JP2003124567A - Laser output device and photographic processing system comprising it - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To suppress troubles due to variation in the wavelength of laser beam being emitted from a laser light source. SOLUTION: Peltiier elements 120a-120c and 320a-320c capable of regulating the temperature of laser light sources 101a-101c and PPLN crystals 104a-104c, respectively, are provided. Based on the data concerning to the coloring characteristics of a print sheet set at a print sheet setting section 351, the temperature of the laser light sources 101a-101c is regulated to emit laser beam having a wavelength corresponding to the vicinity of a wavelength for optimizing the density of an image being formed on the print sheet. Subsequently, the temperature of the PPLN crystals 104a-104c is regulated to maximize the conversion efficiency thereof based on the data concerning to the conversion efficiency of the PPLN crystals 104a-104c.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a laser output device used for performing desired processing by emitting laser light, and a photographic processing device having the same.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art There is known a photographic processing apparatus capable of automatically performing processing such as exposure, development and bleach-fixing on a photosensitive medium such as photographic paper. Such a photo processing device includes
A laser output device that emits a laser beam for performing an exposure process on photographic paper is generally provided. Then, the laser beam emitted from the laser output device is guided onto the photographic printing paper to form a latent image of a desired image.

Here, the relationship between the wavelength of the laser beam applied to the printing paper and the density of the image formed on the printing paper at that time (hereinafter referred to as the color development characteristic of the printing paper) is as follows. Depends on the type. Further, the density of the image formed on a certain printing paper changes according to the wavelength of the laser beam with which the printing paper is irradiated. Then, for each printing paper, a wavelength at which the density of the image formed on the printing paper is optimum (for example, the wavelength at which the density is maximum)
Exists. Therefore, the laser output device is provided with a laser light source that emits laser light having a wavelength (which may be a multiple of this wavelength) that optimizes the density of the image formed on the printing paper. Often.

Some laser output devices are equipped with a nonlinear optical crystal for converting the wavelength of laser light emitted from a laser light source. In such a laser output device, the laser light emitted from the laser light source is incident on the non-linear optical crystal, converted into, for example, the second harmonic in the non-linear optical crystal, and then applied to the printing paper. Here, the ratio of the amount of laser light after conversion to the amount of laser light before conversion in the nonlinear optical crystal (hereinafter referred to as conversion efficiency) varies depending on the wavelength of the laser light incident on the nonlinear optical crystal. The conversion efficiency of the nonlinear optical crystal also varies depending on the temperature of the nonlinear optical crystal.

[0005]

However, a laser having the same specifications designed to emit a laser beam having a predetermined wavelength (for example, a wavelength that optimizes the density of an image formed on a certain printing paper). Even with the light source, the wavelength of the laser light emitted from each laser light source may be different from the above-mentioned predetermined wavelength due to individual variation in manufacturing the laser light source. In this way, when the wavelength of the laser light emitted from the laser light source is different from the predetermined design wavelength, the density of the image formed on the printing paper is the density expected in advance for the laser light of that wavelength. Therefore, the desired image cannot be formed properly. Therefore, in order to properly form a desired image, only a laser light source that accurately emits laser light having a predetermined wavelength can be used.

Further, even when a laser light source that accurately emits a laser beam having a wavelength that optimizes the density of an image formed on a certain printing paper is used, another printing paper having different coloring characteristics is used. Since the photographic printing paper is not irradiated with the laser light having the wavelength at which the density of the image formed on the photographic printing paper is optimum, the desired image cannot be properly formed.

Further, even in a laser output device equipped with a nonlinear optical crystal, the wavelength of the laser light emitted from the laser light source does not take into consideration the conversion efficiency in the nonlinear optical crystal, and as described above, It is often determined based on the color development characteristics. Therefore, when the conversion efficiency of the nonlinear optical crystal is small, the output of the laser light source must be increased.

Therefore, a main object of the present invention is to provide a laser output device capable of suppressing the occurrence of defects due to the variation in the wavelength of the light emitted from the light source.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a laser output device capable of properly forming an image on a photosensitive medium regardless of the color developing characteristics of the photosensitive medium.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a laser output device capable of using a light source having a relatively low output by considering the conversion efficiency in a nonlinear optical crystal.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a photographic processing device equipped with the laser output device as described above.

[0012]

In order to achieve the above object, a laser output device according to a first aspect of the present invention is produced by a light source, temperature adjusting means for adjusting the temperature of the light source, and individual variation of the light source. And a control unit for controlling the temperature adjusting unit so as to compensate for variations in the wavelength of the light emitted from the light source.

According to the first aspect, the temperature of the light source is adjusted so as to compensate for the variation in the wavelength of the light emitted from the light source caused by the variation in the individual light sources. Therefore, the variation in the wavelength of the light emitted from the light source is adjusted. It is possible to suppress the occurrence of defects due to Here, for example, when the laser output device of the present invention is used for image formation, it is possible to suppress deterioration of the image formed on the photosensitive medium.

According to a second aspect of the laser output apparatus, the light source, the nonlinear optical crystal for converting the wavelength of the light emitted from the light source, and the first temperature adjustment for adjusting the temperature of the light source. Means, a second temperature adjusting means for adjusting the temperature of the non-linear optical crystal, and the first temperature adjusting means for compensating the wavelength variation of the light emitted from the light source caused by the individual variation of the light source. And the control means for controlling the second temperature adjusting means after controlling the temperature adjusting means.

According to the second aspect, since the temperature of the light source and the nonlinear optical crystal is adjusted so as to compensate for the variation in the wavelength of the light emitted from the light source caused by the individual variation of the light source, the light emitted from the light source is adjusted. It is possible to more effectively suppress the occurrence of a defect due to the variation in the wavelength.

According to another aspect of the laser output apparatus of the present invention, the light source, the storage means for storing the data relating to the color development characteristic of the photosensitive medium, and the type of the photosensitive medium irradiated with light by the light source are set. A setting unit, a temperature adjusting unit for adjusting the temperature of the light source, and an image formed on the photosensitive medium based on the data stored in the storage unit corresponding to the photosensitive medium set by the setting unit. And a control means for controlling the temperature adjusting means so that light having a wavelength corresponding to the vicinity of the wavelength at which the concentration becomes optimum is emitted from the light source.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, based on the data relating to the color forming characteristics of the photosensitive medium set by the setting means, the light having a wavelength corresponding to the vicinity of the wavelength at which the density of the image formed on the photosensitive medium becomes optimum is the light source. Since the temperature of the light source is adjusted so that the light is emitted from the light source, an image can be properly formed on any of a plurality of types of photosensitive media having different color development characteristics.

According to a fourth aspect of the laser output apparatus, the light source, the nonlinear optical crystal for converting the wavelength of the light emitted from the light source, and the light before conversion in each temperature state of the nonlinear optical crystal. Storage means for storing data relating to the ratio of the quantity of converted light to quantity, temperature adjusting means for adjusting the temperature of the light source, and temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the nonlinear optical crystal. , Based on the data stored in the storage means corresponding to the temperature detected by the temperature detecting means, light having a wavelength in the vicinity of the wavelength at which the ratio in the nonlinear optical crystal becomes maximum is incident on the nonlinear optical crystal. Control means for controlling the temperature adjusting means as described above.

According to the fourth aspect, based on the data regarding the conversion efficiency of the nonlinear optical crystal, the light having a wavelength corresponding to the vicinity of the wavelength where the conversion efficiency of the nonlinear optical crystal becomes maximum is incident on the nonlinear optical crystal. Since the temperature of the light source is adjusted, it becomes possible to use a light source having a relatively low output.

