EMI Dictionary Terms
Q-switched pulseA laser output that occurs when the cavity resonator Q is first kept very low, using rotating mirrors or saturable...
infraredInfrared (IR) refers to the region of the electromagnetic spectrum with wavelengths longer than those of visible light, but...
wedge ring detectorA diffraction pattern sampling unit composed of a 32-element monolithic silicon photodiode array and a readout unit. The...
alexandriteA host crystal for chromium that emits pulsed or continuous-wave laser light, tunable from about 720 to 790 nm.
enzyme-linked immunosorbent assayAn enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) is a laboratory technique used to detect and measure the presence of specific...
flying spotThe moving spot of light emitted by a source, generally a cathode-ray tube, to illuminate specific points of an area...
III-V materialIn semiconductor physics and materials science, the term "III-V materials" refers to compounds composed of elements from...
luminous intensityLuminous flux emitted by a source in a given range of directions; the unit of measure is the lumen/steradian, now known as...
adsorption indicatorA chemical placed in a solution that will indicate when an excess of a substance or ion has been reached by coloring the...
laser Q-spoilerA fast-action shutter inserted between one end of a laser rod and the end mirror; when inserted to prevent emission and then...
nanopositioningNanopositioning refers to the precise and controlled movement or manipulation of objects or components at the nanometer...
gallium nitrideGallium nitride (GaN) is a compound made up of gallium (Ga) and nitrogen (N). It is a wide-bandgap semiconductor material...
laser outputThe laser output refers to the generated and emitted light produced by a laser system. This output is characterized by...
near-infrared spectrometerA near-infrared (NIR) spectrometer is an analytical instrument used to measure the absorption, transmission, or reflection...
optoelectronicsOptoelectronics is a branch of electronics that focuses on the study and application of devices and systems that use light...
near-ultraviolet light sourceA light source, such as the sun or an incandescent lamp, that freely penetrates ordinary glass bulbs and emits in the...
laser anemometryThe process by which laser emission is used in measuring fluid velocity and, more specifically, the detection of air and...
wavelength shifterA photofluorescent compound that, when used with a scintillating substance, absorbs photons and emits related photons having...
metallorganic chemical vapor depositionA method of growing single crystals in which atoms and molecules from gaseous organic compounds interact and form a layer on...
optical ceramicsTransparent glassy and or crystalline structured materials engineered from inorganic, non-metallic materials via various...
single molecule localization microscopySingle molecule localization microscopy (SMLM) is a group of super-resolution microscopy techniques that surpass the...
radiation angleHalf the vertex angle of the cone of light emitted by a fiber.
flexible displayA flexible display refers to a type of electronic visual display that is designed to be bendable, foldable, or rollable,...
source efficiencyThe ratio of emitted optical power of a source to the input electrical power.
radiant exitanceThe radiant flux per unit area emitted from a surface.
KynarPennwalt's trade name for polyvinylidene fluoride, a material used in the jacket of fiber optic cables where low smoke...
light-emitting diodeAn LED, or light emitting diode, is a semiconductor device that emits light when an electric current passes through it. LEDs...
ion emissionThe ejecting of ions from the surface of a material.
mosaicOne surface of a nonconducting plate that is coated with many minute particles of photoemissive material that are insulated...
quenchingThe inhibition or elimination of one process by another process. The stimulated emission of a laser oscillator can be...
cathode streamAlso known as cathode rays. Formerly, this term described a stream of electrons emitted from the cathode of a gas-discharge...
flame spectrometryThe procedure applied to flame-excited line emissions to determine spectra and wavelengths.
pulsarAn astronomical body that emits radiation concentrated by a strong magnetic field into two beams that rotate, giving a...
carbon dioxide laserA gas laser in which the energy-state transitions between vibrational and rotational states of CO2 molecules give emission...
monoscope cathode-ray tubeA character generation CRT that functions on the principle of secondary emission. The target holds a set of aluminum...
synchrotronA synchrotron is a type of particle accelerator that uses magnetic fields to steer charged particles, typically electrons or...
neodymium:YAGLiterally, neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet. A cylindrical rod of yttrium-aluminum-garnet doped with neodymium that is the...
saturation1. The decrease of the absorption (or gain) coefficient of a medium near some transition frequency when the power of the...
incandescenceThe emission of light by thermal radiation of a temperature high enough to render the source of radiation visible.
attosecond-pump attosecond-probe spectroscopyAttosecond-pump attosecond-probe spectroscopy (APAP) is an advanced technique in ultrafast spectroscopy that allows...
polaritonA polariton is a quasiparticle resulting from the strong coupling between photons (light particles) and certain types of...
electroluminescenceThe nonthermal conversion of electrical energy into light in a liquid or solid substance. The photon emission resulting from...
femtosecond laserA femtosecond laser is a type of laser that emits ultrashort pulses of light with durations on the order of femtoseconds,...
xyleneFluid used to aid in examination of semifinished blanks.
substrateA substrate refers to a material or surface upon which another material or process is applied or deposited. In various...
