lasers
Focused light beams
Lasers are devices that produce intense, highly focused beams of light through stimulated emission of radiation—the acronym stands for "light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation." Lasers range from tiny pointers to industrial cutters to weapons systems.
The concentrated beam allows precision: laser surgery, laser engraving, laser sights on firearms.
Figuratively, laser describes intense focus: laser-focused on the goal.
Structural support member
- photonElectromagnetic radiation unit
- coherenceLogical internal consistency
- monochromaticOf one hue
- wavelengthSpatial repetition interval
collimation · refraction · diffraction · polarization · interference · fluorescence · spectroscopy · holography
One-way semiconductor
- semiconductorPartial electrical conductor
- fiber-opticLight-carrying cable technology
- solid-stateUsing semiconductors, not tubes
- excimerExcited-state diatomic molecule
pulsed · resonator · cavity · amplification · photonics · modulation · telecommunications
Selecting as objective
- militaryArmed forces collectively
- defenseProtection against harm
- dazzlerOne that impresses greatly
- blindingPainfully intense light
satellite · turret · railgun · phaser · ray-gun · sci-fi · death-ray · plasma
Carving into hard surfaces
- etchingAcid-incised metal print
- ablationRemoval by cutting, melting
- weldingHeat-fusing metal pieces
- drillingHole-making by rotation
marking · scribing · fabrication · CNC · piercing · slicing · trimming · sintering
Light-based distance measurement
- rangefinderInstrument measuring observer-to-target distance
- interferometryMeasurement using wave combination patterns
- alignmentCorrect relative positioning
- surveyingMeasuring and charting terrain
topography · calibration · targeting · tracking · bathymetry · geodesy · telemetry · time-of-flight
Programmed illumination entertainment
- hologram3D image from light
- planetariumProjected sky exhibit hall
- concertLive musical performance
- raveEnthusiastic praise or nightlong dance
disco · projection · nightclub · festival · pyrotechnics · scanning · galvanometer · DMX
Corneal vision correction
- ophthalmologyMedical specialty for eyes
- dermatologyStudy of skin ailments
- resurfacingComing up again
- oncologyCancer medicine specialty
cauterization · cataract · corneal · cosmetic · lithotripsy · microsurgery · excimer
beam
Structural support member
- photonElectromagnetic radiation unit
- coherenceLogical internal consistency
- monochromaticOf one hue
wavelength · collimation · refraction · diffraction · polarization · interference · fluorescence · spectroscopy · holography · infrared
diode
One-way semiconductor
- semiconductorPartial electrical conductor
- fiber-opticLight-carrying cable technology
- solid-stateUsing semiconductors, not tubes
excimer · pulsed · resonator · cavity · amplification · photonics · modulation · telecommunications
targeting
Selecting as objective
blinding · satellite · turret · railgun · phaser · ray-gun · sci-fi · death-ray · plasma · zap
engraving
Carving into hard surfaces
drilling · marking · scribing · fabrication · CNC · piercing · slicing · trimming · sintering · machining
LIDAR
Light-based distance measurement
- rangefinderInstrument measuring observer-to-target distance
- interferometryMeasurement using wave combination patterns
- alignmentCorrect relative positioning
surveying · topography · calibration · targeting · tracking · bathymetry · geodesy · telemetry · time-of-flight · positioning
lightshow
Programmed illumination entertainment
- hologram3D image from light
- planetariumProjected sky exhibit hall
- concertLive musical performance
rave · disco · projection · nightclub · festival · pyrotechnics · scanning · galvanometer · DMX
LASIK
Corneal vision correction
- ophthalmologyMedical specialty for eyes
- dermatologyStudy of skin ailments
- resurfacingComing up again
oncology · cauterization · cataract · corneal · cosmetic · lithotripsy · microsurgery · excimer
- American InnovationEdison, Thomas Edison, Bell Labs, Silicon Valley, Wright brothers
- Sci-fi Weaponsray gun, phaser, blaster, plasma gun, disruptor
- science museumsscience exhibits, exhibits, interactive displays, displays, demonstrations
- video game hazardsspikes, lava, pits, enemies, traps
- opticslens, lenses, mirror, mirrors, prism
- bird deterrentsscarecrow, bird spikes, bird netting, bird net, owl decoy
lasersscattered light
Light redirected by obstacles
diffuse light · incandescent bulbs · incandescent light · sunlight · white light
- laser hair removalLight-based permanent depilation
- laser beamFocused, amplified light emission
- laser tagMock combat with light
- laser gunsWeapons emitting focused light
- laser weaponsWeapons using focused light beams
- laser pointerHandheld focused beam emitter