According to a fifth aspect of the laser output apparatus, a light source, a non-linear optical crystal for converting the wavelength of the light emitted from the light source, and a first for storing data relating to the color developing characteristics of the photosensitive medium. And a second storage means for storing data relating to the ratio of the amount of light after conversion to the amount of light before conversion in each temperature state of the nonlinear optical crystal, and the light is emitted by the light source. Setting means for setting the type of photosensitive medium, first temperature adjusting means for adjusting the temperature of the light source, and second temperature adjusting means for adjusting the temperature of the nonlinear optical crystal. Based on the data stored in the first storage means corresponding to the photosensitive medium set by the setting means, it has a wavelength corresponding to the vicinity of the wavelength where the density of the image formed on the photosensitive medium is optimum. After controlling the first temperature adjusting means so that the light is emitted from the light source, the density of the image formed on the photosensitive medium is optimized based on the data stored in the second storage means. Control means for controlling the second temperature adjusting means so that the ratio in the nonlinear optical crystal when light having a wavelength corresponding to the vicinity of the wavelength is incident on the nonlinear optical crystal is maximized. It is what

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, based on the data relating to the color development characteristics of the photosensitive medium set by the setting means, the light having a wavelength corresponding to the vicinity of the wavelength at which the density of the image formed on the photosensitive medium is optimum is the light source. After the temperature of the light source is adjusted so as to be emitted from the nonlinear optical crystal, the conversion efficiency in the nonlinear optical crystal is maximized with respect to the light incident on the nonlinear optical crystal based on the data regarding the conversion efficiency of the nonlinear optical crystal. Since the temperature of the nonlinear optical crystal is adjusted, an image can be properly formed on any of a plurality of types of photosensitive media having different color development characteristics, and a light source with a relatively low output can be used. Like

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a laser output device in which a light source, a nonlinear optical crystal for converting a wavelength of light emitted from the light source, and a first data storage device for storing data relating to a color development characteristic of a photosensitive medium are stored. Means for storing data relating to the relationship between the wavelength of light before conversion and the wavelength of light after conversion in each temperature state of the nonlinear optical crystal, and the light source irradiates the light. Setting means for setting the type of photosensitive medium, first temperature adjusting means for adjusting the temperature of the light source, and second temperature adjusting means for adjusting the temperature of the nonlinear optical crystal. On the basis of the data stored in the first storage means corresponding to the photosensitive medium set by the setting means,
After controlling the first temperature adjusting means so that the light having a wavelength corresponding to the vicinity of the wavelength at which the density of the image formed on the photosensitive medium becomes optimal is emitted from the light source, the second temperature adjusting means is controlled.
Controlling the second temperature adjusting means so that the photosensitive medium is irradiated with light having a wavelength that optimizes the density of the image formed on the photosensitive medium, based on the data stored in the storage means. And the control means of.

According to the sixth aspect, the light source emits light having a wavelength corresponding to the vicinity of the wavelength at which the density of the image formed on the photosensitive medium is optimum, based on the data relating to the color developing characteristics of the photosensitive medium. After the temperature of the light source is adjusted, based on the data on the relationship between the wavelength of the light before conversion and the wavelength of the light after conversion (hereinafter referred to as the conversion ratio) in each temperature state of the nonlinear optical crystal, Since the temperature of the non-linear optical crystal is adjusted so that the photosensitive medium is irradiated with light having a wavelength at which the density of an image to be formed is optimum, the wavelength of the light with which the photosensitive medium is irradiated can be accurately adjusted. it can. Therefore, even when the photosensitive medium develops color only for a specific wavelength (in a very narrow range), an image can be properly formed.

A seventh aspect of the present invention is a photographic processing apparatus including the laser output device according to any one of the first to sixth aspects. According to the seventh aspect, it is possible to perform the exposure process on the printing paper in a state where the variation in the wavelength of the light emitted from the light source caused by the variation in the individual light sources is compensated. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of defects due to the variation in the wavelength of the light emitted from the light source, and it becomes possible to output a high-quality print.

[0025]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a photographic processing apparatus including a laser output device according to the first embodiment.

The photographic processing apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 1 is a photographic processing apparatus that employs a digital scanning exposure system using laser light, and includes a scanner section 20, a printer section 30, a processor section 40, and a finishing processing section 50. It has and.
The long photographic printing paper 11 stored in the paper magazines 31 and 32 described later is conveyed to the cutter 34 described below along the conveyance path 18 shown by the one-dot chain line in FIG. Then, the photographic printing paper 11 cut into a predetermined length along the width direction by the cutter 34 is transported from the printer unit 30 to the finishing processing unit 50 via the processor unit 40 along the transport path 18.

The scanner section 20 mainly carries out various processes such as a process of reading an image recorded on each frame of the film and a digital conversion of the read image data. In the printer unit 30, the photographic printing paper 11, which is a photosensitive material, is mainly exposed to light based on digital image data. In the processor section 40, the exposed photographic printing paper 11 is subjected to processing such as development, bleach-fixing and stabilization. In the finishing processing unit 50, the photographic printing paper 11 discharged from the processor unit 40 is subjected to a drying process, and the photographic printing paper 11 further dried and discharged from the discharge port 19 is sorted for each order. .

The scanner unit 20 includes a film mounting unit 21 on which a film is mounted and a scanner light source unit 2 which houses a light source for irradiating the film during scanning.
It has 2 and. An image pickup device (not shown) such as a CCD for picking up a film image is arranged below the film mounting unit 21. The image signal output from the image sensor is digitally converted by an A / D converter (not shown) and then supplied to the control unit 150 described later.

The printer unit 30 accommodates the long photographic paper 11 wound around each of them, and has two paper magazines 31 and 32 that are selectively used and the photographic paper 11 from the paper magazines 31 and 32. And an cutter unit 34 for cutting the photographic printing paper 11 having a predetermined width drawn from the paper magazines 31 and 32 into a desired length according to the print size in the width direction.
And a printing unit 35 for printing desired characters on the surface (back surface) of the printing paper 11 on which the photosensitive emulsion layer is not formed.
And a chucker 36 that conveys the photographic paper 11 cut to a desired length in parallel in a few rows to the front stage of the exposure position, and a laser output device (exposure unit) 3 for performing an exposure process on the photographic paper 11. And a plurality of roller pairs 60 to 64 for conveying the photographic printing paper 11, and motors 38 and 39 for driving the roller pairs 60 to 64. Note that the plurality of roller pairs 62 to 64 are arranged at intervals shorter than the shortest length at which the photographic printing paper 11 may be cut so that the cut photographic printing paper 11 does not fall off.

The processor section 40 is stored in the processing tanks 41a to 41f and the processing tanks 41a to 41f for performing the developing, bleach-fixing and stabilizing processes on the photographic printing paper 11 supplied from the printer unit 30. And a plurality of processing liquid waste and replenishing liquid tanks 42a to 42d, a plurality of roller pairs 43 for conveying the photographic printing paper 11, and a motor (not shown) for driving the roller pairs 43. .

The finisher 50 has a heater 51 for quickly drying the printing paper 11 discharged from the processor 40 and the printing paper 11 discharged from the discharge port 19 as shown in FIG.
Belt conveyor 52 for conveying in the direction perpendicular to the paper surface of
And a plurality of roller pairs 53 for conveying the photographic printing paper 11.
And a motor (not shown) for driving the roller pair 53
It has and. Note that the plurality of roller pairs 43 and the plurality of roller pairs 53 are arranged at intervals shorter than the shortest length at which the photographic printing paper 11 may be cut so that the cut photographic printing paper 11 does not fall off.

The photographic processing apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 1 has a control unit 150 for controlling the operation of the photographic processing apparatus 10.
And a display 23 for displaying various information regarding the photo processing apparatus 10 to notify the operator, and a keyboard 25 (see FIG. 3) on which the operator operates the photo processing apparatus 10.

Next, a detailed structure of the laser output device according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Figure 2
FIG. 2 is a partial schematic side view of the inside of a laser output device included in the photographic processing device shown in FIG. 1.

The laser output device 3 has three laser light sources 101a, 101b capable of emitting laser light in wavelength regions corresponding to three colors of blue (B), green (G) and red (R), respectively. 101c (see FIGS. 2 and 3)
Is equipped with. By exposing the photographic printing paper 11 by combining these three colors of laser light, latent images of color images having various colors can be formed on the photographic printing paper 11.

The laser output device 3 is, as shown in FIG.
A laser light source 101a, a collimator lens 102, a condenser lens 103, and a nonlinear optical crystal LiNbO 3 (Per
(iodically Poled Lithium Niobate: hereinafter referred to as PPLN) crystal 104a, etalon 105, and output mirror 106.

