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Glite Dictionary
optical maser

optical maser

8.2
A device that makes a very strong single-color beam of light
  • noun
  • /ˈɑptɪkəl ˈmeɪzər/
  • Archaic
translation icon : maser óptico
  • Though the term optical maser is rarely used today, it marked the beginning of laser research.

Examples

  • The optical maser is a key component in many modern technologies.

  • The first optical maser was developed in the early 1960s, paving the way for modern laser technology.

  • Scientists built an optical maser to study the behavior of coherent light.

  • Did you know that the first optical maser was developed in the 1960s?

  • The scientist successfully built an optical maser, which created a powerful beam of light for his experiments.

  • In the 1960s, researchers expressed great enthusiasm for the advancements in optical masers as they promised to revolutionize communication technology.

  • Many engineers studied the operation of the optical maser to understand its role in modern fiber optic systems.

Synonyms

laser
vsoptical maser
  • Specialized
492 3.9

A machine that makes a strong, narrow beam of light used to cut or read codes

is the earlier historical name used before the modern term

Surface Forms

optical maser singular
optical masers plural

Morphology

optical + maser

The compound is a straightforward adjective + noun composition: 'optical' (relating to light) modifies 'maser' (a device that uses stimulated emission). A learner who knows both constituents can infer it is a maser operating in the optical (light) range—i.e., an early term for a laser—so the meaning is directly derivable from the parts.

Etymology

Optical maser comes from an earlier machine called the maser, which made very strong microwaves, and optical simply means 'light'. When scientists made the same machine for visible light they called it an optical maser, and that name later became the shorter word 'laser', so optical maser is an early name for 'laser'.