Patent ID: 6288830
Filing Date: 2001-09-11
Classification: B41J,G02B,G03F

Abstract:
An optical image forming method for forming a light image on an object, comprising the steps of:irradiating light from a light source to a spatial light modulator including a plurality of mirrors arranged in an array of mirror rows and mirror columns, with a pitch p for the mirror columns, each of said mirrors capable of independently controlling the inclination of a reflecting surface thereof;irradiating reflected light from said spatial light modulator to an object which moves in a first direction relative to said reflected light;arranging said respective mirrors of said spatial light modulator to reflect light therefrom; andconverging said reflected light from plural of said respective mirrors in one column of said spatial light modulator onto one pixel of said object such that reflected light images from said mirrors of said spatial light modulator are aligned on said object in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction of the relative movement of said object with a pitch smaller than the pitch p of said mirrors.