The laser light source 101a includes a semiconductor laser and / or a solid-state laser light source capable of emitting laser light in a wavelength region corresponding to blue. Further, a thermistor 121a as a temperature detection sensor is arranged at a position close to the laser light source 101a, and the temperature of the laser light source 101a can be detected with high accuracy. The thermistor 121a is connected to the control unit 150, and the laser light source 101a
The temperature of the laser light source 101a can be detected, and the detected temperature of the laser light source 101a can be constantly transmitted to the control unit 150.

Further, below the laser light source 101a, a Peltier element 120a functioning as a heating and cooling element for adjusting the temperature of the laser light source 101a is arranged adjacent to the lower end of the laser light source 101a. Peltier element 1
20a can heat or cool the laser light source 101a based on the signal supplied from the control unit 150.

The collimator lens 102 is used for the laser light source 1.
This is for making the laser light emitted from 01a parallel light. The condenser lens 103 is the collimator lens 1
The laser beam collimated by the laser beam 02 is directed to the PPLN crystal 104.
The light is focused on a.

The PPLN crystal 104a is the laser light source 10
It is for converting the wavelength of the laser light emitted from 1a. In this embodiment, in the PPLN crystal 104a, the laser light incident on the PPLN crystal 104a is
It is adapted to be converted into a second harmonic having a wavelength of about ½ of that wavelength. The PPLN crystal 104a
Is a periodically poled element, which can compensate for the phase mismatch between the laser light incident on the PPLN crystal 104a and the laser light emitted from the PPLN crystal 104a by utilizing quasi phase matching. is there. The polarization inversion period (pitch) in the PPLN crystal 104a is set based on the wavelength of the laser light emitted from the PPLN crystal 104a.

The etalon 105 is a PPLN crystal 104a.
It is for transmitting a part of the laser light emitted from the. The output mirror 106 forms a resonator with the incident surface of the PPLN crystal 104a and outputs laser light to the outside.

Note that FIG. 2 shows only the laser light source 101a corresponding to blue and the optical components such as the collimator lens 102 and the PPLN crystal 104a which are arranged corresponding to the laser light source 101a, but other green and Since the laser light sources 101b and 101c corresponding to red have the same configuration as the laser light source 101a, detailed description thereof will be omitted. That is, the laser light sources 101b and 101c
Includes a semiconductor laser and / or a solid-state laser light source capable of emitting laser light in a wavelength region corresponding to green or red, respectively, similarly to the laser light source 101a, and also for the laser light sources 101b and 101c. The same optical components as the laser light source 101a are arranged so as to correspond to each.

Therefore, the thermistors 121b and 121c (see FIG. 3) as temperature detection sensors are arranged at positions close to the laser light sources 101b and 101c, and the lower end portions thereof are below the laser light sources 101b and 101c. Peltier elements 120b, 120c (see FIG. 3) functioning as heating and cooling elements for adjusting the temperatures of the laser light sources 101b, 101c so as to be adjacent to each other.
Are arranged.

The PPLs arranged so as to correspond to the blue, green, and red laser light sources 101a to 101c, respectively.
The N crystals 104a to 104c are made by different designs based on the wavelength region of the laser light emitted from each.

Next, the control system of the photographic processing apparatus having the laser output device according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a simplified block diagram of the photographic processing device shown in FIG.

The control unit 150 has three types of blue, green and red.
Thermistors 121a to 121c for detecting respective temperatures of the laser light sources 101a to 101c corresponding to colors.
And Peltier elements 120a to 120c for adjusting the temperatures of the laser light sources 101a to 101c, respectively.
And a keyboard 25 are connected to each other.

The control unit 150 includes the photographic processing apparatus 1
0, a hard disk (HD) in which various operation control programs and data are stored, a CPU that executes various calculations to generate signals that control the operation of each unit of the photo processing device 10, and is used by the photo processing device 10. Printed paper 1
1 color development characteristic and PPLN crystal 104 in each temperature state
It includes a member such as a RAM for temporarily storing data relating to the conversion efficiency in the above and data such as a calculation result in the CPU. The control unit 150 is provided with a printing paper setting unit 151, a color development characteristic storage unit 152, an optimum wavelength determining unit 153, and a temperature control unit 154 by these various members and software.

The photographic paper setting section 151 is for setting the type of the photographic paper 11 input by the operator from the keyboard 25. The color-developing characteristic storage unit 152 is for storing the color-developing characteristics of various types of printing paper 11. The optimum wavelength determining unit 153 is the color development characteristic storage unit 1
Based on the data stored in 52, the printing paper setting unit 15
This is for determining the wavelength of the laser beam when the density of the image formed on the photographic printing paper 11 set by 1 is optimum for each of the three colors of blue, green and red.

The temperature control unit 154 has the thermistor 121a.
In order to adjust the temperature of each of the laser light sources 101a to 101c so that laser light having a wavelength corresponding to the vicinity of the wavelength determined by the optimum wavelength determining unit 153 is emitted while referring to the temperatures detected by the to 121c. belongs to. The temperature control unit 154 can adjust the temperature of each of the laser light sources 101a to 101c by controlling the current flowing through the Peltier elements 120a to 120c.

Next, the operation of the laser output device according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. Figure 4
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of color development characteristics of photographic printing paper. Figure 5
It is a figure which shows an example of the relationship between the temperature of a laser light source, and the wavelength of the laser beam radiate | emitted from a laser light source.

First, the operator of the photographic processing apparatus 10 inputs the type of the printing paper 11 to be exposed by the keyboard 25. At this time, the type of the printing paper 11 that has been input is set in the printing paper setting unit 151.

Then, by the optimum wavelength determining unit 153,
The density of the image formed on the photographic printing paper 11 of the type set by the photographic printing paper setting unit 151 is optimal based on the data relating to the coloring characteristics of the photographic printing paper 11 of various types stored in advance in the color development characteristic storage unit 152. The wavelength of the laser light (here, the maximum) is determined for each of the colors blue, green, and red.

Here, the coloring characteristics of the various types of printing paper 11 stored in the coloring characteristic storage unit 152 are shown in FIG.
The density of the image formed on the photographic printing paper 11 changes as the wavelength of the laser beam with which the photographic printing paper 11 is irradiated changes for each of the three colors of blue, green and red. In the present embodiment, the color-developing characteristic of the photographic printing paper 11 set by the photographic printing paper setting unit 151 shows that the wavelength of the laser light that maximizes the blue density is 4 as shown in FIG.
70nm, the wavelength of the laser light that maximizes the density of green is 5
40nm, the wavelength of the laser light that maximizes the red concentration is 6
90 nm and the optimum wavelength determination unit 153 respectively determine.

Therefore, the laser light having the wavelength corresponding to the above-mentioned wavelength vicinity determined by the optimum wavelength determination unit 153 by the temperature control unit 154 is emitted from the laser light sources 101a to 101a.
The temperatures of the laser light sources 101a to 101c corresponding to blue, green, and red are adjusted so that they are emitted from 101c, respectively. Here, in the present embodiment, the laser light emitted from each of the laser light sources 101a to 101c is converted to have a wavelength of about ½ by the PPLN crystals 104a to 104c as described above, and then the photographic paper. Since the laser light is irradiated to the laser beam 11, the laser light having the wavelength twice that near the wavelength of the laser light that maximizes the density of the image formed on the photographic paper 11 is emitted. The temperature of the laser light sources 101a to 101c corresponding to each is adjusted.

That is, the laser light source 101 corresponding to blue
The wavelength of the laser light that maximizes the blue density from a (470
The temperature of the laser light source 101a is adjusted so that laser light having a wavelength of 940 nm, which is twice the wavelength of (nm), is emitted. Here, the relationship between the temperature of the laser light source 101a and the wavelength of the laser light emitted therefrom has a substantially proportional relationship, as shown in FIG.

However, the wavelength of the laser light emitted from the laser light source 101a cannot be continuously (analogously) changed due to the mode hopping of the laser light source 101a. Therefore, in FIG. 5, the laser light source 101a
The wavelength of the laser light emitted from the laser light source 101a changes stepwise (digitally) along with the change in temperature. That is, from the laser light source 101a, as shown in FIG.
At, only laser light of a wavelength corresponding to the horizontal portion can be emitted.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, as described above, the temperature of the laser light source 101a is adjusted so that the laser light having the wavelength of 940 nm is emitted from the laser light source 101a. Since the part corresponding to the wavelength is not horizontal, the laser light source 10
Laser light having a wavelength of 940 nm cannot be accurately emitted from 1a. Therefore, the laser light source 101
Among the wavelengths that can be emitted from a, the temperature of the laser light source 101a is about 2 so that a laser beam of 940 + αnm, which is a wavelength close to the most desired wavelength of 940 nm, is emitted.
Adjust to 5 ° C.

