Patent ID: 7846649
Filing Date: 2010-12-07
Classification: G03F

Abstract:
1. A method for printing an image on an object, comprising: directing, as part of a first printing iteration of a printing apparatus, collimated light beams towards modulation areas of a programmable spatial light modulator (SLM), the programmable SLM being configured to provide a first selected intermediate image scheme corresponding to a first intermediate image to be printed on said object, modulating the collimated light beams to produce a first array of light entities corresponding to the first selected intermediate image scheme, and directing the first array of light entities from the programmable SLM via relay optics and a pair of micro lens arrays (MLAs) towards the object on which the image is to be printed thereby printing said first intermediate image on said object at a first resolution determined by optical characteristics of the printing apparatus; directing, as part of a second printing iteration of the printing apparatus, the collimated light beams towards the modulation areas of the programmable SLM, the programmable SLM being configured to provide a second selected intermediate image scheme corresponding to a second intermediate image to be printed on said object, modulating the collimated light beams to produce a second array of light entities corresponding to the second selected intermediate image scheme, and directing the second array of light entities from the programmable SLM via the relay optics and the pair of MLAs towards the object on which the image is to be printed thereby printing said second intermediate image on said object at a second resolution, wherein said second selected intermediate image scheme includes an interference pattern having a period smaller than the first resolution and said second resolution is finer than said first resolution; and translating, during the printing of each of the first intermediate image and the second intermediate image, the object relative to respective ones of the first and second arrays of light entities to expose the object with the image.