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29 September 2004 Optical systems for laser thermal printing
Andrew F. Kurtz
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Proceedings Volume 5525, Laser Beam Shaping V; (2004) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.554057
Event: Optical Science and Technology, the SPIE 49th Annual Meeting, 2004, Denver, Colorado, United States
Abstract
This paper is an overview of the optical designs used in array-type multispot laser thermal printers. A variety of unique systems have been developed for high-power high-throughput printing applications where laser light is generally transformed into a linear arrangement of modulated beams focused onto light-sensitive media. The typical light source is a monolithic laser diode array that emits a series of anamorphic partially coherent infrared beams. An optical system, comprising anamorphic, micro-optics, and designed according to principles from classical imaging optics, illumination optics, and Gaussian beam optics, is needed to conduct the light to the media. Special optical components, including rod lenses, laser smile correctors, or spatial light modulator arrays may be employed. Because the printing applications are highly sensitive to repetitive artifacts, the designs typically provide light source redundancy and light homogenization. The interaction of the incident light with the thermal media can also affect the design. These various optical design issues, and a number of design solutions, are the subjects of this review paper.
© (2004) COPYRIGHT Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE). Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
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Andrew F. Kurtz "Optical systems for laser thermal printing", Proc. SPIE 5525, Laser Beam Shaping V, (29 September 2004); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.554057
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KEYWORDS
Printing
Modulators
Nonimpact printing
Semiconductor lasers
Laser optics
Laser development
Modulation
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