The laser light source 1 corresponding to green and red
The respective temperatures of 01b and 101c are the same as the laser light source 10
Similar to 1a, based on the relationship between the temperature of the laser light sources 101b and 101c and the wavelength of the laser light emitted from each of the laser light sources 101b and 101c, the laser light source 10
From 1b, the wavelength of laser light (5
The laser light source 1 is adjusted so that a laser beam having a wavelength in the vicinity of 1080 nm, which is twice the wavelength of 40 nm), is emitted.
From 01c, laser light having a wavelength in the vicinity of 1380 nm, which is twice the wavelength (690 nm) of the laser light having the highest red density, is adjusted to be emitted.

As described above, in the photographic processing apparatus 10 including the laser output device 3 according to the first embodiment, the photographic printing is performed based on the data relating to the color development characteristics of the printing paper 11 set by the printing paper setting unit 151. Laser light having a wavelength in the vicinity of twice the wavelength at which the blue, green, and red densities of the image formed on the paper 11 are highest is the laser light source 101.
The temperatures of the laser light sources 101a to 101c are adjusted so that they are respectively emitted from a to 101c. The laser light emitted from each of the laser light sources 101a to 101c is a laser light having a wavelength of about ½ in the PPLN crystal, that is, blue of the image formed on the photographic printing paper 11.
The photographic printing paper 11 is irradiated with the laser light after being converted into laser light having wavelengths near the wavelengths at which the respective densities of green and red are maximized. Therefore, it is possible to properly form an image on any of a plurality of types of printing papers 11 having different coloring characteristics.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Here, since the schematic configuration of the photographic processing device including the laser output device according to the second embodiment is similar to that of FIG. 1, the description thereof is omitted.
FIG. 6 is a partial schematic side view of the inside of the laser output device according to the second embodiment. FIG. 7 is a simplified block diagram of a photographic processing device equipped with the laser output device of FIG. FIG. 8: is a figure which shows an example of the data regarding the conversion efficiency in each temperature state of a PPLN crystal.

Here, the detailed structure of the laser output device 503 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The laser output device 503 of FIG. 6 is different from the laser output device 3 of FIG. 2 in that a thermistor for detecting the temperature of each PPLN crystal is arranged.
It is a structure of a control unit. Since the other configurations are the same as those of the laser output device of FIG. 2, the same reference numerals are given and description thereof is omitted.

As shown in FIG. 6, in the laser output device 503, a thermistor 221a as a temperature detecting sensor is arranged at a position close to the PPLN crystal 104a arranged corresponding to the laser light source 101a. , P
It is possible to detect the temperature of the PLN crystal 104a with high accuracy. Further, the laser light sources 101b and 101
PPLN crystals 1 arranged so as to correspond to c
04b and 104c, thermistors 221b and 221c (see FIG. 7) as temperature detection sensors are arranged respectively, and the PPLN crystals 104b and 10b are arranged.
It is possible to detect each temperature of 4c with high accuracy. The thermistors 221a to 221c are connected to the control unit 250 (see FIG. 7), and the PPL
The temperatures of the N crystals 104a to 104c can be detected, and the detected PPLN crystals 104a to 104c can be detected.
Of temperature can always be transmitted to the control unit 150.

The control unit 250 has three types of blue, green and red.
Thermistors 121a to 121c for detecting respective temperatures of the laser light sources 101a to 101c corresponding to colors.
And Peltier elements 120a to 120c for adjusting the temperatures of the laser light sources 101a to 101c, respectively.
And thermistors 221a to 221c for detecting respective temperatures of the PPLN crystals 104a to 104c arranged so as to correspond to the laser light sources 101a to 101c.
And a keyboard 25 are connected to each other.

The control unit 250 includes the control unit 1
A conversion efficiency storage unit 251, an optimum wavelength determination unit 252, and a temperature control unit 253 are formed by various members and software similar to those of 50.

The conversion efficiency storage unit 251 is used for the laser light source 10
P arranged so as to correspond to 1a to 101c, respectively.
This is for storing data regarding the conversion efficiency in each temperature state of the PLN crystals 104a to 104c. Here, the conversion efficiency of the PPLN crystal 104a changes with the change of the wavelength of the laser light incident on the PPLN crystal 104a, and the conversion efficiency becomes the highest at a certain laser light wavelength. The relationship between the wavelength of the laser light incident on the PPLN crystal 104a and the conversion efficiency at that time is as follows.
It depends on the temperature state of 04a. Therefore, the conversion efficiency storage unit 251 stores in the PPLN crystals 104a to 104.
For each of c, PPLN crystals 104a-104
PPLN crystal that maximizes conversion efficiency in c 1
04a-104c and PPLN crystals 104a-10
The relationship with the wavelength of the laser light incident on 4c is stored.

Based on the data stored in the conversion efficiency storage unit 251, the optimum wavelength determination unit 252 determines the PP at that time.
This is for determining the wavelength of the laser light that maximizes the conversion efficiency of the PPLN crystals 104a to 104c in the temperature state of the LN crystals 104a to 104c for each of the three colors of blue, green, and red.

The temperature control unit 253 has the thermistor 121a.
Temperature of each of the laser light sources 101a to 101c so that laser light having a wavelength corresponding to the vicinity of the wavelength determined by the optimum wavelength determination unit 253 is incident on the PPLN crystal while referring to the temperatures detected by the optical wavelength determination units ˜121c. Is for adjusting. Here, the laser light source 10
When the laser light emitted from 1a to 101c is incident on the PPLN crystals 104a to 104c without changing its wavelength, the laser light has a wavelength corresponding to the vicinity of the wavelength determined by the optimum wavelength determining unit 253. The temperatures of the laser light sources 101a to 101c are adjusted so that the light is emitted from the laser light sources 101a to 101c, respectively. The temperature control unit 154 can adjust the temperature of each of the laser light sources 101a to 101c by controlling the current flowing through the Peltier elements 120a to 120c.

Next, the operation of the laser output device 503 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6 to 8.

First, the thermistors 221a to 221c detect the temperatures of the PPLN crystals 104a to 104c. Then, the optimum wavelength determination unit 252 is arranged so as to correspond to each of the laser light sources 101a to 101c based on the data regarding the conversion efficiency in the PPLN crystals 104a to 104c stored in the conversion efficiency storage unit 251 in advance. PPLN crystal 104a-
The wavelength of the laser light that maximizes the conversion efficiency in the temperature state detected by the thermistors 221a to 221c of 104c is determined for each color of blue, green, and red.

Here, the relationship between the temperature of the PPLN crystal 104a and the wavelength of the laser beam incident on the PPLN crystal 104a at which the conversion efficiency in the PPLN crystal 104a stored in the conversion efficiency storage unit 251 is maximized is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 8, there is a one-to-one correspondence. That is,
In FIG. 8, the conversion efficiency of the PPLN crystal 104a is 940 nm in the temperature state of 25 ° C., for example.
It shows that the laser light of the wavelength becomes maximum when it enters the PPLN crystal 104a.

In the present embodiment, the temperature of the PPLN crystal 104a detected by the thermistor 221a is the ambient temperature (here, the laser output device 503 is arranged).
25 ° C) and 25 ° C, the PPL
The wavelength of the laser light that maximizes the conversion efficiency of the N crystal 104a is determined to be 940 nm, as can be seen from FIG.
As for the PPLN crystals 104b and 104c, the PPLN crystal 1 detected by the thermistors 221b and 221c based on the data regarding the conversion efficiency of each.
PPLN crystal 104 at temperatures of 04b and 104c
The wavelength of the laser light that maximizes the conversion efficiency of b and 104c is determined.

Therefore, the temperature controller 253 determines the PPLN crystal 104 determined by the optimum wavelength determiner 252.
The laser light having a wavelength corresponding to the vicinity of the wavelength at which the conversion efficiency of a to 104c is the highest is the PPLN crystals 104a to 1
The temperatures of the laser light sources 101a to 101c corresponding to blue, green, and red are adjusted so as to be incident on 04c.

