The laser printer

A new data storage technique, COM (computer output microfilming) along with some principles of acousto-optics, are presented. In the COM system a helium-neon laser tube which emits a red beam with a wavelength of 0.6328 microns reproduces the characters on films by profiling the electron beam through characters and symbols cut individually out of a metal matrix. The beam excites the phosphorus on the screen in the very shape of the characters selected. An acousto-optical system in the optical path deflects the beam to write the characters and compose the pages. When a film with dry development is used, the adequate power of the laser beam is bracketed between 2 and 5 milliwatts.