Anamorphic Imaging System for High-Resolution Laser Printing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current laser imaging systems face challenges in achieving high resolution and high power imaging across large areas in a single pass due to limitations in optical performance, power levels, and hardware constraints, making it difficult to combine high resolution and high speed imaging with large process widths and high optical power.
Innovation Solution
A single-pass imaging system utilizing a homogenous light generator, a spatial light modulator with individually controllable light modulating elements, and an anamorphic optical system to concentrate light into a narrow scan line image, allowing for high power and high resolution imaging without requiring high intensity light sources to pass through spatial light modulators, enabling scalable and seamless imaging across large areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If high power laser arrays are used to achieve high optical power, then power levels in the 100 mW - 100 Watts range are achieved, but the laser pitch between nearest neighbors is not compatible with 600 dpi or higher imaging resolution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the high power laser output into multiple lower power beams using beam splitting optics. This allows the system to maintain high total optical power while achieving fine spatial resolution through the segmented beam structure, resolving the contradiction between power and resolution compatibility
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the spatial arrangement by projecting the laser pattern through multiple dimensions using projection optics. This dimensional transformation enables high resolution imaging at a distance while maintaining high optical power, decoupling the laser pitch constraint from the imaging resolution requirement
2Area of stationary object
If LED arrays are used to achieve large width imaging, then imaging across large areas is enabled, but power levels are limited to 10 milliWatt per pixel
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces high power laser as an intermediary light source that couples with spatial light modulators. This intermediary approach enables large area imaging with high power levels, bridging the gap between LED's large area capability and laser's high power capability
3Manufacturing precision
If double pass scanning configuration is used to achieve high resolution imaging, then continuous high resolution image can be formed, but system complexity and overhead hardware real estate increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by pre-forming the complete high resolution image pattern in a single pass using spatial light modulators. This eliminates the need for double pass scanning, reducing system complexity while maintaining high resolution imaging capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical scanning systems with spatial light modulator-based optical patterning. This substitution eliminates complex mechanical scanning components and enables single-pass high resolution imaging, directly reducing device complexity
4Illumination intensity
If high intensity light sources are used to achieve high power imaging, then optical intensity is increased, but the light source must pass through spatial light modulators which limits power levels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional approach by using spatial light modulators to pattern high power laser light rather than using SLMs to generate low power light patterns. This inversion enables high power levels to pass through the modulator system, achieving both high optical intensity and high power imaging
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system achieves high total optical intensity on the scan line image, facilitating reliable high power imaging for applications like printing and lithography, with the ability to generate high resolution and high speed imaging in a single pass, overcoming previous limitations in resolution and power distribution.
Implementation Method 1
an anamorphic optical system positioned to receive said modulated light portions from said each modulating element disposed in said first modulated state, and arranged to concentrate said modulated light portions such that the concentrated modulated light portions produce an elongated scan line image
Implementation Method 2
a spatial light modulator including: a plurality of light modulating elements arranged in a two-dimensional array and disposed in the homogenous light field such that each said modulating element receives an associated homogenous light portion of the homogenous light
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2(A)~2(C)
Figure 3(A)~3(B)
AI summary
A single-pass imaging system (100) for a printing apparatus capable of 1200 dpi or greater that includes a homogenous light generator (110) for generating homogenous light (118A) from high energy IR lasers, a spatial light modulator (120) including light modulating elements (125) arranged in a two-dimensional array, and an anamorphic optical system (130). The light modulating elements (125) are disposed such that each modulating element receives an associated homogenous light portion, and is individually adjustable between an "on" modulated state and an "off" modulated state, whereby in the "on" modulated state each modulating element modulates its received homogenous light portion such that an associated modulated light portion is directed onto a corresponding region of the anamorphic optical system. In the second modulated state, the associated homogenous light portion is prevented (e.g., blocked) from passing to the anamorphic optical system. The anamorphic optical system then anamorphically concentrates the modulated light portions to form a scan line image.