That is, the laser light source 101 corresponding to blue
The temperature of the laser light source 101a is adjusted so that the laser light having a wavelength in the vicinity of 940 nm at which the conversion efficiency of the PPLN crystal 104a at 25 ° C. becomes maximum from a. Thus, in the present embodiment, the laser light source 10
The temperature of the laser light source 101a is adjusted so that laser light having a wavelength of 940 nm is emitted from 1a.
As described above, 940 nm from the laser light source 101a
It is not possible to accurately emit laser light having a wavelength of. Therefore, among the wavelengths that can be emitted from the laser light source 101a, laser light of 940 + αnm, which is a wavelength close to 940 nm, which is the most desired wavelength, is emitted.
The temperature of the laser light source 101a is adjusted to about 25 ° C. The laser light source 101 corresponding to green and red
The temperatures of b and 101c are the same as the laser light source 101a.
The adjustment is performed in the same manner as, but the detailed description is omitted here.

As described above, in the photographic processing apparatus including the laser output device 503 according to the second embodiment, the PPLNs detected by the thermistors 221a to 221c based on the data regarding the conversion efficiency of the PPLN crystals 104a to 104c. Laser light having a wavelength in the vicinity of the wavelength at which the conversion efficiency in the PPLN crystals 104a to 104c at the temperatures of the crystals 104a to 104c is the highest is emitted from the laser light sources 101a to 101a.
Laser light sources 101a to 1 so as to be emitted from 101c.
The temperature of 01c is adjusted. Therefore, the laser light source 101
As a to 101c, those having a relatively low output can be used.

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Here, since the schematic configuration of the photographic processing apparatus including the laser output device according to the third embodiment is the same as that in FIG. 1, the description thereof will be omitted.
FIG. 9 is a partial schematic side view of the inside of the laser output device according to the third embodiment. FIG. 10 is a simplified block diagram of a photographic processing device including a laser output device according to the third embodiment.

Here, a detailed structure of the laser output device 603 according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The laser output device 603 of FIG. 9 is different from the laser output device 3 of FIG. 2 in that a thermistor for detecting the temperature of the PPLN crystal and a Peltier element for adjusting the temperature of the PPLN crystal are arranged. The configuration of the control unit. Since the other configurations are the same as those of the laser output device of FIG. 2, the same reference numerals are given and description thereof is omitted.

In the laser output device 603, as shown in FIG. 9, a thermistor 221a as a temperature detecting sensor is arranged at a position close to the PPLN crystal 104a arranged corresponding to the laser light source 101a. , P
It is possible to detect the temperature of the PLN crystal 104a with high accuracy. In addition, below the PPLN crystal 104a, the PPLN crystal 10 is provided so as to be adjacent to the lower end thereof.
A Peltier element 320a, which functions as a heating and cooling element for adjusting the temperature of 4a, is arranged. The Peltier device 320a receives the PPLN crystal 10 based on the signal supplied from the control unit 350 (see FIG. 10).
4a can be heated or cooled.

The PPLN crystal 104 arranged so as to correspond to the laser light sources 101b and 101c, respectively.
b and 104c, thermistors 221b and 221c (see FIG. 10) as temperature detection sensors are arranged respectively, and the PPLN crystals 104b and 104 are provided.
It is possible to detect each temperature of c with high accuracy). In addition, PPLN crystals 104b and 104c
Peltier elements 320b, 32 functioning as heating and cooling elements for adjusting the temperature of the PPLN crystals 104b, 104c so as to be adjacent to the lower ends thereof.
0c is arranged.

The thermistors 221a to 221c are connected to the control unit 350, and the PPLN crystal 104a.
˜104c can be detected, and the detected temperature of the PPLN crystals 104a˜104c can be constantly transmitted to the control unit 350. In addition, the Peltier devices 320a to 320c, based on the signal supplied from the control unit 350, the PPLN crystal 104a to.
104c can be heated or cooled.

The control unit 350 has three types of blue, green and red.
Thermistors 121a to 121c for detecting the temperatures of the laser light sources 101a to 101c corresponding to the colors, Peltier elements 120a to 120c for adjusting the temperatures of the laser light sources 101a to 101c, and the laser light source 101.
P arranged to correspond to each of a to 101c
The thermistors 221a to 221c for detecting the temperatures of the PLN crystals 104a to 104c, Peltier elements 320a to 320c for adjusting the temperatures of the PPLN crystals 104a to 104c, and the keyboard 25 are connected to each other.

The control unit 350 includes the control unit 1
By various members and software similar to 50, the printing paper setting unit 351, the color development characteristic storage unit 352, the conversion efficiency storage unit 353, the optimum wavelength determination unit 354, the optimum temperature determination unit 355, and the temperature control unit 356. Are formed.

The photographic paper setting section 351 is for setting the type of the photographic paper 11 input by the operator from the keyboard 25. The color forming characteristic storage unit 352 is for storing the color forming characteristics of various types of photographic printing paper 11. The conversion efficiency storage unit 353 uses the laser light source 101.
P arranged to correspond to each of a to 101c
This is for storing data regarding the conversion efficiency in each temperature state of the PLN crystals 104a to 104c.

The optimum wavelength determining section 354 uses the photographic paper setting section 3 based on the data stored in the color-developing characteristic storage section 352.
The wavelengths of the laser light when the density of the image formed on the photographic printing paper 11 set by 51 is optimal are blue, green, and red.
It is for determining each of the colors. The optimum temperature determination unit 355 determines that the laser light having the wavelength determined by the optimum wavelength determination unit 354 is based on the data stored in the conversion efficiency storage unit 353 and the PPLN crystal 104a.
PPLN crystal 10 when it is incident on each of 104c.
PPL that maximizes the conversion efficiency of 4a to 104c
This is for determining the temperature of each of the N crystals 104a to 104c.

The temperature control section 356 has the thermistor 121a.
To 121c, the temperature of each of the laser light sources 101a to 101c and the thermistor so that laser light having a wavelength corresponding to the vicinity of the wavelength determined by the optimum wavelength determination unit 153 is emitted while referring to the temperature detected. The temperature of each of the PPLN crystals 104a to 104c is adjusted so as to reach the temperature determined by the optimum temperature determination unit 355 while referring to the temperatures detected by the 221a to 221c. In addition, the temperature control unit 356 is configured such that the Peltier elements 120 a to 120 c and 320.
The laser light sources 101a to 101c and the PPLN crystal 104a to
The temperature of each of the 104c can be adjusted.

Next, the operation of the laser output device 603 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 4, 5, and 8 to 10.

First, the operator of the photographic processing apparatus inputs, via the keyboard 25, the type of the printing paper 11 to be exposed. At this time, the type of the printing paper 11 that has been input is set in the printing paper setting unit 351.

Then, by the optimum wavelength determining unit 354,
The density of the image formed on the photographic paper 11 set in the photographic paper setting unit 351 is optimum (here, the maximum) based on the data relating to the color development characteristics of the photographic paper 11 stored in advance in the color development characteristic storage unit 352. The wavelength of the laser light is determined for each color of blue, green, and red. Here, in the present embodiment, the color development characteristics of the photographic printing paper 11 set in the photographic printing paper setting unit 351 are as shown in FIG.
The wavelength of the laser light that maximizes the density of the blue image is 470
The wavelength of the laser light with which the density of the green image is maximum is 540 nm, and the wavelength of the laser light with which the density of the red image is maximum is 690 nm.

Therefore, the laser light having the wavelength corresponding to the above-mentioned wavelength vicinity determined by the optimum wavelength determination unit 354 by the temperature control unit 356 is emitted from the laser light sources 101a to 101a.
The temperatures of the laser light sources 101a to 101c corresponding to blue, green, and red are adjusted so that they are emitted from 101c, respectively. Here, in the present embodiment, the laser light emitted from each of the laser light sources 101a to 101c is converted to have a wavelength of about ½ by the PPLN crystals 104a to 104c as described above, and then the photographic paper. The laser light sources 101a to 101c are irradiated so that the laser light having a wavelength twice the wavelength of the laser light that maximizes the density of the image formed on the photographic paper 11 is emitted. The temperature is adjusted.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the temperature of the laser light source 101a is adjusted so that the laser light source 101a emits the laser light having the wavelength of 940 nm. From 94
Laser light having a wavelength of 0 nm cannot be emitted accurately. Therefore, of the wavelengths that can be emitted from the laser light source 101a, the temperature of the laser light source 101a is set to about 25 ° C. so that the laser light of 940 + αnm, which is a wavelength close to the most desired wavelength of 940 nm, is emitted. Adjusted. The temperatures of the laser light sources 101b and 101c corresponding to green and red are the same as the laser light source 1
Of the wavelengths that can be emitted from 01b and 101c, adjustment is performed in the same manner as the laser light source 101a so that laser beams having wavelengths close to the most desired wavelengths of 1080 nm and 1380 nm are emitted respectively. Detailed description is omitted.

