Once the catadioptric relay was identified as a likely optimal choice for a new generation of maskless array synthesizers, it was further optimized. These optimizations involved adding a fold in the light path to increase the physical separation between the DMD and the DMD image to ensure sufficient space for the associated electrical, mechanical and fluidics systems, while minimizing the diameter of the two lenses and the mirror of the relay (to minimize system size and cost). The distance between the first lens and the DMD was also increased to allow sufficient clearance for a required illumination path at 24° normal to the DMD. In addition, the following parameters were assessed: maintenance of Strehl ratio performance over the ~10 nm full width at half maximum (FWHM) width of the 365 nm LED source (a Nichia NWSU333B) as well as-with minor refocusing-over the ~15 nm FWHM width of a 405 nm LED source, depth of focus as quantified by acceptable changes to the Strehl ratio and point spread function (PSF), mechanical mounting tolerances (to minimize introduction of astigmatism), temperature stability tolerances, and sensitivity to scatter and stray light.