Newsgroups: sci.electronics
Path: utzoo!henry
From: henry@utzoo.uucp (Henry Spencer)
Subject: Re: How do you aim a laser? (Watch where you point that, son!)
Message-ID: <1989Dec3.000739.7513@utzoo.uucp>
Organization: U of Toronto Zoology
References: <6220003@hpcupt1.HP.COM>
Date: Sun, 3 Dec 89 00:07:39 GMT

In article <6220003@hpcupt1.HP.COM> dclaar@hpcupt1.HP.COM (Doug Claar) writes:
>This is probably a naive question, but how do you aim a laser beam? (I know,
>very carefully!). But seriously, are there non-mechanical methods to aim
>a beam, or must I rely on moving mirrors around? What do things like
>handheld laser barcode scanners and heads-up displays do? Are they
>mechanical??

It is possible to deflect lasers (etc.) non-mechanically.  However, it is
a colossal pain to do, and substantial deflections are difficult.  As far
as I know, all "real" systems except perhaps some fancy military things
use mechanical deflection.
-- 
Mars can wait:  we've barely   |     Henry Spencer at U of Toronto Zoology
started exploring the Moon.    | uunet!attcan!utzoo!henry henry@zoo.toronto.edu


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