| Absorbance | The ability of a medium to absorb radiation, depending on temperature and wavelength.
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| Absorption Coefficient | The amount of radiant energy absorbed per unit path length.
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| Absorption | The process by which light is absorbed and converted into other forms of energy.
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| Alignment | The precise positioning of optical components to ensure optimal performance.
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| Amplification | The growth of the radiation field in the laser resonator cavity.
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| Amplitude Modulation | A method of transmitting signals by varying the amplitude of a wave.
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| Anisotropy | The property of being directionally dependent, which can affect the behavior of light in materials.
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| Anode | An electrical element in laser excitation that attracts electrons from a cathode.
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| Aperture | An opening through which light travels.
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| AR Coatings (Anti-Reflection Coatings) | Coatings applied to optical surfaces to reduce reflections and increase transmission efficiency.
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| Attenuation | The reduction in the power of a signal as it travels through a medium.
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| Autocollimator | A device combining the functions of a telescope and a collimator to detect small angular displacements of a mirror.
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| Axial-Flow Laser | A gas laser with axial gas flow to replace gas molecules depleted by the electrical discharge.
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| Beam Bender | Hardware or optical device, such as a mirror, capable of changing the laser direction.
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| Beam Diameter | The diameter of that portion of the beam that contains 86% of the output power.
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| Beam Divergence | The spreading of a laser beam as it propagates.
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| Beam Expander | An optical device that increases the diameter of a laser beam.
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| Beam Profiling | The measurement and analysis of the spatial intensity distribution of a laser beam.
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| Beam Quality | A measure of the laser beam's focusability and divergence, important for precision applications.
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| Bragg Grating | A structure in a fiber that reflects particular wavelengths of light and transmits others.
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| Brewster Windows | Transparent optical material set at Brewster’s angle in gas lasers to achieve zero reflective loss of vertically polarized light.
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| Brightness | The visual sensation of the luminous power of a light beam.
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| Calorimeter | An instrument that measures the heat generated by absorption of the laser beam.
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| Cathode | The element providing the electrons for the electrical discharge used to excite the lasing medium.
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| Cavity | The space between the mirrors of a laser in which lasing action occurs.
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| Chromatic Aberration | A distortion in imaging caused by different wavelengths of light focusing at different distances.
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| Cladding | The outer layer of a fiber optic cable that traps light in the core.
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| Coaxial Gas | Shield of inert gas flowing over the work surface in laser welding to prevent oxidation and control heat reaction.
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| Coherence | The property of light waves where the phase difference between the waves is constant.
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| Coherent Light | Light waves that have a constant phase relationship.
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| Collimated Light | Light rays that are parallel, allowing a sharp image to be focused.
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| Collimation | The process of aligning the light rays to be parallel.
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| Connector Termination | The process of attaching a connector to the end of an optical fiber to enable easy connection and disconnection with other optical components or devices. This involves stripping the fiber, cleaving it, and then securing it within the connector housing. Proper connector termination is crucial for maintaining low signal loss and high reliability in fiber optic networks. Common types of connectors include SC, LC, ST, and MPO, each designed for specific applications and performance requirements.
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| Continuous Wave (CW) | A laser emission mode where the laser emits light continuously.
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| Convergence | The bending of light rays toward each other by a positive lens.
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| Coupler | A device that combines or splits optical signals.
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| Crosstalk | Interference caused by overlapping signals in a communication system.
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| Cutting Speed | The rate at which a laser can cut through material.
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| CW (Continuous Wave) | The continuous emission mode of a laser, as opposed to pulsed operation.
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| Depth of Field | The working range of the beam, a function of wavelength, diameter of the unfocused beam, and focal length of the lens.
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| Dichroic Mirror | A mirror that reflects certain wavelengths while transmitting others.
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| Diffraction | The bending of light waves around obstacles and the spreading of light waves when they pass through small openings.
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| Diode-Pumped Solid-State Laser (DPSSL) | A solid-state laser in which the gain medium is optically pumped by a laser diode.
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| Dispersion | The spreading of light pulses as they travel down a fiber due to different speeds of light for different wavelengths.
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| Divergence | The angle at which a laser beam spreads as it propagates.
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| Drift | Undesirable variations in laser output, either in amplitude or frequency.
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| Duty Cycle | The length of time the laser beam is actually active compared to the entire work cycle time.
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| Edge Quality | The condition of the cut edge, influenced by laser beam control and motion stability.
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| Electromagnetic Wave | A disturbance propagating outward from an oscillating or accelerated electric charge.
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| Electro-Optic Modulation | The modulation of a light beam by varying the electric field applied to an electro-optic material.
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| Embedded Laser | A laser within a system whose class is higher than the system’s overall classification due to engineering controls limiting emissions.