Bohr's frequency relationThe law given by the formula:
that is, the frequency of radiation emitted or absorbed by a system when E2 and E1...
two-photon polymerizationTwo-photon polymerization (TPP) is a technique used in additive manufacturing, specifically in the field of 3D printing. It...
voltaic cellAn electric cell having two electrodes of unlike metals immersed in a solution that chemically affects one or both of them,...
calorimetryCalorimetry is a branch of science that involves the measurement of heat flow in physical or chemical processes. It...
Schottky-barrier IRCCDA form of infrared CCD that utilizes internal photoemission as a photodetection mechanism.
actinometerA device that measures the intensity of photochemically active radiation, particularly from the sun. One form of this...
linarCelestial point sources that emit specific wavelengths of radiation that appear on spectral charts as narrow lines. The term...
gallium arsenide phosphideGallium arsenide phosphide (GaAsP) is a semiconductor alloy composed of gallium (Ga), arsenic (As), and phosphorus (P). It...
multiphoton processA process involving the interaction (absorption, emission or both) of two or more photons with a molecular entity.
ellipsometryEllipsometry is an optical technique used to characterize the properties of thin films and surfaces. It is based on the...
lumenA lumen is a unit of measurement used to quantify the amount of luminous flux, which is the perceived power of light. In...
electron cyclotron maserA maser that relies on the fact that electrons in orbital motion in high-magnetic fields will emit energy at the cyclotron...
sputtering targetA sputtering target is a solid material used in the process of physical vapor deposition (PVD), specifically sputtering....
field emission microscopeAn image-forming instrument in which a strong electrostatic field causes cold emission of electrons from a sharply rounded...
light-activated silicon-controlled rectifierA PN-PN device with incident light taking the place of gate current; three of the four semiconductor regions are available...
cathode-ray tubeA vacuum tube with an electron gun at one end and a fluorescent screen at the other. Electrons emitted from a heated...
Mossbauer effect spectroscopySpectroscopy characterized by the Mossbauer effect - recoilless emission and absorption of nuclear gamma radiation- which...
incandescent lampA lamp that emits light when an electric current passes through a resistant metallic wire situated in a vacuum tube.
masks for evaporation/depositionIn the context of thin film deposition processes such as evaporation or sputtering, masks are used to selectively deposit...
detector arrayA detector array refers to a collection of individual detector elements arranged in a two-dimensional grid or matrix format....
mounting cementAn adhesive used to hold optical components in their mounts. It may be a thermoplastic or chemical-hardening substance.
optoisolatorAn optical coupling device that uses light to bridge the gap between incompatible wire communications systems. It contains...
infrared mappingThe process of mapping the infrared emittance of an area through the use of an infrared detector and related scanning...
diodeA two-electrode device with an anode and a cathode that passes current in only one direction. It may be designed as an...
flame emission spectroscopyA technique in photometry that uses an oxyhydrogen or oxyacetylene flame to optically excite a solution containing the...
photoemissive tube photometerA photometer that uses a photoemissive tube to detect and measure light. See photoelectric photometry.
scanning electron microscopyScanning electron microscopy (SEM) is an advanced imaging technique used in microscopy to obtain high-resolution,...
maserAn acronym for microwave amplification by stimulated emission of radiation. Predecessor to the laser, the maser or...
Kerr effectThe Kerr effect, named after the physicist John Kerr who first observed it in 1875, is a nonlinear optical phenomenon where...
integrated photonicsIntegrated photonics is a field of study and technology that involves the integration of optical components, such as lasers,...
continuous-wave laserA laser that emits radiation continuously rather than in short bursts, as in a pulsed laser.
extrinsic propertiesThe properties exhibited by a semiconductor as the result of its modification by imperfections and impurities in the crystal.
vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser
noble gasA monatomic, chemically inert gas such as argon, neon, krypton and xenon.
