Abstract:
A method of determining presence of variations in interline spacing in a first image comprising a first plurality of parallel lines of pixels comprising: providing a second image comprising a second plurality of parallel lines; orienting the images so that the lines in the first and second pluralities are superimposed and angled with respect to each other to generate an interference image comprising a Moiré interference pattern; and using the Moiré interference pattern to determine presence of said variations.
Abstract:
A method of, and apparatus for, reducing the visibility of banding artifacts on a printed medium comprising producing synthetic artifacts on the printed medium, overlapping scan lines at swath boundaries and controlling exposure along a scan line to reduce the visibility of the banding artifacts.
Abstract:
Laser pulses are selected from a group of closely spaced laser pulses with an optical modulator by adjusting pulse timing relative to an impingement interval. An adjusted pulse is moved from an impingement interval to a non-impingement interval and is blocked. The blocked laser source is stabilized by running nearly continuously. Pulse selection with multiple laser sources is achieved with a single acousto-optic modulator.
Abstract:
A method of determining presence of variations in interline spacing in a first image comprising a first plurality of parallel lines of pixels comprising: providing a second image comprising a second plurality of parallel lines; orienting the images so that the lines in the first and second pluralities are superimposed and angled with respect to each other to generate an interference image comprising a Moiré interference pattern; and using the Moiré interference pattern to determine presence of said variations.
Abstract:
This invention relates to a method of laser power uniformity calibration, comprising: printing a first pattern by a first laser beam; moving the first laser beam to print a second pattern such that the second pattern is located at a predetermined distance from the first pattern; printing the first and second patterns by a second laser beam; comparing the first and second patterns printed by the first and second laser beams; and optionally adjusting a power in the first and second laser beams.
Abstract:
A high-speed method and system for precisely positioning a waist of a material-processing laser beam to dynamically compensate for local variations in height of microstructures located on a plurality of objects spaced apart within a laser-processing site are provided. In the preferred embodiment, the microstructures are a plurality of conductive lines formed on a plurality of memory dice of a semiconductor wafer. The system includes a focusing lens subsystem for focusing a laser beam along an optical axis substantially orthogonal to a plane, an x-y stage for moving the wafer in the plane, and a first air bearing sled for moving the focusing lens subsystem along the optical axis.
Abstract:
A method of determining a start of scan time in a laser scanning system utilizing a scanning reflector, comprising: directing a laser beam toward the scanning reflector so as to be reflected by the scanning reflector; returning the laser beam reflected from the scanning reflector toward the scanning reflector for at least one additional reflection from the scanning reflector; detecting the laser beam reflected at least twice from the scanning reflector; and controlling the start of scan of the scanning system, responsive to the detection of the laser beam.
Abstract:
A scanner for scanning a beam across a surface, such as a photosensitive surface or a document, the scanner comprising: a plurality of multi-faceted polygon disks, mounted for common rotation on an axis; a plurality of data modulated beams, wherein one of said beams is configured to impinge on the facets of one of the disks and be reflected therefrom toward the surface.
Abstract:
An optical scanning apparatus, a system and a method of optical scanning independently determine illumination spot size and spacing. The apparatus includes an array of optical emitters to provide a plurality of optical beams and a plurality of microlenses to receive the optical beams. The microlenses form an intermediate image of the array at substantially unity array magnification. The apparatus further includes an adjustable collimator to receive the plurality of optical beams from the intermediate image, a beam scanner to scan the optical beams in an in-scan direction, and a scan lens to focus the scanned optical beams. An arrangement of illumination spots forms an image of the array.
Abstract:
An anamorphic optical element and an adjustment mechanism for selectively rotating the optical element either around an axis substantially in a vertical direction, an axis substantially in an optical axis direction, an axis substantially in a plane formed by the vertical direction and the optical axis direction, or combination of axes thereof is used to vary a vertical separation between two or more spots.