Electromechanical grating display system with segmented waveplate

An optical subsystem, comprising:

• an electromechanical grating device that receives illumination from a light source;
• a polarization sensitive element for passing diffracted light beams dependent on their polarization state;
• and
• a segmented waveplate that alters the polarization state of a discrete number of selected diffracted light beams wherein the segmented waveplate is located between the electromechanical grating device and the polarization sensitive element.

A printing system for printing on a light sensitive medium, comprising:

• a light source providing illumination;
• a linear array of electromechanical grating devices of at least two individually operable devices receiving the illumination wherein a grating period is oriented at a predetermined angle with respect to an axis of the linear array wherein the angle is large enough to separate diffracted light beams prior to a projection lens system that creates an image;
• a polarization sensitive element that passes diffracted light beams dependent on their polarization state;
• a segmented waveplate that alters the polarization state of a discrete number of selected diffracted light beams wherein the segmented waveplate is located between the linear array and the polarization sensitive element;
• and
• a controller for providing a data stream to the individually operable devices.