The term LightJet is often used to describe a digitally-made chromogenic print. Unexposed silver-halide (AgX) photographic paper is temporarily fixed on an internal drum. Three digitally controlled lasers simultaneously expose the photo-sensitive emulsion on the paper medium (or back-lit transparency medium) with red, green and blue laser light. The amount of light from each laser varies to provide specific color and density values for each pixel imaged to the lightjet print.
A Lesson in Light Leads to a Stunning LightJet Print
The light path includes a spinning, surface-coated mirror mounted on an air bearing that travels along the axis of the internal drum. It reflects the laser light at 90 degrees, allowing for a dimensionally consistent round imaging dot across the entire area of the photographic paper. The purpose of this round imaging dot is to maintain edge to edge sharpness on the final print. The lightjet print is then processed using traditional photochemical means. After this process, the photographic print is handled just as any other photo print.