Abstract: An improved system for scanning images is provided. The system includes a housing having a transparent support surface on which the document or other image being scanned is placed. The housing further contains an array of generally triangular-shaped prisms optically aligned. The array of prisms is coated with one of two types of electro-optical materials, one that makes the prisms reflective in the presence of an electromagnetic field and transparent in the absence of an electromagnetic field, and another that makes the prisms reflective in the absence of an electromagnetic field and transparent in the presence of an electromagnetic field. The electromagnetic field is created by applying a voltage across the coated prisms. A sequencer is used to activate individual electro-optical prisms so that the slices of the image can be reflected. By sequentially activating the electro-optical prisms, successive slices of the image can be presented to an image receptor disposed outside of the housing.