Polygonal laser scanning is the technology of choice in a variety of applications. It can be used to write information as in laser marking and printing, direct-to-plate imaging, film recording and laser projection; or as a reader for bar code scanning, densitometry, web inspection and agricultural inspection.Glenn E. Stutz, Lincoln Laser Co.Reading and writing systems for polygonal scanners differ in the use of the scanner. However, many performance characteristics are similar for both. In writing applications, a light source, usually a laser, is scanned by the polygon mirror to create an image line. Reading applications may use the polygon only for receiving, as in passive scene acquisition; only for transmitting laser light, such as an inspection application with a separate receive path; or for transmitting and receiving, such as in a laser radar application. This article will focus on writing applications. 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