Recorder Spot Size and Its Effect on Image Quality and Halftone Reproduction

Many important factors must be considered when designing a digital photographic and/or thermal imaging system. Some of these considerations are: resolving power, contrast ratio, addressability, rise and fall times of the circuitry, pixel time, pulse length, spot size and media characteristics. This paper investigates the effect that spot size has on halftone image quality as well as how it affects exposure latitude, focus latitude, resolving power and image press life. Significant differences between photographic and thermal systems are highlighted.