Aperture for illuminating micromirror arrays having mirror tilt axis not parallel with an array axis

An aperture plate configured for use with an image generating system which includes:

• a light source for generating a beam of light, the beam of light including a plurality of substantially parallel light rays, and
• a mirror array including a plurality of switch positionable mirrors, the mirror array being surrounded by regions that can be damaged by the beam of light, the mirror array positioned in relationship to the light source to receive at least a portion of the beam of light from the light source and to reflect at least a portion of the received beam of light, wherein the aperture plate is configured to be positioned between the light source and the mirror array, wherein the incident light direction is from the light source to the mirror array, the aperture plate comprising:
• an open area including a main portion and a tab portion, the main portion located on a side of the tab portion distal from an incident light direction of the received beam of light, the open area sized and positioned to allow rays of the beam of light to be apertured only through the tab portion and reflections of the apertured rays of the beam of light to exit only through the main portion of the aperture plate, wherein the main portion and the tab portion are within a same plane wherein the main portion and tab portion are distinct from each other and are sized differently from each other;
• and
• an opaque area configured to surround at least a portion of the open area and positioned wherein at least some of the reflections of the apertured rays are intercepted by a back side of the opaque area of the aperture plate.