Laser Experiment — 2026
Laser Projector
On request
Fascination with the Beam: The Vector Architecture of Laser Light
This project was born as a personal technological challenge with a clear goal: to construct a fully functional, fast, and programmable laser projector in a home workshop environment. The result is a working development prototype that bypasses traditional display methods, transforming pure mathematics into geometric light trajectories cut by a laser directly into space.
Unlike conventional raster devices, this system works with uncompromising vector graphics. At the heart of the hardware is the powerful ESP32-S3 processor, whose firmware fully utilizes a dual-core architecture. While the Core 0 (Brain) calculates complex mathematics, chaos, shape morphing, and fills a circular buffer in real time , the dedicated Core 1 (Muscles) focuses exclusively on blasting data to the DAC. The result is a perfectly smooth, sharp, and dynamic stream of laser patterns projected onto studio walls or into tree canopies in a snow-covered garden.
The entire project serves as an open technological laboratory. It is not a final, off-the-shelf product, but a deep masterclass in handling highly sensitive galvo scanner technology and beam modulation, which will form the foundation of my future interactive exhibitions and large-scale art installations.
Dual-Core Optimization and Adaptive Rendering
Achieving a perfect, flicker-free laser image required mastering an uncompromising signal path speed and low-level hardware programming.
An Uncompromising Hardware Chain: The projector utilizes the ESP32-S3 chip paired with a precise MCP4922 DAC converter over an SPI bus running at an extreme frequency of 40 MHz. To eliminate any latency, the code bypasses standard slow system libraries and writes data via direct register access (Direct GPIO & Register Access).
Constant Linear Velocity: The projector features an adaptive rendering algorithm that dynamically scales point density based on the size and complexity of the shape. Centers are drawn rapidly using larger angular steps, while edges and fine details receive tighter, smaller steps. The overall quality and stability of the projection can be precisely controlled by a single parameter.
Generative Effects: In real time, the device calculates and displays a series of mathematical and organic effects—ranging from geometric transformations (Flower Chaos, Infinity, Ring, Oval, Rectangle) to sine waves (Wave) and complex text strings. The effects are toggled using a rotary controller on the projector's 3D-printed chassis, allowing the user to modify parameters and the scale of the image on the fly.
Vector Typography Designed From Scratch
Drawing text with a laser beam comes with strict rules. Standard computer fonts are far too complex for the high-speed movement of galvometric mirrors, which would cause heavy flickering or image distortion. As part of this project, I developed a custom single-line vector font optimized for a smooth, continuous laser stroke. The development process also included creating a dedicated web application where I manually sketch each letter, define its anchor points (an array of structures in C++), and simulate the behavior of the laser trace before uploading the code to the actual hardware.
Specifications
- Dimensions
- 25×9×20 cm (W×H×D)
- Materials
- RGB Laser, ESP32-S3, Electronics, Galvo, 3D Printing
- Weight
- 1,255 g
- Year
- 2026
Projects are made to order. Scope, delivery timeframe, and price are agreed at the start of the project.