Method and apparatus for printing high resolution images using multiple reflective spatial light modulators

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.

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.

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.