GaAlAs laserA GaAlAs laser is a type of semiconductor laser diode that emits light in the near-infrared region of the electromagnetic...
fiber optic cable assemblyA fiber optic cable assembly refers to a complete unit consisting of optical fibers, connectors, protective jackets, and...
deep ultravioletDeep ultraviolet (DUV or deep-UV) refers to a specific range of ultraviolet light with shorter wavelengths than those in the...
laser detectorDevice that operates by interaction of incident radiation with semiconductor based material in order to produce an...
refractive index liquidsA closely spaced series of well-known chemicals having a refractive index lying between 1.33 for water and 1.95 for a...
multimodality imagingA technique that combines two or more imaging processes in order to minimize the disadvantages within each of the...
single-photon emission computed tomographyA medical imaging method in which gamma camera heads rotate about the patient to detect radionuclides, enabling physicians...
population inversionThe condition in which there are more atomic systems in the upper of two energy levels than in the lower, so stimulated...
quantum cascade laserA quantum cascade laser (QCL) is a type of semiconductor laser that operates based on the principles of quantum mechanics....
peak spectral emissionThe wavelength at which a lamp radiates its highest intensity.
nitrogen vacancyA nitrogen vacancy (NV) refers to a specific type of defect or impurity in a crystal lattice where a nitrogen atom replaces...
laser-induced fluorescenceLaser-induced fluorescence (LIF) is a spectroscopic technique that involves using a laser to excite molecules or atoms,...
atomic absorption spectrometerAn atomic absorption spectrometer (AAS) is an analytical instrument used to determine the concentration of specific chemical...
axial vapor-phase depositionA vapor-phase oxidation process for fabricating graded-index optical fibers. It differs from outside vapor phase deposition...
laser spark spectroscopyA method of analysis in which a pulsed laser beam is used to heat a particle, producing a plasma, or laser spark. As the...
Nernst glowerA Nernst glower, also known simply as a Nernst lamp or Nernst filament, is a type of incandescent lamp or radiant heater...
directed energyDirected energy refers to a type of energy that is emitted and transferred in a controlled direction. The term is often...
vacuum ultraviolet sourceAny source that emits radiation of wavelengths between 100 and 300 nm. Instruments used to study these sources must be...
fluorescence decay systemA device, also called a fluorescence lifetime instrument, that measures decay curves of fluorescing samples. It generally...
direct-line fluorescenceWith respect to atomic fluorescence spectroscopy, the fluorescence that is emitted by an atom at a spectral line of a...
circular dichroismCircular dichroism (CD) is a spectroscopic technique used to study the structural characteristics of chiral (asymmetric)...
scientific complementary metal-oxide semiconductorScientific complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (sCMOS) refers to a type of image sensor technology specifically designed...
charge-injection deviceA charge-injection device (CID) refers to a class of devices that manipulate and detect electrical charge within a...
photoemissive effect
near-infrared spectroscopy cerebral oximetryA monitoring technique used to measure the oxygen saturation levels in the brains of patients, commonly in operating room...
hydrogelA hydrogel is a three-dimensional network of polymer chains that are hydrophilic, meaning they have a strong affinity for...
Peltier coolerA Peltier cooler, also known as a thermoelectric cooler (TEC) or thermoelectric module, is a solid-state device that uses...
mode beatingIn optics, "mode beating" refers to an interference phenomenon that can occur in laser systems with multiple longitudinal...
photochemical detectorAn instrument used to detect and measure radiant energy by the formation of a chemical reaction.
thermal radiationThe emission of radiant energy in which the energy emitted originates in the thermal motion of the atoms or molecules of the...
varactorA semiconductor diode that exhibits change in capacitance with a change in applied voltage; used as a voltage-variable...
chromosphereA layer between the corona and the photosphere of the sun; its emission is overwhelmed by light emitted by the underlying,...
semiconductorA semiconductor is a type of material that has electrical conductivity between that of a conductor and an insulator. In...
infrared homingThe tracking of a target by its infrared emittance. See heatseeker.
nonselective radiatorAlso known as a gray body; a nonselective radiator is a thermal radiator that has a constant spectral emissivity with...
triacA semiconductor device that functions as an electrically controlled switch for AC loads.
laser crystalA laser crystal, also known as an active medium or gain medium, is a solid-state material used in the construction of...
filament emissionThe freeing of electrons from a filament in an electron tube as the result of the filament being heated by an electric...
semifinished blankA formed piece of glass, one surface of which has been ground and polished to the required curvatures.
direct-view storage tubeA cathode-ray tube in which secondary emission electrons form a display of high intensity.
