Twisted kaleido

A system, comprising:

• two or more stages, wherein the two or more stages are configured to hold one or more substrates;
• and
• a plurality of image projection apparatuses for patterning the one or more substrates, wherein each image projection apparatus comprises:
• an illumination system, comprising:
• a light pipe having an elongated rectangular body that has:
• an input face for accepting light into the elongated rectangular body, the input face disposed substantially orthogonal to a longitudinal axis of the elongated rectangular body;
• and
• an output face for releasing light from the elongated rectangular body, the output face disposed substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal axis, wherein the elongated rectangular body has a twist along the longitudinal axis so that the input face and the output face are twisted relative to each other;
• and
• a laser light source coupled with the light pipe.

A method of shaping a beam of illumination, comprising:

• directing light into a light pipe at an input face of the light pipe, wherein the light pipe has an elongated rectangular body and the input face is disposed substantially orthogonal to a longitudinal axis of the elongated rectangular body;
• propagating the directed light by total internal reflection through the light pipe to an output face of the light pipe, the output face disposed substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal axis;
• and
• allowing the propagated light to emanate from the output face, wherein the elongated rectangular body has a twist along the longitudinal axis.