Color spatial light modulator and color printer using the same

A color spatial light modulator which forms an image on a photosensitive material, comprising:

• at least one micromirror array having a plurality of micromirrors;
• means for tilting said micromirrors at an angle from horizontal to achieve an image forming optical path;
• a package for accommodating said at least one micromirror array, said package being of a box shape having an opening in the upper portion thereof;
• a transparent plate for closing the opening of said package;
• and
• filter means fixedly disposed on said transparent plate in correspondence with each micromirror for at least one of transmitting and absorbing light of specific wavelengths such that image forming light is transmitted along said image forming optical path to form said image on said photosensitive material.

A color printer for printing a color image on a photosensitive material, comprising:

• color spatial light modulator means for spatially modulating light comprising at least one red micromirror array, at least one green micromirror array, and at least one blue micromirror array, said red micromirror array having a plurality of micromirrors disposed in line and fixedly formed with a red filter, said green micromirror array having a plurality of micromirrors disposed in line and fixedly formed with a green filter, and said blue micromirror array having a plurality of micromirrors disposed in line and fixedly formed with a blue filter;
• means for tilting said micromirrors at an angle from horizontal to achieve an image forming optical path;
• means for driving said spatial light modulator means in accordance with red, blue, and green image data of one line to control a tilt of each micromirror;
• a white light source for illuminating said spatial light modulator means with white light;
• and
• a projector optical system for projecting three-color line light beams reflected from said micromirror arrays along said image forming optical path to form said image on the photosensitive material.

A color spatial light modulator which forms an image on a photosensitive material, comprising:

• at least one micromirror array having a plurality of micromirrors;
• a tilt mechanism which tilts said micromirrors at an angle from horizontal to achieve an image forming optical path;
• and
• a filter fixedly disposed on each of said micromirrors for at least one of transmitting and absorbing light of specific wavelengths such that image forming light is transmitted along said image forming optical path to form said image on said photosensitive material.

A color spatial light modulator which forms an image on a photosensitive material, comprising:

• at least one micromirror array having a plurality of micromirrors;
• a tilt mechanism which tilts said micromirrors at an angle from horizontal to achieve an image forming optical path;
• a package for accommodating said at least one micromirror array, said package being of a box shape having an opening in the upper portion thereof;
• a transparent plate for closing the opening of said package;
• and
• a filter fixedly disposed on said transparent plate in correspondence with each micromirror for at least one of transmitting and absorbing light of specific wavelengths such that image forming light is transmitted along said image forming optical path to form said image on said photosensitive material.

A color printer for printing a color image on a photosensitive material, comprising:

• a color spatial light modulator comprising at least one red micromirror array, at least one green micromirror array, and at least one blue micromirror array, said red micromirror array having a plurality of micromirrors disposed in line and fixedly formed with a red filter, said green micromirror array having a plurality of micromirrors disposed in line and fixedly formed with a green filter, and said blue micromirror array having a plurality of micromirrors disposed in line and fixedly formed with a blue filter;
• a tilt mechanism which tilts said micromirrors at an angle from horizontal to achieve an image forming optical path;
• a driver for driving said color spatial light modulator in accordance with red, blue, and green image data of one line to control a tilt of each micromirror;
• a white light source for illuminating said color spatial light modulator with white light;
• and
• a projector optical system for projecting three-color line light beams reflected from said micromirror arrays along said image forming optical path to form said image on the photosensitive material.