micro-ring resonatorA micro-ring resonator is a compact optical device that utilizes the resonant behavior of light within a small ring-shaped...
epitaxial equipmentEpitaxial equipment refers to a set of specialized tools and systems used in the process of epitaxy, which is the growth of...
subscriber loopThat portion of the telecommunications network that runs from a local central telephone to the subscriber premises.
monochromatorA monochromator is an optical instrument used to isolate and select a narrow range of wavelengths from a broader spectrum of...
crystal diodeA diode with a semiconducting material, such as germanium or silicon, for one electrode, and a fine wire "whisker''...
photoelectric currentThe electron stream emitted by a phototube when the cathode is exposed to light.
cathode emission
photoemission
transparencyAn image affixed to a transparent photographic film or plate by photographic, printing or chemical methods. It may be viewed...
emission microscopeA type of electron microscope in which the specimen also serves as the cathode source.
point source lampA lamp, usually incandescent, that has a very compact filament, permitting a greater concentration of emitted light, aided...
nonthermal radiationThe radiation emitted from a group of charged particles that does not depend on the temperature of the source in which those...
tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopyA spectroscopic technique that combines the high chemical specificity of Raman scattering and signal sensitivity provided by...
photosensitive recordingThe recording achieved when a surface, illuminated by a signal-controlled light beam, emits electrons or reacts in some...
thermal-infrared cameraA thermal-infrared camera, often referred to simply as a thermal camera, is a type of imaging device that detects infrared...
heat treatingThe process of subjecting glass to temperature cycling to produce physico-chemical reactions that alter its properties....
ground stateAlso known as ground level. The lowest energy level of an atom or atomic system. A material in the ground state is not...
annealingThe process of heating and slowly cooling a solid material, like glass or metal, to stabilize its thermal, electrical or...
pulsed laserA laser that emits energy in a series of short bursts or pulses and that remains inactive between each burst or pulse. The...
slicing and cutting machines - for crystals, quartz, glass, etc.A crystal, glass, or quartz slicing and cutting machine is a specialized piece of equipment used in the manufacturing...
Cerenkov counterAn instrument that detects high-energy charged particles by analysis of the Cerenkov radiation that they emit.
color centerA color center, in the context of materials science and condensed matter physics, refers to a specific type of...
distributed feedback laserA distributed feedback laser (DFB laser) is a type of semiconductor laser diode designed to emit coherent, narrow-bandwidth...
solar simulatorA solar simulator is a device used to replicate the spectrum and intensity of sunlight in a controlled environment for...
single-photon avalanche diodeA single-photon avalanche diode (SPAD) is a specialized type of photodetector designed to detect extremely weak optical...
kron cameraAstronomical detector consisting of a photocathode isolated from the target by a coin value from which electrons are focused...
bleach (or bleacher)A chemical used in the developing of positive photographs that incites oxidation and thereby dissolves the negative silver...
electron-beam lithography systemAn electron-beam lithography (EBL) system is a sophisticated nanofabrication tool used in the semiconductor industry and...
Nd:YAG laserNd:YAG laser refers to a solid-state laser that utilizes neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:Y3Al5O12) as the gain...
liquid crystal on siliconLiquid crystal on silicon (LCoS) is a display technology that combines liquid crystal materials with silicon-based...
multimode laserA laser that produces emission in two or more transverse or longitudinal modes.
half-shade plateA semicircular, half-wave quartz plate between the polarizer and analyzer. It often is used in forming precision settings...
photomultiplier tubeA photomultiplier tube (PMT) is a highly sensitive vacuum tube that detects and amplifies low levels of light. It is widely...
anomalous photoconductivityA spectral phenomenon in which the degree of the photoresponse of an illuminated semiconductor is determined by the...
power efficiencyThe ratio of emitted power to input power.
lithographyLithography is a key process used in microfabrication and semiconductor manufacturing to create intricate patterns on the...
thin-film semiconductorA semiconductor formed by applying a particular single-crystal layer to the specific insulator.
emissivity correction matrixA computer-generated routine for achieving true-temperature readings in thermal infrared imaging systems.
gas laserOne of the first lasers to find practical application. Generally, the pumping mechanism is an electric discharge, although...
fluorescenceFluorescence is a type of luminescence, which is the emission of light by a substance that has absorbed light or other...
solid-state laserA solid-state laser is a type of laser that uses a solid gain medium (as opposed to a liquid or gas) to produce coherent...
absorbing wedgeA doped or absorbing transparent medium cut or molded into a wedge in order to measure the real and imaginary components of...
electron emissionThe freeing of electrons from an electrode into the surrounding space.
spectrochemical equipmentEquipment used for chemical analysis by investigation of the spectra formed and observed in chemical activity. Of particular...
neutral density wedgeA strip or annulus of glass coated with a semitransparent material such as inconel. The coating thickness, and as a result...
photodiode detectorA photodiode detector is a semiconductor device that converts light into an electrical current. It operates based on the...
photochromatic compoundA chemical compound that exhibits a reversible change in its absorption spectrum upon irradiation with given wavelengths of...
