Aspects of the disclosure include methods for generating angularly deflected laser beams for irradiating a sample in a flow stream. Methods according to certain embodiments include generating a first set of angularly deflected laser beams and a second set of angularly deflected laser beams, propagating the first set of angularly deflected laser beams along a different optical path from the second set of angularly deflected laser beams, combining the first set of angularly deflected laser beams with the second set of angularly deflected laser beams and directing the combined sets of laser beams onto a sample in a flow stream and detecting light from the sample. Systems having a laser, an acousto-optic device and an optical adjustment component configured to generate a first set of angularly deflected laser beams and a second set of angularly deflected laser beams are also described.