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Abstract

An optical image forming method and device, an image forming apparatus, and an aligner for lithography, capable of forming a light image at a high pixel density and enhancing the intensity of irradiated light to each pixel by effectively utilizing reflected light from respective mirrors of a spatial light modulator. The optical image forming device has a light source, a DMD including a plurality of mirrors, each capable of independently controlling the inclination of a reflecting surface thereof for reflecting light from the light source, wherein reflected light from the DMD is irradiated to an object moving in one direction relative to the reflected light to form a light image on the object. The respective mirrors of the DMD are arranged such that reflected light images therefrom are aligned on the object in a direction orthogonal to the direction of the relative movement, with a pitch smaller than the pitch p of the mirrors. A controller controls the inclination of the reflecting surface of each of the mirrors. A microlens including a plurality of lenses converges reflected light from corresponding mirrors of the DMD onto the object.

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First Claim