light modulator is optimized for green light, and said third spatial light modulator is optimized for blue light.
- 85. An apparatus according to claim 72, wherein at least one said spatial light modulator is mounted on a frame which is movable in at least two directions.
- 86. An apparatus according to claim 72, further comprising:
a polarization element located upstream from said first polarization beamsplitting element; a polarization element located upstream from said second polarization beamsplitting element; and a polarization element located upstream from said third polarization beamsplitting element.
- 87. An apparatus according to claim 72, further comprising:
a polarization element located downstream from said first polarization beamsplitting element; a polarization element located downstream from said second polarization beamsplitting element; and a polarization element located downstream from said third polarization beamsplitting element.
- 88. An apparatus according to claim 72, wherein the print lens assembly magnifies the complete image onto the photosensitive media.
- 89. A apparatus according to claim 72, wherein the print lens assembly demagnifies the complete image onto the photosensitive media.
- 90. An apparatus according to claim 72, wherein the print lens assembly is switchable between an assembly that magnifies an image to one that demagnifies an image onto said photosensitive media.
- 91. An apparatus for printing an image onto a photosensitive media comprising:
a first light source for providing a first light wavelength; a uniformizing optics assembly for uniformizing said first light wavelength; a first polarizing beamsplitter element, wherein said first polarizing beamsplitter element separates said uniformized first light wavelength into a first polarization state and a second polarization state; a first spatial light modulator, wherein said first spatial light modulator is illuminated by said first polarization state first light wavelength in a telecentric manner and said first spatial light modulator creates a first modulated light; a first blur filter, capable of blurring said first modulated light; a second light source for providing a second light wavelength; a uniformizing optics assembly for uniformizing said second light wavelength; a second polarizing beamsplitter element, wherein said second polarizing beamsplitter element separates said uniformized second light wavelength into a first polarization state and a second polarization state; a second spatial light modulator, wherein said second spatial light modulator is illuminated by said first polarization state second light wavelength in a telecentric manner and said second spatial light modulator creates a second modulated light; a second blur filter, capable of blurring said second modulated light; a third light source for providing a third light wavelength; a uniformizing optics assembly for uniformizing said third light wavelength; a third polarizing beamsplitter element, wherein said third polarizing beamsplitter element is capable of separating said uniformized third light wavelength into a first polarization state and a second polarization state; a third spatial light modulator, wherein said third spatial light modulator is illuminated by said first polarization state third light wavelength in a telecentric manner and said third spatial light modulator creates a third modulated light; a third blur filter, capable of blurring said third modulated light; a combiner prism, wherein said combiner prism is capable of combining said blurred first, second, and third modulated light; a print lens, wherein said print lens directs said combined light to a photosensitive media; and wherein said imaging light from said light source is provided for a period of time which matches a media sensitivity of said photosensitive media.
- 92. An apparatus according to claim 91, wherein at least one of said light sources is a monochromatic light source.
- 93. An apparatus according to claim 91, wherein at least one light source is switchable from providing monochromatic light to providing polychromatic light.
- 94. An apparatus according to claim 91, wherein:
said first light source is a broadband visible source with a filter to allow only red light to be emitted; said second light source is a broadband visible source with a filter to allow only green light to be emitted; and said third light source is a broadband visible source with a filter to allow only blue light to be emitted.
- 95. An apparatus according to claim 91, wherein:
said first light source is a broadband visible source with a switchable filter to allow red, green or blue light to be emitted; said second light source is a broadband visible source with a switchable filter to allow red, green or blue light to be emitted; and said third light source is a broadband visible source with a switchable filter to allow red, green or blue light to be emitted.
- 96. An apparatus according to claim 91, wherein:
said first light source is a halogen light source with a filter to allow only red light to be emitted; said second light source is a halogen light source with a filter to allow only green light to be emitted; and said third light source is a halogen light source with a filter to allow only blue light to be emitted.
- 97. An apparatus according to claim 91, wherein:
said first light source is a halogen light source with a switchable filter to allow red, green or blue light to be emitted; said second light source is a halogen light source with a switchable filter to allow red, green or blue light to be emitted; and said third light source is a halogen light source with a switchable filter to allow red, green or blue light to be emitted.
- 98. An apparatus according to claim 91, wherein said first, second and third light sources are a two dimensional array of red, green, and blue LEDs.
- 99. An apparatus according to claim 91, wherein said first light source is an array of red LEDs.
- 100. An apparatus according to claim 91, wherein said second light source is an array of green LEDs.
- 101. An apparatus according to claim 91, wherein said third light source is an array of blue LEDs.
- 102. An apparatus according to claim 91, wherein said first, second and third light sources are at least one laser.
- 103. An apparatus according to claim 91, wherein said first light source is a laser that emits red light.
- 104. An apparatus according to claim 91, wherein said second light source is a laser that emits green light.
- 105. An apparatus according to claim 91, wherein said third light source is a laser that emits blue light.
- 106. An apparatus according to claim 91, wherein said first, second and third light source are capable of emitting red, green and blue light.
- 107. An apparatus according to claim 91, wherein said combiner prism is a combining prism.
- 108. An apparatus according to claim 91, wherein said spatial light modulators are comprised of modulator sites which are adapted to rotate a polarization state of incident light and reflect the light through the spatial light modulators and back to the beamsplitting elements.
- 109. An apparatus according to claim 91, wherein said first, second, and third spatial light modulators are each optimized for a discrete range of visible light wavelengths.
- 110. An apparatus according to claim 91, wherein said first spatial light modulator is optimized for red light, said second spatial light modulator is optimized for green light, and said third spatial light modulator is optimized for blue light.
- 111. An apparatus according to claim 91, wherein at least one said spatial light modulator is mounted on a frame which is movable in at least two directions.
- 112. An apparatus according to claim 91, further comprising:
a polarization element located upstream from said first polarization beamsplitting element; a polarization element located upstream from said second polarization beamsplitting element; and a polarization element located upstream from said third polarization beamsplitting element.
- 113. An apparatus according to claim 91, further comprising:
a polarization element located downstream from said first polarization beamsplitting element; a polarization element located downstream from said second polarization beamsplitting element; and a polarization element located downstream from said third polarization beamsplitting element.
- 114. An apparatus according to claim 91, wherein the print lens assembly magnifies the complete image onto the photosensitive media.
- 115. An apparatus according to claim 91, wherein the print lens assembly demagnifies the complete image onto the photosensitive media.
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] Reference is made to commonly-assigned copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/606,891, filed Jun. 29, 2000, entitled A METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CORRECTING DEFECTS IN A SPATIAL LIGHT MODULATOR BASED PRINTING SYSTEM by William Barnick, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein.