Acousto-optic system having phase-shifting reflector

A beam positioner, comprising:

• a first acousto-optic deflector (AOD) operative to diffract laser light so as to deflect a beam path within a first one-dimensional scan field extending along a first axis of a two-dimensional scan field;
• a phase retarder, a mirror and a second AOD arranged within the beam path along which the laser light is propagatable from the first AOD,
• wherein the phase retarder and mirror are arranged between the first AOD and the second AOD, and
• wherein the second AOD is operative to diffract the laser light so as to deflect the beam path within a second one-dimensional scan field extending along a second axis of the two-dimensional scan field, and
• wherein the mirror is a zero phase-shift mirror.

A beam positioner, comprising:

• a first acousto-optic deflector (AOD) operative to diffract laser light so as to deflect a beam path within a first one-dimensional scan field extending along a first axis of a two-dimensional scan field;
• a phase retarder, a mirror and a second AOD arranged within the beam path along which the laser light is propagatable from the first AOD,
• wherein the phase retarder and mirror are arranged between the first AOD and the second AOD, and
• wherein the second AOD is operative to diffract the laser light so as to deflect the beam path within a second one-dimensional scan field extending along a second axis of the two-dimensional scan field, and
• wherein the mirror is a reflective phase-retarder configured to impart a phase shift between S and P components of linearly polarized laser light incident thereto.