A raster scanner (10) with laser (15) for generating a scanning beam (25) and compact folded optical for transmitting the beam to the object (12) to be scanned. The optical system includes a first mirror (24) for guiding the laser beam to an electro-optic modulator (27), a second mirror (30) beyond the modulator for reflecting the beam to a third mirror (33) which guides the beam to the mirrored facets of a rotary polygon (35), the polygon scanning the beam through a preset scan arc and returning the beam via a lens system (45) to the third mirror which reflects the scan beam to a fourth mirror (47) for reflecting the scan beam to the object (12).