Subsequently, by the optimum temperature determining unit 355, based on the data regarding the conversion efficiency in the PPLN crystals 104a to 104c stored in the conversion efficiency storing unit 353 in advance, wavelengths near the wavelength determined by the optimum wavelength determining unit 354. When the laser light having P is incident on each of the PPLN crystals 104a to 104c, P
The temperature of each of the PPLN crystals 104a to 104c at which the conversion efficiency of the PLN crystals 104a to 104c is maximized is determined.

That is, in the present embodiment, for example, the laser light source 101a corresponding to blue emits the laser light having the wavelength of 940 + αnm, and the laser light is PPL.
It is incident on the N crystal 104a. At this time, the temperature of the laser light that maximizes the conversion efficiency of the PPLN crystal 104a is
As can be seen from FIG. 8, it is determined to be 25 + β ° C. As for the PPLN crystals 104b and 104c, similarly to the laser light source 101a, based on the data regarding the respective conversion efficiencies, 1080 nm and 1380 n, respectively.
Laser light having a wavelength in the vicinity of m is emitted from the PPLN crystal 104.
b, 104c, the PPLN crystal 104
b, 104c PPLN crystal 10 with the highest conversion efficiency
Although the temperatures of 4b and 104c are respectively determined, detailed description is omitted here.

Therefore, the PPLN crystal 104 determined by the optimum temperature determination unit 355 by the temperature control unit 356.
The temperatures of the PPLN crystals 104a to 104c are adjusted so that the conversion efficiency at a to 104c becomes the maximum.

The PPLN crystals 104a to 104c are used.
So that the density of the image formed on the photographic paper 11 becomes maximum based on the color development characteristics of the photographic paper 11 (a laser beam having a wavelength that maximizes the density of the image formed on the photographic paper 11 is emitted. Photographic paper 1 by designing
1 has the highest density of the image and PP
It is possible to maximize the conversion efficiency in the LN crystals 104a to 104c.

As described above, in the photographic processing apparatus having the laser output device 603 according to the third embodiment, the photographic printing paper is based on the data relating to the coloring characteristics of the photographic printing paper 11 set by the printing paper setting unit 351. After the temperature of each of the laser light sources 101a to 101c is adjusted so that the laser light having a wavelength corresponding to the vicinity of the wavelength at which the density of the image formed on 11 is maximized is emitted from the laser light sources 101a to 101c, the PPLN is adjusted. Based on the data regarding the conversion efficiency in the crystals 104a to 104c, the PPLN crystal 10
Since the temperatures of the PPLN crystals 104a to 104c are adjusted so that the conversion efficiencies of the PPLN crystals 104a to 104c with respect to the laser light incident on the laser beams 4a to 104c are maximized, a plurality of types of photographic printing paper 11 having different coloring characteristics are provided. An image can be properly formed on any of the laser light sources 101a to 101a having a relatively low output.
01c can be used.

Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Here, since the schematic configuration of the photographic processing apparatus including the laser output device according to the fourth embodiment is the same as that in FIG. 1, the description thereof will be omitted.

Here, FIG. 9 and FIG. 11 show the detailed structure of the laser output device 703 according to the fourth embodiment.
Will be described with reference to. Laser output device 7 of the present embodiment
03 is different from the laser output device 3 of FIG.
Thermistor and PPL for detecting temperature of N crystal
It is a point where a Peltier element for adjusting the temperature of the N crystal is arranged and the configuration of the control unit. That is, the fourth
The laser output device 703 according to the third embodiment is different from the laser output device 603 according to the third embodiment (FIG. 9) only in the configuration of the control unit, and the other configurations are the same as those in the third embodiment. Since it is the same as the laser output device 603 according to the embodiment, the same reference numerals are given and description thereof is omitted.

The control unit 450 includes the control unit 3
With various members and software similar to 50, the printing paper setting unit 351, the color development characteristic storage unit 352, the conversion ratio storage unit 453, the optimum wavelength determination unit 354, the optimum temperature determination unit 355, and the temperature control unit 356. Are formed.

The conversion ratio storage unit 453 stores the laser light source 10
The ratio of the wavelength of the laser light incident on each of the PPLN crystals 104a to 104c arranged so as to correspond to each of 1a to 101c and the wavelength of the laser light converted and emitted (hereinafter referred to as a conversion ratio). For storing data regarding The PPLN crystal 104
The conversion ratios of a to 104c are PPLN crystal 1
It changes with the temperature of 04a-104c.

The optimum temperature determining unit 355 determines the laser light having the wavelength determined by the optimum wavelength determining unit 354 based on the data stored in the conversion ratio storage unit 453 (actually, the optimum wavelength determining unit 354 determines the laser light. The laser light having a wavelength in the vicinity of the selected wavelength) is incident on each of the PPLN crystals 104a to 104c.
In the LN crystals 104a to 104c, the wavelength of the laser light having the wavelength determined by the optimum wavelength determination unit 354 (the laser when the density of the image formed on the photographic paper 11 set by the photographic paper setting unit 351 becomes optimum) PPLN crystals 104a to 104 that are converted into light wavelengths)
It is for determining the respective temperatures of c.

The temperature control section 356 has the thermistor 121a.
To 121c, the temperature of each of the laser light sources 101a to 101c and the thermistor so that laser light having a wavelength corresponding to the vicinity of the wavelength determined by the optimum wavelength determination unit 354 is emitted while referring to the temperature detected by the thermistor. The temperature of each of the PPLN crystals 104a to 104c is adjusted so as to reach the temperature determined by the optimum temperature determination unit 355 while referring to the temperatures detected by the 221a to 221c. In addition, the temperature control unit 356 is configured such that the Peltier elements 120 a to 120 c and 320.
The laser light sources 101a to 101c and the PPLN crystal 104a to
The temperature of each of the 104c can be adjusted.

Now, the operation of the laser output device 703 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 4, 5, and 8 to 10.

First, the operator of the photographic processing apparatus inputs, via the keyboard 25, the type of the printing paper 11 to be exposed. At this time, the type of the printing paper 11 that has been input is set in the printing paper setting unit 351.

Then, by the optimum wavelength determining unit 354,
The density of the image formed on the printing paper 11 set in the printing paper setting unit 351 is optimum (here, the maximum) based on the data relating to the coloring properties of the printing paper 11 stored in advance in the coloring property storage unit 352. The wavelength of the laser light is determined for each color of blue, green, and red. In the present embodiment, as can be seen from FIG. 4, the color development characteristics of the photographic printing paper 11 on which the image is formed are such that the wavelength of the laser light having the highest blue density is 470 nm and the wavelength of the laser light having the highest green density is The wavelength is determined to be 540 nm, and the wavelength of the laser light that maximizes the red concentration is determined to be 690 nm.

Therefore, the laser light having the wavelength corresponding to the above-mentioned wavelength vicinity determined by the optimum wavelength determination unit 354 by the temperature control unit 356 is emitted from the laser light sources 101a to 101a.
The temperatures of the laser light sources 101a to 101c corresponding to blue, green, and red are adjusted so that they are emitted from 101c, respectively. Here, in the present embodiment, the laser light emitted from each of the laser light sources 101a to 101c is converted by the conversion ratio in the temperature state in the PPLN crystals 104a to 104c as described above, and then is transferred to the photographic paper 11. It is irradiated against. Here, P
In the PLN crystals 104a to 104c, the wavelength of the laser light is converted to about 1/2, so that the laser light having a wavelength in the vicinity of twice the wavelength of the laser light that maximizes the density of the printing paper 11 is emitted. As described above, the temperatures of the laser light sources 101a to 101c corresponding to blue, green, and red are adjusted. The wavelength is converted by the PPLN crystals 104a to 104c so that the wavelength becomes about 1/2.
It slightly varies depending on the temperature states of the crystals 104a to 104c.

