Patent ID: 7590966

Claim:
A method for writing an image on a workpiece using a rasterizing module and a spatial light modulator (SLM) with a plurality of micromechanical pixel elements, the method comprising: receiving a fractured pattern data representation of the image at a rasterizing module; creating, in the rasterizing module, a multi-valued bitmap representation of the image from the fractured pattern data representation of the image, wherein a plurality of pixel values greater than two are available for describing deflection of each micromechanical pixel element; receiving, at the SLM, the multi-valued bitmap representation of the image, wherein a pixel value in the multi-valued bitmap is used for generating a higher deflection in a micromechanical pixel element of the SLM; illuminating the SLM; and projecting the image of the SLM on the workpiece, wherein the higher deflection in the micromechanical pixel element is corresponding to a negative amplitude contribution to a wavefront of the image of the SLM projected on the workpiece.