A novel method for the analysis of polygon mirror-based laser scanners

We present a novel theory of laser scanning heads with rotational polygon mirrors (PMs) [Proc. of the Romanian Acad. Series A 18, 25-33, 2017, http://www.acad.ro/doc2017-1/04Duma.pdf; Appl. Sci. 12, 5592, 2022, https://doi.org/10.3390/app12115592]. An as simple as possible approach has been developed, with purely algebraic expressions for the scanning function, velocity, and acceleration; also, for the characteristic pairs of angles, the field-of-view (FOV), and the duty cycle. Advantages of this analysis are pointed out, from the newly defined and ascertained (transversal and axial) migration functions (that characterize the movement of the laser beam on the polygon facets) to the way the characteristic functions can be utilized to extend the discussion from a scanning ray to laser beams with finite diameters. The developed multi-parameter analysis of PMs that is based on this theory is briefly presented. Elements of design optimization are highlighted, in a link between optical and mechanical aspects of PMs. A few examples of applications developed by other groups based on this theory are presented, from building PM-based 3D printers to advances in laser manufacturing systems.