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| Emissivity | The ratio of the radiant energy emitted by a surface to that emitted by a black body at the same temperature.
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| End-Face Geometry | The shape and finish of the end surface of a fiber optic cable.
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| Enhanced Pulsing | Electronic modulation of a laser beam to produce high peak power at the initial stage of the pulse.
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| Etch | Marking material without cutting through it, usually achieved by reducing laser power.
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| Excimer Laser | A form of ultraviolet laser important in microlithography and laser surgery.
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| Excitation | The process of raising the energy level of an electron in an atom or molecule.
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| Far-Field Imaging | An imaging technique with solid-state lasers that has limitations like non-uniform energy distribution and short working distances.
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| Far-Field Region | The region far from a radiating element where the angular field distribution does not change with distance.
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| Feed Rate | The speed at which the cutting head moves during laser processing.
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| Femtosecond Laser | A laser that emits pulses with durations in the femtosecond range (10^-15 seconds).
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| Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) | A type of distributed Bragg reflector constructed in a short segment of optical fiber that reflects particular wavelengths of light.
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| Fiber Cleaving | The process of cutting or breaking an optical fiber at a precise angle and with a smooth, flat end face. This is a critical step in fiber optic splicing and termination to ensure minimal signal loss and reflection. Proper fiber cleaving is essential for high-performance fiber optic connections.
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| Fiber End Cap | A protective and functional element added to the end of an optical fiber. The end cap can be made of glass or other materials and serves several purposes, such as reducing the power density at the fiber tip to prevent damage, facilitating easier handling, and improving the fiber's performance in high-power applications. End caps are often used in high-power laser delivery systems and other demanding optical applications.
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| Fiber Lensing | The process of shaping the end of an optical fiber into a lens to enhance its ability to focus or collimate light. This can be done using various techniques such as chemical etching, laser micromachining, or melting the fiber tip. Fiber lensing is commonly used in applications requiring efficient light coupling between fibers and other optical components or devices.
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| Fiber Optic Splicing | The process of joining two fiber optic cables together.
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| Fiber Optic Termination | The preparation of the end of a fiber to allow for connection to other fibers or devices.
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| Flashlamp | A source of powerful light used to excite photon emission in a solid-state laser.
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| Fluorescence | The glow induced in a material when bombarded by light.
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| Flux | The radiant or luminous power of a light beam.
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| Fluence | The optical energy delivered per unit area. Its most common units are J / cm 2 (joules per square centimeter).
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| F-Number | The focal length of a lens divided by its usable diameter, affecting beam focus and depth of field.
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| Focal Point | The point where rays of light meet after being converged by a lens.
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| Folded Resonator | A laser cavity construction with the optical path bent by mirrors for compact packaging.
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| Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) | A technique used to obtain the infrared spectrum of absorption or emission of a solid, liquid, or gas.
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| Frequency Doubling | The generation of light with a wavelength that is half of the original wavelength.
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| Frequency | The number of light waves passing a fixed point per unit of time.
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| Gain Medium | The active laser medium that provides optical gain through stimulated emission.
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| Gain | The amplification of light intensity in a laser medium.
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| Galvo/Galvonometer | A system used to direct the laser using mirrors to machine features in the material
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| Gaussian Beam | A beam of electromagnetic radiation whose amplitude envelope is defined by a Gaussian function.
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| Grating | An optical component with a periodic structure that diffracts light.
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| Hard Limit | A physical stop preventing a machine from moving beyond certain limits.
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| Heat Sink | A device used to dissipate unwanted heat.
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| Heat-Affected Zone (HAZ) | The area where the laser beam and metal surface are in contact.
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| Helium-Neon Laser (HeNe) | A laser with a mixture of helium and neon, used widely for alignment, recording, printing, and measuring.
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| Hertz (Hz) | The unit of frequency, equivalent to cycles per second.
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| Hold Tolerance | The precision level of laser cuts relative to a predetermined target.
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| Holography | A technique for recording and reconstructing the amplitude and phase distributions of light waves.
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| Incident Light | A ray of light that falls on the surface of a lens or any other object.
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| Index of Refraction | A measure of how much light slows down as it travels through a medium.
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| Intensity | The magnitude of radiant energy per unit, such as time or reflecting surface.
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| Interferometer | A device that measures the interference of light waves.
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| Ion Laser | A laser that uses a high discharge current to ionize a noble gas, creating a population inversion for lasing.
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| Joule | A measurement of energy frequently given for laser output in pulsed operation.
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| Kerf | The width of the cut or groove made by a laser beam, influenced by material properties and cutting parameters.
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| Keyholing | Deep-penetration holes created in welding, filled quickly with molten metal.
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| Laser Ablation | The process of removing material from a solid surface by irradiating it with a laser beam.