CCD image sensorA CCD image sensor, or charge-coupled device image sensor, is a type of electronic device used to convert optical images...
fluoroscopic image intensifierA form of image intensifier designed to amplify a weak fluoroscopic image. The image is received at an input phosphor...
bench photometerA device used to compare the luminous intensities of two sources by locating a point between the two light sources where the...
semilenticular screenA projection screen having vertical ribs or flutes set into a plastic surface.
swept-source laserA swept-source laser, also known as a wavelength-swept laser, is a type of laser that rapidly and continuously changes its...
coincidence circuitElectronic circuit capable of distinguishing the pulses emitted by separate counters in a given time phase and determining...
magnetic resonance spectroscopyA method of studying the chemical and physical properties of atoms and molecules (typically living tissue and chemical...
laser diode moduleA laser diode module is a compact device that incorporates a laser diode, optics, and often other components into a single...
single-photon-decay spectroscopyA technique for observing the decay of light emissions from sources following their pulsed excitations, based on recording...
split lensA close-up lens, semicircular in shape, that is mounted in front of a conventional lens focused at infinity. The result is...
GRIN lensA GRIN (gradient index) lens is a type of optical lens that utilizes a gradient in refractive index across its volume rather...
flame spectroscopyThe study of flames by means of a laser emitting blue light and a spectrometer to measure the green fluorescence created by...
laser rangefinderA laser rangefinder is a device that uses laser technology to measure the distance between the device and a target. It...
silicon photodiodeA silicon photodiode is a semiconductor device that converts light into an electrical current. It is a type of photodetector...
waferIn the context of electronics and semiconductor manufacturing, a wafer refers to a thin, flat disk or substrate made of a...
SPINAcronym for self-aligned polysilicon interconnect N-channel. A metal-gate process that uses aluminum for the metal-oxide...
dot matrix displayA display format consisting of small light-emitting elements arranged as a two-dimensional array. Various elements are...
label-freeLabel-free refers to a technique or method that does not require the use of additional labels, tags, or markers to detect or...
fluorophoreA fluorophore is a molecule or a portion of a molecule that has the ability to emit light upon excitation by an external...
radiant efficiencyThe ratio of the radiant flux emitted by a source to the power supplied.
P-type materialA semiconductor material in which the dopants create holes as the majority charge carrier. It is formed by doping with...
protective coatingA film applied to a coated or uncoated optical surface primarily for protecting this surface from mechanical abrasion, from...
indiumMetal used in components of the crystalline semiconductor alloys indium gallium arsenide (InGaAs), indium gallium arsenide...
atomic absorption spectroscopyThe analysis of the atomic structure of a sample by means of a source radiation that is absorbed and emitted by the sample...
unijunction transistorA three-terminal semiconductor having only one PN junction and a stable, open-circuit, negative-resistance property.
Rydberg atomThe term "Rydberg atom" refers to an atom in a highly excited state where one or more of its electrons are in a Rydberg...
spectrophotometerA spectrophotometer is a scientific instrument used to measure the intensity of light at various wavelengths in the...
diffuse reflectance spectroscopyDiffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) is a nondestructive analytical technique used to investigate the optical properties...
bipolarRefers to transistors in which the working current flows through two types of semiconductor material: N- and P-type. In...
laser-mediated gene transferLaser-mediated gene transfer refers to a technique in molecular biology and genetic engineering that utilizes lasers to...
gamma radiographyRadiography using the emission of gamma rays to form an image of the structure penetrated by the radiation.
infrared astronomyThe study and the interpretation of the infrared emittances of celestial bodies and phenomena.
dimmerAn electric or electronic device that regulates the voltage going to a light source as a means of varying the intensity of...
cadmium lampA mercury vapor discharge lamp that has cadmium added to emit radiation in the red region as a complement to the mercury...
