A single-pass imaging system (100) for a printing apparatus capable of 1200 dpi or greater that includes a homogenous light generator (110) for generating homogenous light (118A) from high energy IR lasers, a spatial light modulator (120) including light modulating elements (125) arranged in a two-dimensional array, and an anamorphic optical system (130). The light modulating elements (125) are disposed such that each modulating element receives an associated homogenous light portion, and is individually adjustable between an "on" modulated state and an "off" modulated state, whereby in the "on" modulated state each modulating element modulates its received homogenous light portion such that an associated modulated light portion is directed onto a corresponding region of the anamorphic optical system. In the second modulated state, the associated homogenous light portion is prevented (e.g., blocked) from passing to the anamorphic optical system. The anamorphic optical system then anamorphically concentrates the modulated light portions to form a scan line image.