An intensity distribution management system includes a light source, a mask for receiving light therefrom and for allowing some light to propagate through and past the mask, a surface for receiving light allowed past the mask, and a diffusive element disposed between the mask and the light source for ensuring a substantially even light intensity distribution in relation to the surface. An imaging method includes emitting a light beam, manipulating the beam to have a first numerical aperture across a first divergence axis, directing the beam through a diffusive element to increase the numerical aperture of the beam, directing the beam through one or more transmissive portions of a mask, the mask being disposed relative to the diffusive element, and imaging transmitted portions of the beam to a target surface wherein the beam has a substantially ripple-free and uniform intensity distribution across the first divergence axis at the target surface.