That is, in the present embodiment, the temperature of the laser light source 101a corresponding to blue has a relationship between the temperature of the laser light source 101a and the wavelength of the laser light emitted from the laser light source 101a as shown in FIG. Based on photographic paper 1
The temperature of the laser light source 101a is about 25 so that the laser light having a wavelength in the vicinity of 940 nm, which is twice the wavelength of the laser light (470 nm) at which the density of the blue image formed in FIG. It is adjusted so that it becomes ℃. Laser light sources 101b and 101 corresponding to green and red
The respective temperatures of c are the same as those of the laser light source 101a,
Temperature of laser light sources 101b and 101c and laser light source 10
The wavelength of the laser light (540 nm) that maximizes the density of the green image formed on the printing paper 11 based on the relationship with the wavelength of the laser light emitted from each of 1b and 101c.
The temperature of the laser light source 101b is adjusted so that laser light having a wavelength near 1080 nm, which is twice the wavelength of the laser light, is emitted (wavelength of 690 nm, which maximizes the density of the red image formed on the printing paper 11). ) Which is twice as much as 138
The temperature of the laser light source 101c is adjusted so that laser light having a wavelength near 0 nm is emitted.

Here, in the present embodiment, as described above, for example, laser light having a wavelength of 940 nm cannot be accurately emitted from the laser light source 101a. Therefore, of the wavelengths that can be emitted from the laser light source 101a, the temperature of the laser light source 101a is set to about 25 ° C. so that the laser light of 940 + αnm, which is a wavelength close to the most desired wavelength of 940 nm, is emitted. Adjusted. Laser light sources 101b corresponding to green and red,
Similarly to the laser light source 101a, the laser light source 101c has the most desired wavelengths of 1080 nm and 1380 nm among the wavelengths that can be emitted from the laser light sources 101b and 101c.
Although the temperatures of the laser light sources 101b and 101c are adjusted so that the laser light having a wavelength close to is emitted, the detailed description thereof is omitted here.

Subsequently, the optimum temperature determining unit 355 sets the PPLN crystals 104a to 104c on the basis of the data relating to the conversion ratios in the PPLN crystals 104a to 104c stored in the conversion ratio storage unit 453 in advance.
When the laser light having the wavelength in the vicinity of the wavelength determined by the optimum wavelength determination unit 354 is incident on each of the PPLN crystals 104a to 104c, the PP
Optimal wavelength determining unit 354 from the LN crystals 104a to 104c
The temperatures of the PPLN crystals 104a to 104c are determined so that the laser light having the wavelength determined by is emitted.

That is, in this embodiment, for example, when the laser light having a wavelength of 940 nm can be accurately emitted from the laser light source 101a, the wavelength of the laser light is halved in the PPLN crystal 104a. That is, by converting so that the conversion ratio in the PPLN crystal 104a becomes 1/2, the optimum wavelength determining unit 35 for the photographic paper 11 from the PPLN crystal 104a.
The laser light having the wavelength determined by 4 is emitted. On the other hand, from the laser light source 101a to 940 nm
Since a laser beam having a wavelength of 10 cannot be accurately emitted, when a laser beam having a wavelength near 940 nm is emitted, the conversion ratio in the PPLN crystal 104a is changed (the conversion ratio is close to 1/2). Change to value)
As a result, the laser light having the wavelength determined by the optimum wavelength determination unit 354 is emitted from the PPLN crystal 104a to the printing paper 11. That is, PP
The conversion ratio of the LN crystals 104a to 104c is PP
It is determined by the wavelength of the laser light incident on each of the LN crystals 104a to 104c and the wavelength of the laser light determined by the optimum wavelength determination unit 354 for each of blue, green, and red colors.

Therefore, the temperature control unit 356 causes the PP
The temperatures of the PPLN crystals 104a to 104c are adjusted so that the conversion ratios of the LN crystals 104a to 104c have desired values.

Generally, the laser light sources 101a to 101a
Laser light sources 101a to 101 with respect to the temperature change of 01c
The rate of change in the wavelength of the laser light emitted from c is PP
PPL for temperature change of LN crystals 104a to 104c
It is larger than the rate of change in the wavelength of the laser light emitted from the N crystals 104a to 104c. Therefore, as in the present embodiment, the wavelength of the laser light with which the photographic printing paper 11 is irradiated is roughly adjusted by adjusting the temperature of the laser light sources 101a to 101c, and then the PPLN crystals 104a to 104c.
It is also possible to make fine adjustments by adjusting the temperature of.

As described above, the photographic processing apparatus according to the fourth embodiment is formed on the photographic printing paper 11 based on the data relating to the coloring characteristics of the photographic printing paper 11 and the data relating to the conversion ratio of the PPLN crystals 104a to 104c. The laser light sources 101a to 101c and the PPL are arranged so that the photographic printing paper 11 is irradiated with light having a wavelength that maximizes the image density.
Since the temperatures of the N crystals 104a to 104c are adjusted, the wavelength of the laser light with which the photographic printing paper 11 is irradiated can be adjusted accurately. Therefore, even when the photographic printing paper 11 develops color only for a specific (very narrow range) wavelength, an image can be properly formed.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and various design changes can be made within the scope of the claims. Is possible. For example,
In the above-described first to fourth embodiments, the case where the PPLN crystal is used as the nonlinear optical crystal has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the LBO crystal, the CLBO crystal, the BBO crystal, the CBO crystal, KTP crystal, LN crystal,
Any nonlinear optical crystal such as a KDP crystal may be used. Further, although the case where the PPLN crystal is provided is described in the above-described first embodiment, the PPLN crystal does not necessarily have to be provided.

Further, in the above-mentioned first, third and fourth embodiments, the case where the wavelength at which the density of the image formed on the printing paper becomes optimum is the wavelength at which the density of each color becomes maximum As described above, the wavelength at which the density of the image formed on the photographic paper is optimal is not necessarily the wavelength at which the density of each color is the highest, and the coloring of each photographic paper is not limited to this. It can be set as appropriate in consideration of the characteristics.

Further, in the above-mentioned first to fourth embodiments, the case where the thermistor is used as the temperature detecting sensor for detecting the temperature of the laser light source or the PPLN crystal is explained. Any known sensor can be used as the detection sensor. Further, in the above-described first to fourth embodiments, the laser light source or P
The case where a Peltier element is used as the temperature adjusting means for the temperature of the PLN crystal has been described, but any known temperature adjusting means can be used.

Further, in the above-described first to fourth embodiments, the case where the laser output device is provided in the photographic processing device has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and it is provided in other image forming devices. It may be. Further, the laser output device is not limited to the case where it is used to suppress the deterioration of the image formed on the photographic paper, and other problems caused by the variation in the wavelength of the laser light emitted from the laser light source are also generated. May be used to suppress Further, the laser output device of the present invention is not limited to the case where it is used to emit a laser beam for image formation, but is also applicable to a case where a laser beam used for processing and an optical pickup is emitted. It is possible to suppress the occurrence of defects due to the variation in the wavelength of the laser light emitted from the laser light source.

[0115]

As described above, according to the first aspect, since the temperature of the light source is adjusted so as to compensate the wavelength variation of the light emitted from the light source caused by the individual variation of the light source, It is possible to suppress the occurrence of defects due to the variation in the wavelength of emitted light. Here, for example, when the laser output device of the present invention is used for image formation, it is possible to suppress deterioration of the image formed on the photosensitive medium.

According to the second aspect, since the temperature of the light source and the nonlinear optical crystal is adjusted so as to compensate the wavelength variation of the light emitted from the light source due to the individual variation of the light source, the light emitted from the light source is adjusted. It is possible to more effectively suppress the occurrence of a defect due to the variation in the wavelength.

According to the third aspect, based on the data relating to the color development characteristics of the photosensitive medium set by the setting means, the light having a wavelength corresponding to the vicinity of the wavelength where the density of the image formed on the photosensitive medium is optimum is the light source. Since the temperature of the light source is adjusted so that the light is emitted from the light source, an image can be properly formed on any of a plurality of types of photosensitive media having different color development characteristics.

