Patent ID: 6898335
Filing Date: 2005-05-24
Classification: B41J,G02B

Abstract:
1. An exposure head, comprising: an optical modulator which includes: an optical waveguide for receiving light entered from a first end surface thereof and for emitting the light from a second end surface opposing to the first end surface; a plurality of flexible light transmitting members, disposed so as to face with a boundary surface of said optical waveguide and has a gap between the flexible members and the boundary surface of the optical waveguide, said plurality of flexible light transmitting members being arranged in a direction orthogonal to a traveling direction of the light in the optical waveguide; and a modulation device for bringing said plurality of flexible light transmitting members into contact with the boundary surface of the optical waveguide, said modulation device being set in correspondence with each of said plurality of flexible light transmitting members; and a light source allowing the light to enter into the first end surface on a light incidence side of the optical waveguide, wherein said modulation device switches functions of said optical waveguide with respect to the plurality of flexible light transmitting members, one function being that at least one of the flexible light transmitting members is brought into contact with the boundary surface of said optical waveguide to stop emitting of the light propagating in said optical waveguide from said second end surface to direct light outside via the boundary surface, another function being that said at least one flexible light transmitting member is brought into a non-contact condition with respect to the boundary surface of said optical waveguide to emit the light propagating in said optical waveguide, and wherein said light emitting from said second end surface of said optical waveguide to outside is used for image exposure.