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| Laser Accessories | Hardware and options available for lasers, such as secondary gases and electronic shutters.
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| Laser Dicing | A process used to cut or separate semiconductor wafers into individual dies or chips. This method is highly precise and minimizes damage to the delicate semiconductor material.
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| Laser Diode | A semiconductor device that emits coherent light when an electric current passes through it.
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| Laser Drilling | The use of laser technology to create holes in materials. This process is precise and can be used to drill very small holes with high accuracy in various materials, including metals, ceramics, and polymers.
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| Laser Engraving | A process that uses a laser beam to engrave or mark an object.
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| Laser Hardening | A process where a laser beam is used to harden metal.
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| Laser Marking | The use of a laser to engrave or etch text, logos, barcodes, or other identifiers on the surface of a material. This process is commonly used for labeling and traceability in manufacturing.
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| Laser Micromachining | The use of lasers to machine small features with high precision on various materials.
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| Laser Milling | A subtractive manufacturing process that uses laser technology to remove material from a workpiece, creating intricate 3D shapes and patterns. This process is highly accurate and can be used to machine hard materials.
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| Laser Oscillation | The buildup of the coherent wave between laser cavity end mirrors.
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| Laser Patterning | A technique that uses lasers to create specific patterns on the surface of a material. This method is often used in the manufacture of electronics and other high-precision components.
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| Laser Pulsing | The emission of laser light in short bursts or pulses.
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| Laser Pumping | Energy transfer from an external source to the gain medium to achieve population inversion for lasing.
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| Laser Rod | A solid-state, rod-shaped lasing medium excited by a source of intense light.
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| Laser Scribing | A technique used to create fine lines or grooves on a material's surface. Laser scribing is often used in the semiconductor and photovoltaic industries for cutting and patterning wafers.
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| Laser Slitting | The use of a laser to cut narrow slits in a material. This process is commonly used in the production of films, foils, and other thin materials, providing clean and precise cuts.
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| Laser Texturing | The process of using a laser to modify the surface texture of a material. This can improve surface properties such as adhesion, friction, and appearance, and is used in various industrial applications.
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| Laser Welding | The use of a laser to join materials together.
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| Leading Edge Spike | The initial pulse in a series of pulsed laser emissions.
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| Lens | An optic used to focus or shape a laser beam.
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| Light Amplification | The process of increasing the intensity of light.
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| Light Emitting Diode (LED) | A semiconductor device that emits light when an electric current passes through it.
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| Light | Electromagnetic radiation detectable by the human eye, with a wavelength range of about 400 to 750 nanometers.
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| Lithography | A method for patterning a surface using light or electron beams.
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| Luminance | The luminous flux per unit area on a receiving surface.
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| Master Oscillator Power Amplifier (MOPA) | A system consisting of a master laser and an optical amplifier to boost output power.
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| Meniscus Lens | A lens with one side convex and the other concave, used in CO2 lasers.
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| Mode | The arrangement or condition for laser operation, such as continuous emission or pulses.
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| Mode-Locking | A technique in laser physics that generates ultrashort pulses.
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| Modulation | The ability to superimpose an external signal on the output beam of the laser.
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| Monochromatic Light | Light that consists of a single wavelength.
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| Nanometer (nm) | A unit of length equal to one billionth of a meter, used to represent wavelength.
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| Nanophotonics | The study and application of light on the nanometer scale.
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| Nd | YAG Laser
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| NEMA | National Electrical Manufacturers’ Association, defining safety standards for electrical equipment.
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| Nonlinear Optics | The branch of optics that describes the behavior of light in nonlinear media.
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| Nozzle | A component directing assist gas to the cutting zone, affecting cut quality and efficiency.
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| Numerical Aperture (NA) | A measure of the ability of a fiber to collect light, affecting resolution and light-gathering ability.
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| Optical Amplifier | A device that amplifies an optical signal directly, without converting it to an electrical signal.
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| Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) | A non-invasive imaging technique using light waves to take cross-section pictures.
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| Optical Density (OD) | A measure of a filter's effectiveness in reducing light transmission at specific wavelengths.
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| Optical Density | A measure of how much a material can absorb light.
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| Optical Fiber Assembly | A complete system of optical fibers, connectors, and other components that are assembled and configured to transmit optical signals. This assembly typically includes optical fibers, protective coatings, connectors, splices, and sometimes additional elements like splitters or couplers. Optical fiber assemblies are used in various applications such as telecommunications, data communications, medical equipment, and industrial systems.
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| Optical Fiber | A filament of optical material capable of transmitting light.
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| Optical Interconnects | Connections using optical fibers to transmit data between devices.
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| Optical Modulation | The process of varying a property of light to encode information.
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| Optical Pumping | Exciting the lasing medium by the application of light.
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| Optical Resonator | A cavity in which light is confined and allowed to oscillate.
