Glossary of Laser Terms-L

Laser

An acronym for light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation. A laser is a cavity with mirrors at the ends, filled with material such as crystal, glass, liquid, gas or dye. It produces an intense beam of light with the unique properties of coherency, collimation, and monochromaticity.

Laser Accessories

The hardware and options available for lasers, such as secondary gases, Brewster windows, Q-switches and electronic shutters.

Laser Controlled Area    

See Controlled Area.

Laser Device

Either a laser or a laser system.

 Laser Medium

(Active Medium) Material used to emit the laser light and for which the laser is named.

 Laser Rod

A solid-state, rod-shaped lasing medium in which ion excitation is caused by a source of intense light, such as a flash lamp. Various materials are used for the rod, the earliest of which was synthetic ruby crystal.

 Laser Safety Manager (LSM)

One who has authority to monitor and enforce measures to control laser hazards and effect the knowledgeable evaluation and control of laser hazards.

 Laser System

An assembly of electrical, mechanical and optical components which includes a laser. Under the Federal Standard, a laser in combination with its power supply (energy source).

  Lens

A curved piece of optically transparent material which, depending on its shape, is used to either converge or diverge light.

  Limiting Aperture

The maximum circular area over which radiance and radiant exposure can be averaged when determining safety hazards