phosphorescence spectroscopyThe spectroscopic study of the radiation emitted by the lifetime of phosphorescence.
integration timeIntegration time, in the context of optics, imaging systems, and sensor technology, refers to the duration over which a...
organometallic chemical vapor deposition
flow cytometryFlow cytometry is a powerful technique used in biology and medicine for the quantitative analysis of the physical and...
electrochemistryThe study of the reversible conversion of chemical energy into electrical energy. Electroplating is an electrochemical...
phase conjugationThe use of a reflective device, which can be fashioned from a variety of materials including gases, solids, dyes, aerosols,...
fiber optic preformA fiber optic preform is a cylindrical glass rod or tube used as the starting material for manufacturing optical fibers. It...
optoelectronic integrated circuitA monolithic device containing both photonic and electronic sources, detectors, modulators, etc., on a single semiconductor...
semitransparent and p-phase annular apertureAn aperture consisting of a semitransparent central region whose amplitude transmittance only is varied, and the relative...
hydrophilicHydrophilic is a term used to describe substances or materials that have an affinity for water. The word hydrophilic comes...
monitor currentIn a laser diode, the photocurrent produced by a photodiode that detects the emission from the rear facet of the...
resonance radiationThat radiation emitted by an atom or molecule that has the same frequency as that of an incident particle; e.g., a photon....
symmetry operationAny systemic process that ultimately reassembles all the system's components into their initial alignment, or an arrangement...
laser driftLaser drift typically refers to a phenomenon where the frequency or wavelength of a laser source gradually changes over...
monomerA molecule that has the ability to chemically combine with other molecules to form a polymer, hence being capable of being...
epifluorescence microscopyFluorescence imaging technique in which the excitation light from the objective is directed into the sample producing...
accelerometerAn accelerometer is a sensor or transducer that measures the rate of change of velocity of an object, or in simpler terms,...
phosphorA chemical substance that exhibits fluorescence when excited by ultraviolet radiation, x-rays or an electron beam. The...
heterojunctionA junction between semiconductors that differ in their doping level conductivities, and also in their atomic or alloy...
microdisplayA microdisplay is a miniature electronic display technology that is designed to project visual information onto a small...
line sourceIn the spectral sense, an optical source that emits one or more spectrally narrow lines as opposed to a continuous spectrum....
x-ray astronomyThe study of the celestial bodies, relative to x-ray emission. Satellites launched to study x-ray sources have revealed many...
quantum efficiencyQuantum efficiency (QE) is a measure of the effectiveness with which a device or system, typically in the context of...
scaling lawIn coherence theory, an optical law put forth by physicist Emil Wolf that explains the behavior of light as it travels away...
thermistorA solid-state semiconducting structure (basically one of the bolometers) that changes electrical resistance with...
luminous paintA mixture of phosphor with a trace of a radioactive element that emits faint light continually. It is used on watch dials...
xenon arcThe arc formed when the rare gas xenon is excited electrically and emits a brilliant white light. Xenon is used to fill...
emissometryThe use of a material's emissivity to measure absorption. It is useful as an absorption loss measurement technique, since at...
broadband dielectric mirrorsBroadband dielectric mirrors, also known as broadband mirrors, are optical coatings designed to efficiently reflect or...
scintillation detectorA scintillation detector is a radiation detection device that utilizes scintillation crystals to detect and measure ionizing...
zonal constantA factor that, when multiplied by the average candlepower emitted by a light source in a specified angular zone, reveals the...
carrier injectionCarrier injection refers to the process of introducing charge carriers (either electrons or holes) into a semiconductor...
ultraviolet lampA type of lamp that emits a high quantity of ultraviolet radiation. This may be an arc lamp encased in a bulb of a glass...
indium gallium arsenide cameraAn InGaAs (indium gallium arsenide) camera is a type of imaging device that utilizes InGaAs sensors to capture images in the...
photodischarge spectroscopyA spectroscopic process that detects and analyzes the discharge from an extrinsic surface with less than bandgap light. This...
actinochemistryThe study of chemical changes produced by radiation.
polarizationPolarization refers to the orientation of oscillations in a transverse wave, such as light waves, radio waves, or other...
cross-linked plasticPlastic in which the polymer chains become irreversibly joined during molding. The cross-linking can be achieved by heating,...
multilineDescribing a laser that emits simultaneously at more than one wavelength.
thermionic emissionThe emission of free electrons by a rise in temperature of the cathode alone.
grown-junction photocellA photodiode that has been designed so that the bar of semiconductor material has a PN junction perpendicular to its length...
photoelectric multiplierA phototube in which the primary photoemission current, before being extracted at the anode, is multiplied many times.
ion-beam sputteringIon-beam sputtering (IBS) is a physical vapor deposition (PVD) technique used for depositing thin films onto substrates. It...
lab-on-a-chipA lab-on-a-chip (LOC) is a miniaturized device that integrates various laboratory functions and capabilities onto a single,...
holmium laserHolmium lasers are a type of medical laser that utilizes holmium-doped crystals as the gain medium. The term holmium laser...
free-electron laserA free-electron laser (FEL) is a type of laser that generates coherent, high-intensity electromagnetic radiation by using a...
micro-opticsMicro-optics refers to the design, fabrication, and application of optical components and systems at a microscale level....
environmental parametersPotential hazards to a system's application and installation, including temperature variations, chemical reactivity,...
transitionThe process whereby a quantum mechanical system alters from one energy level to another. During this process, energy is...
cameraA light-tight box that receives light from an object or scene and focuses it to form an image on a light-sensitive material...
metamerismIn colorimetry, the phenomenon in which spectrally different radiations produce the same color sensation for a given...
astronomyThe scientific observation of celestial radiation that has reached the vicinity of Earth, and the interpretation of these...
interference spectrumThe spectrum produced by the interference of light provided that the source used to create the interference has a broad...
laser-induced cut and patchA process used in the design, repair and customization of integrated circuits. A low-power laser etches a silicon wafer...
photoelectromotive forceThe force that stimulates the emission of an electrical current when photovoltaic action creates a potential difference...
fluoroscopeAn instrument used to detect the fluorescence emitted by a source in comparison with a reference.
spectroradiometerA spectroradiometer is a device used to measure the intensity of light at different wavelengths across the electromagnetic...
laser diode arrayA group of single emitter laser diodes, usually arranged vertically or horizontally with respect to each other. The power...
radiationThe emission and/or propagation of energy through space or through a medium in the form of either waves or corpuscular...
Zener diodeA type of semiconductor diode used in voltage-limiting circuits; when voltage reaches a certain value, the device becomes a...
PP junctionA transition boundary between two regions having different properties in a P-type semiconducting material.
die bondingDie bonding is a critical process in semiconductor manufacturing and microelectronics assembly, where a semiconductor die or...
accessible emissionThe present radiation level within a laser or electromagnetic radiation operating area.
three-fiveReferring to compound semiconductor materials combining one element that has three valence electrons with one or more that...
chemiluminescenceA chemical reaction involving the production of light. The reaction of ethylene with ozone is chemiluminescent.
repetitively pulsed laserA pulsed laser that emits a recurring pulsed output. Frequency of the pulses emitted is known as pulsed recurrence frequency...
Mach-Zehnder interferometerA Mach-Zehnder interferometer is an optical device used to measure the phase difference between two collimated beams of...
photonic crystal surface-emitting laserA photonic crystal surface-emitting laser (PCSEL) refers to a type of laser diode that emits light from its surface rather...
photocathode luminous sensitivityThe responsivity of a photocathode to luminous energy equal to the ratio of the photoelectric emission to the incident...
metrologyMetrology is the science and practice of measurement. It encompasses the theoretical and practical aspects of measurement,...
radioactivity detectorAn instrument used to detect radioactive materials: alpha particles or helium nuclei; beta particles or free electrons; and...
multispectral scannerAn instrument used to record the emittance or reflectance of an object by scanning with discrete spectral resolution over a...
crystalline lensThe internal lens of the eye. It is semielastic to permit changes in its power when focusing on objects at near distances.
luminescenceLuminescence is the emission of light that occurs without the involved substance undergoing a significant increase in...
beaconA device, either visual or electronic, that emits signals to identify set positions for use in the navigation of aircraft...
radiographic amplifier screenA solid-state panel of the photoconductor-electroluminescent type. The photoconductive layer, sensitive to x-rays, is coated...
excimer laserAn excimer laser is a type of ultraviolet laser that emits short pulses of light in the ultraviolet spectrum. The term...
active transportThe transport of molecules in a cell which requires the use of a cell's internal energy. The energy used in the cell may be...
reagentA reagent is a substance or compound that is used in a chemical reaction to bring about a specific transformation or to...
atomic emission spectrometrySpectrometric analysis of the distinct and characteristic spectra of atoms of elements. The atoms are energized to emit...
photonicsThe technology of generating and harnessing light and other forms of radiant energy whose quantum unit is the photon. The...
laser annealingLaser annealing is a process that involves using a laser beam to heat and modify the microstructure of a material, typically...
cold cathodeA cathode that emits electrons, not with the influence of heat radiation, but by means of a high-voltage gradient at its...
alpha particleA positively charged particle emitted from the nucleus of an unstable isotope, characterized by two protons and two...
