Doesn't NEED to be anything more powerful than a '52, but more power might get you more points displayed. Mechanical transducer bandwidth limits you much more than the processor.

Raster systems can be used, but you need two VERY fast spinning polygonal mirrors to get you to video speeds, and then you have to switch the spot on and off very quickly, which is not too hard with diode lasers, but is very tricky with high power Argon-ion lasers.

Steve