Liberal Dictionary English Dictionary
noun Physics.
- a device that produces a nearly parallel, nearly monochromatic, and coherent beam of light by exciting atoms to a higher energy level and causing them to radiate their energy in phase.
noun
- a source of high-intensity optical, infrared, or ultraviolet radiation produced as a result of stimulated emission maintained within a solid, liquid, or gaseous medium. The photons involved in the emission process all have the same energy and phase so that the laser beam is monochromatic and coherent, allowing it to be brought to a fine focus
- any similar source producing a beam of any electromagnetic radiation, such as infrared or microwave radiation
verb (tr)
- to use a laser on (something), esp as part of medical treatment
- (often foll by off) to remove (a tattoo, fat, etc) with laser treatment
noun
- trademark a type of dinghy, designed to be sailed by one person
n.1960, acronym for “light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation,” on pattern of 1955 MASER. A corresponding verb, lase, was coined 1962. n.
- Any of several devices that convert incident electromagnetic radiation of mixed frequencies to discrete frequencies of highly amplified and coherent ultraviolet, visible, or infrared radiation; used in surgery to cut and dissolve tissue.
- Short for light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation. A device that creates and amplifies electromagnetic radiation of a specific frequency through the process of stimulated emission. The radiation emitted by a laser consists of a coherent beam of photons, all in phase and having the same polarization. Lasers have many uses, such as cutting hard or delicate substances, reading data from compact disks and other storage devices, and establishing straight lines in geographical surveying.
A device that produces a very narrow, highly concentrated beam of light. Lasers have a variety of uses in such areas as surgery, welding and metal cutting, and sound and video recording and reproduction. The name is an acronym for light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation.