Claims
- 1. An electro-optic line printer comprising
- an electro-optic element;
- means for applying a light beam to said electro-optic element, said light beam being collimated laterally of said electro-optic element;
- a photosensitive recording medium;
- means for advancing said recording medium at a predetermined rate in a cross line direction relative to said electro-optic element;
- a rectilinear, two dimensional, planar array of electrodes intimately associated with said electro-optic element, said array including a plurality of separate rows and columns of electrodes, with the electrodes of each row being spaced apart laterally of said electro-optic element;
- means for applying respective sets of data samples to the electrodes of each of said rows, each of said data sample sets representing picture elements for a respective line of an image, whereby said electrodes couple electric fields into said electro-optic element to spatially modulate said light beam essentially simultaneously along a plurality of transverse axes in accordance with the picture elements for respective lines of said image; and
- read out means optically aligned between said electro-optic element and said recording medium for imparting an intensity profile to said light beam corresponding to the spatial modulation thereof, whereby said recording medium is exposed in accordance with said picture elements for said lines of said image.
- 2. The electro-optic line printer of claim 1 wherein
- said electro-optic element has a reflecting surface,
- said light beam is applied to said electro-optic element at a grazing angle of incidence relative to said reflecting surface for total internal reflection therefrom,
- said electrodes are proximate said reflecting surface to couple electric fringe fields into said electro-optic element in response to said data samples, and
- said light beam illuminates said reflecting surface over an area which is substantially coextensive with said array, whereby the internally reflected light beam is spatially modulated in accordance with the picture elements for said lines of said image.
- 3. The electro-optic line printer of claim 2 wherein
- said data sample sets represent picture elements for adjacent lines of said image, and
- further including means for shifting each of said data sample sets from one of said electrode rows to the next as said recording medium advances a predetermined line pitch distance relative to said electro-optic element, whereby said recording medium is repeatedly exposed to substantially registered images of each of said lines.
- 4. The electro-optic line printer of claim 3 wherein
- said input data samples are differentially encoded for application to said electrodes, and
- said electrodes are supported closely adjacent the reflecting surface of said electro-optic element to proximity couple said fringe fields into said electro-optic element.
Parent Case Info
This is a division of application Ser. No. 309,650, filed Oct. 8, 1981 now issued Nov. 6, 1984 as U.S. Pat. No. 4,480,899.
US Referenced Citations (9)
Divisions (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
309650 |
Oct 1981 |
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