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| Optical Switch | A device that selectively switches optical signals from one channel to another.
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| Optoelectronics | The study and application of electronic devices that source, detect, and control light.
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| Output Coupler | The resonator mirror that transmits light.
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| Output Power | The energy per second emitted from the laser in the form of coherent light.
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| Oxygen Assist | Using oxygen in laser cutting to enhance cutting speed through an exothermic reaction.
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| Peak Power | The maximum power delivered during a laser pulse.
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| Photon | The elemental unit of light in quantum theory.
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| Plasma | A metal vapor formed above the spot where the laser beam reacts with the metal surface.
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| Polarization | Restriction of the vibrations of the electromagnetic field to a single plane.
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| Population Inversion | When more molecules are in a metastable state than in the ground state, necessary for lasing.
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| Positioning Tolerance | The precision of part placement or cutting pattern in CNC-controlled laser systems.
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| Power Density | The amount of radiant energy concentrated on a surface.
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| Power Meter | A device used to monitor laser beam power.
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| Power Ramping | A controlled change in the power level of a laser beam.
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| Pulse Energy | The power of a single, brief emission from a laser programmed for pulsed behavior.
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| Pulse Frequency | The rate at which laser pulses are generated, measured in Hertz (Hz).
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| Pulsed Laser Deposition | A thin film deposition technique where a high-power pulsed laser beam is focused inside a vacuum chamber to strike a target of the material to be deposited.
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| Q-Switch | A device that controls the quality factor of a laser resonator to produce high-peak-power pulses.
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| Quantum Cascade Laser (QCL) | A type of semiconductor laser that emits in the mid- to far-infrared portion of the electromagnetic spectrum.
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| Raman Effect | Energy transfer between a photon and the vibrational/rotational energy of a molecule.
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| Raman Scattering | The inelastic scattering of photons by molecules, used in Raman spectroscopy.
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| Reflectance | The ratio of reflected flux to incident flux.
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| Reflection | The return of light waves from a surface.
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| Refraction | The bending of incident rays as they pass from one medium to another.
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| Refractive Index | A dimensionless number that describes how light propagates through a medium.
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| Repeatability Tolerance | The ability of a laser system to consistently reproduce the same cutting pattern or part placement within specified precision limits.
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| Resolution | The ability of an optical instrument to produce separable images of different points.
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| Resonator | The mirrors making up the laser cavity containing the laser rod or tube.
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| Rotating Lens | Beam delivery in a circular movement for cutting large-diameter holes.
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| Scanner | See Galvo/Galvonometer
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| Scintillation | Rapid variations in light intensity due to atmospheric turbulence.
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| Single-Mode Fiber | An optical fiber designed to carry light only directly down the fiber - the transverse mode.
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| Soft Limit | A software-defined boundary preventing a laser cutting machine from exceeding specific motion limits.
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| Spectroscopy | The study of the interaction between matter and electromagnetic radiation.
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| Spot Size | The diameter of the laser beam's focal point, influencing power density and cutting precision.
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| Stimulated Emission | Emission of photons when an excited atom is stimulated by another photon.
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| Supercontinuum Generation | The generation of a broad spectrum of light by passing intense light through a nonlinear medium.
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| TEM (Transverse Electromagnetic Mode) | The cross-sectional shape of the working laser beam.
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| Thermal Lensing | The distortion of a laser beam caused by heating of the medium through which it passes.
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| Threshold | The point where lasing begins during the excitation of the laser medium.
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| Total Internal Reflection | The phenomenon that occurs when a propagating wave strikes a medium boundary at an angle larger than the critical angle.
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| Transformation Hardening | A process of hardening metal by heating, quenching, and solidifying.
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| Transmittance | The fraction of incident light that passes through a material.
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| Trepanning the Beam | Relative motion of the beam with respect to the part, usually in a circular fashion.
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| Ultrafast Laser | A laser that emits pulses with durations in the picosecond or femtosecond range.
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| Ultraviolet (UV) Laser | A laser that emits light in the ultraviolet range of the electromagnetic spectrum.
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| Variable Optical Attenuator (VOA) | A device used to reduce the power level of an optical signal.
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| Visible Light Transmission | The amount of visible light that passes through a filter.
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| Wave | A form of movement by which radiant energy travels.
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| Waveguide | A structure that guides electromagnetic waves, such as light, with minimal loss of energy by restricting expansion to one dimension or two.
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| Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM) | A technology that combines multiple optical signals on a single fiber by using different wavelengths of laser light.
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| Wavelength | The fundamental property of light determining its color.
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| Window | A piece of glass with plane parallel sides that admits light into or through an optical system.
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| Zinc Selenide (ZnSe) | A material commonly used for making optical components such as lenses and windows for infrared applications.
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