Optical modulator, exposure head and image recording apparatus

Abstract

The optical modulator 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 flexible light transmitting member disposed so as to face with a boundary surface of the optical waveguide and has a gap between the flexible light transmitting member and the boundary surface of the optical waveguide and a modulation device for bringing the flexible light transmitting member into contact with the boundary surface of the optical waveguide. The other optical modulator includes the above optical waveguide, a modulation member having a light interference film, disposed such that a surface of the light interference film faces the first end surface on a light emission side of the optical waveguide and a driving device for changing an angle of the modulation member with respect to the light emitted from the optical waveguide. The exposure head includes one of these optical modulator and a light source allowing the light to enter into the first end surface on a light incidence side of the optical waveguide. The image recording apparatus includes the above exposure head and a scanning device for relatively moving a photosensitive material and the exposure head.

1 - 9 . (canceled)  
     
     
         10 . An optical modulator, comprising: 
 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 modulation member having a light interference film, disposed such that a surface of the light interference film faces the first end surface on a light emission side of the optical waveguide; and    a driving device for changing an angle of said modulation member with respect to the light emitted from said optical waveguide.    
     
     
         11 . The optical modulator according to  claim 10 , wherein said driving device changes the angle of the modulation member by using static electricity.  
     
     
         12 . The optical modulator according to  claim 10 , wherein a plurality of modulation members which are said modulation member are arranged in a direction orthogonal to a traveling direction of the light in the optical waveguide, and said driving device is set in correspondence with each of said plurality of modulation members.  
     
     
         13 . 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 modulation members each having a light interference film, disposed so that a surface of the light interference film faces the first end surface on a light emission side of the optical waveguide, said plurality of modulation members being arranged in a direction orthogonal to a traveling direction of the light in the optical waveguide; and  
 a driving device for changing each of the angles of said plurality of modulation members with respect to the light emitted from the optical waveguide, said driving device being set in correspondence with each of said plurality of modulation members; and  
   a light source allowing the light to enter into the first end surface on a light incidence side of the optical waveguide.    
     
     
         14 . The exposure head according to  claim 13 , wherein said light source emits the light diffusing in an arrangement direction of said plurality of modulation members, and said optical waveguide has a length in a direction of light transmission so that an amount of the light entered to each of said plurality of modulation members becomes uniform in correspondence with the light diffusion.  
     
     
         15 . The exposure head according to  claim 13 , wherein said light emitted from said light source is directly made incident upon the first end surface on the light incidence side of said optical waveguide.  
     
     
         16 . The exposure head according to  claim 13 , further comprising: 
 a lens disposed between a light emission portion of said light source and the first end surface on the light incidence side of said optical waveguide.    
     
     
         17 . The exposure head according to  claim 13 , further comprising: 
 an imaging optical system for focusing the light emitted from the optical waveguide at a predetermined position.    
     
     
         18 . An image recording apparatus comprising: 
 an exposure head; and    a scanning device for making a photosensitive material and said exposure head move relatively,    said exposure head having:    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 modulation members each having a light interference film, disposed so that a surface of the light interference film faces the first end surface on a light emission side of the optical waveguide; said plurality of modulation members being arranged in a direction orthogonal to a traveling direction of the light in the optical waveguide; and  
 driving device for changing each of the angles of said plurality of modulation members with respect to the light emitted from the waveguide, said driving device being set in correspondence with each of said plurality of modulation members; and  
   a light source allowing the light to enter into the first end surface on a light incidence side of the optical waveguide.