According to the fourth aspect, based on the data regarding the conversion efficiency of the nonlinear optical crystal, the light having a wavelength corresponding to the vicinity of the wavelength at which the conversion efficiency of the nonlinear optical crystal is maximized is incident on the nonlinear optical crystal. Since the temperature of the light source is adjusted, it becomes possible to use a light source having a relatively low output.

According to the fifth aspect, based on the data relating to the color development characteristics of the photosensitive medium set by the setting means, the light having a wavelength corresponding to the vicinity of the wavelength where the density of the image formed on the photosensitive medium is optimum is the light source. After the temperature of the light source is adjusted so as to be emitted from the nonlinear optical crystal, the conversion efficiency in the nonlinear optical crystal is maximized with respect to the light incident on the nonlinear optical crystal based on the data regarding the conversion efficiency of the nonlinear optical crystal. Since the temperature of the nonlinear optical crystal is adjusted, an image can be properly formed on any of a plurality of types of photosensitive media having different color development characteristics, and a light source with a relatively low output can be used. Like

According to the sixth aspect, the light source emits light having a wavelength corresponding to the vicinity of the wavelength at which the density of the image formed on the photosensitive medium is optimum, based on the data relating to the color developing characteristics of the photosensitive medium. After the temperature of the light source is adjusted, based on the data regarding the conversion ratio in the nonlinear optical crystal, the nonlinear optical is adjusted so that the photosensitive medium is irradiated with light having a wavelength that optimizes the density of the image formed on the photosensitive medium. Since the temperature of the crystal is adjusted, the wavelength of the light with which the photosensitive medium is irradiated can be accurately adjusted. Therefore, even when the photosensitive medium develops color only for a specific wavelength (in a very narrow range), an image can be properly formed.

According to the seventh aspect, the exposure processing can be performed on the printing paper in a state where the variation in the wavelength of the light emitted from the light source caused by the variation in the individual light sources is compensated. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of defects due to the variation in the wavelength of the light emitted from the light source, and it becomes possible to output a high-quality print.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a laser output device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a partial schematic side view of the inside of a laser output device included in the photographic processor shown in FIG. 1. FIG.

FIG. 3 is a simplified block diagram of the photographic processing apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of color development characteristics of photographic printing paper.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the relationship between the temperature of a laser light source and the wavelength of laser light emitted from the laser light source.

FIG. 6 is a partial schematic side view of the inside of the laser output device according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a simplified block diagram of a photographic processing device including the laser output device of FIG.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of data regarding conversion efficiency of PPLN crystals in various temperature states.

FIG. 9 is a partial schematic side view of the inside of a laser output device according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a simplified block diagram of a photographic processing device including the laser output device of FIG.

FIG. 11 is a partial schematic side view of the inside of the laser output device according to the fourth embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

3, 503, 603, 703 Laser output device 10 Photographic processing device 11 Printing paper (photosensitive medium) 101a to 101c Laser light source (light source) 104a to 104c PPLN crystal (nonlinear optical crystal) 120a to 120c Peltier device (temperature adjusting means; 1 temperature adjusting means) 121a to 121c Thermistors 221a to 221c Thermistors (temperature detecting means) 320a to 320c Peltier elements (second temperature adjusting means) 151 Printing paper setting section (setting means) 152 Color development characteristic storage section (storage means) 153 Optimum wavelength determining unit 154 Temperature control unit (control unit) 251 Conversion efficiency storage unit (storage unit) 252 Color development characteristic storage unit 253 Temperature control unit (control unit) 351 Printing paper setting unit (setting unit) 352 Color development characteristic storage unit ( First storage means 353 Conversion efficiency storage unit (second storage means) ) 354 optimal wavelength determination unit 355 optimum temperature determination unit 356 temperature control unit (control means) 453 conversion ratio storage unit (second storage means)

Front page continuation (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI theme code (reference) G03B 27/72 B41J 3/00 DF term (reference) 2C362 AA03 AA10 AA17 AA60 BA51 CB71 2H106 AA41 AA72 AB04 2H110 AA23 CD02 CD12 CD18 2K002 AA06 AB12 CA02 CA03 EB15 HA20 5F073 AB23 BA07 EA03 FA25 GA19 GA23

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A light source, temperature adjusting means for adjusting the temperature of the light source, and temperature adjusting means for compensating for wavelength variation of light emitted from the light source caused by individual variation of the light source. And a control means for controlling the laser output device. 2. A light source, a nonlinear optical crystal for converting the wavelength of light emitted from the light source, a first temperature adjusting means for adjusting the temperature of the light source, and a temperature of the nonlinear optical crystal. A second temperature adjusting means for adjusting the temperature of the light source, and a second temperature adjusting means after controlling the first temperature adjusting means so as to compensate for the variation in the wavelength of the light emitted from the light source caused by the variation in the individual light sources. A laser output device further comprising a control unit for controlling the second temperature adjusting unit. 3. A light source, a storage means for storing data relating to the color development characteristics of the photosensitive medium, a setting means for setting the type of the photosensitive medium irradiated by the light source, and a temperature of the light source. Based on the temperature adjustment means for adjusting and the data stored in the storage means corresponding to the photosensitive medium set by the setting means, it corresponds to the vicinity of the wavelength where the density of the image formed on the photosensitive medium is optimum. And a control unit for controlling the temperature adjusting unit so that light having a wavelength of 4. A light source, a nonlinear optical crystal for converting the wavelength of light emitted from the light source, and a quantity of light after conversion with respect to the quantity of light before conversion in each temperature state of the nonlinear optical crystal. Storage means for storing data relating to the ratio, temperature adjustment means for adjusting the temperature of the light source, temperature detection means for detecting the temperature of the nonlinear optical crystal, and temperature detection means Based on the data stored in the storage means corresponding to the temperature, the temperature adjusting means is set so that light having a wavelength in the vicinity of the wavelength at which the ratio in the nonlinear optical crystal becomes maximum is incident on the nonlinear optical crystal. A laser output device comprising: a control unit for controlling. 5. A light source, a non-linear optical crystal for converting a wavelength of light emitted from the light source, a first storage means for storing data relating to a color development characteristic of a photosensitive medium, and the non-linear optical crystal. Second storage means for storing data relating to the ratio of the amount of light after conversion to the amount of light before conversion in each temperature state, and for setting the type of the photosensitive medium irradiated with light by the light source Setting means, a first temperature adjusting means for adjusting the temperature of the light source, a second temperature adjusting means for adjusting the temperature of the nonlinear optical crystal, and a photosensitive medium set by the setting means. On the basis of the data stored in the first storage means corresponding to, light having a wavelength corresponding to the vicinity of the wavelength where the density of the image formed on the photosensitive medium is optimum is emitted from the light source. After controlling the first temperature adjusting means, the wavelength corresponding to the vicinity of the wavelength at which the density of the image formed on the photosensitive medium is optimum is determined based on the data stored in the second storage means. Control means for controlling the second temperature adjusting means so that the ratio in the nonlinear optical crystal when the incident light enters the nonlinear optical crystal is maximized. Output device. 6. A light source, a non-linear optical crystal for converting a wavelength of light emitted from the light source, a first storage means for storing data relating to a color development characteristic of a photosensitive medium, and the non-linear optical crystal. Second storage means for storing data relating to the relationship between the wavelength of the light before conversion and the wavelength of the light after conversion in each temperature state, and for setting the type of the photosensitive medium irradiated with light by the light source Setting means, a first temperature adjusting means for adjusting the temperature of the light source, a second temperature adjusting means for adjusting the temperature of the nonlinear optical crystal, and a photosensitive medium set by the setting means. On the basis of the data stored in the first storage means corresponding to, light having a wavelength corresponding to the vicinity of the wavelength where the density of the image formed on the photosensitive medium is optimum is emitted from the light source. After controlling the first temperature adjusting means as described above, based on the data stored in the second storage means, it is sensitized by light having a wavelength that optimizes the density of the image formed on the photosensitive medium. A laser output device comprising: a control unit for controlling the second temperature adjusting unit so that the medium is irradiated. 7. A photographic processing device comprising the laser output device according to claim 1. Description: