An acousto-optic light deflector for controllably deflecting light beams in an optical system characterized by the deflectors being arranged in a matrix and wherein each deflector has a shape so that a standing sound wave is utilized to form a phase grating therein. Each of the units is provided with a piezoelectric transducer which creates a high frequency ultrasonic standing wave having a frequency between 30 and 200 MHz. The system may include an optical device for focusing all of the beams deflected in the same direction to a single spot on a plane.
Apparatus and process for deflecting the direction of light beams in a controllable fashion