A system and method of providing a periodic trajectory scan path for a
laser beam across a photoconductive surface in a laser printer. A
preferred embodiment of the periodic trajectory for a system with a
two-axis deflector includes a multiple-frequency omega wave trajectory for
providing a substantially rectangular grid of available dot locations for
selective laser beam pulsing. As such, a plurality of generally linear
rows of dots are completed in a single scan pass of the laser beam across
the surface. The periodic trajectory is provided by deflecting the laser
beam with an optical beam deflector, such as an electro-optic deflector,
placed between the laser and the rotating polygon scanning mirror. A
preferred embodiment of the beam deflector includes a folded optical path.