STED microscopySTED microscopy, or stimulated emission depletion microscopy, is a superresolution imaging technique in fluorescence...
overcoatA layer of material applied to a coated surface to protect it from physical or chemical action.
laser cavityA laser cavity, also known as an optical cavity or resonator, is a fundamental component of a laser system. It is a confined...
latticeIn photonics, a lattice refers to a periodic arrangement of optical elements or structures, often on a microscopic or...
phototherapyPhototherapy is a medical treatment that involves the use of light to treat various conditions, particularly those related...
well plateA well plate, also known as a microplate or microtiter plate, is a flat plate with multiple small wells or depressions...
actinismThe creation of a chemical reaction in a substance when radiation is directed to it.
lambertian emitterAn optical source that has a luminous distribution that is uniform for all directions.
cesium vapor lampA lamp that emits light as the result of the passage of an electrical current through ionized cesium vapor.
APD detectorAn APD detector, or avalanche photodiode detector, is a type of photodetector used to detect light or optical signals by...
plasmon ion-assisted depositionPlasmon ion-assisted deposition (PIAD) is a technique used in thin-film deposition processes, particularly in the production...
transistorAn electronic device consisting of a semiconductor material, generally germanium or silicon, and used for rectification,...
chelate laserA laser having a rare-earth chelate within a plastic host as the lasing material. The chelate laser is easily pumped and has...
x-ray sourceA material or system that emits x-rays.
surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopySurface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) is an analytical technique that combines the principles of Raman spectroscopy...
immunohistochemistryImmunohistochemistry (IHC) is a method for detecting antigens or haptens in cells of a tissue section by using labeled...
Franz-Keldysh effectObserved lengthening in wavelengths of the optical absorption edge of a semiconductor with the application of an electric...
spectral repeatabilitySpectral repeatability refers to the consistency and reproducibility of spectral measurements across multiple trials or...
digital holographic microscopyDigital holographic microscopy (DHM) is an advanced imaging technique that combines holography and digital image processing...
radiant intensityThe radiant energy emitted within a time period per unit solid angle, usually measured in watts per steradian.
GaN distributed feedback lasersGaN (gallium nitride) distributed feedback (DFB) lasers refer to a specific type of semiconductor laser based on Gallium...
latent imageThe pattern of physical or chemical changes that has taken place in a photographic emulsion, by its exposure to light, that...
dBmDecibels referenced to one milliwatt; often used to specify power ratings for semiconductor diode lasers.
deformable mirror deviceA spatial light modulator consisting of a metallized polymer film stretched over an array of metal-oxide semiconductor...
automated optical inspectionAutomated optical inspection (AOI) is a technology used in manufacturing processes, particularly in electronics, to...
flame photometryA part of the spectrochemical analysis of a sample that deals with the excitation of that sample by flame analysis.
dopingIn the context of materials science and semiconductor physics, doping refers to the intentional introduction of impurities...
zirconium arcA small bulb containing a conducting gas, an arc being formed between a metal ring and a tiny zirconium electrode near the...
full width half maximumFull width half maximum (FWHM) is a measure of the extent of a function. Given by the difference between the two extreme...
incomplete radiatorA thermal source that emits less radiation than a blackbody under identical temperature conditions.
photolysisThe photochemical reaction of light present in the decomposition of a substance.
photographic photometryA form of photometric measurement, often used with light sources that are transparent or fluctuating, in which a...
field patternIntensity of emission as a function of direction in a given plane.
Ultraviolet-CUltraviolet-C (UV-C) refers to a specific range of ultraviolet radiation with shorter wavelengths than those of visible...
junction diodeA semiconductor device with the property of conducting current more easily in one direction than the other. It has two...
electromagnetic radiationRadiation emitted from vibrating charged particles. A combination of oscillating electrical and magnetic fields that...
terahertz spectrometerA terahertz spectrometer is a scientific instrument used to measure and analyze the properties of materials in the terahertz...
diffuse sensing modeUse of a photoelectric receiver to sense an object's presence by detecting a small amount of the emitter's light that is...
excitonAn exciton is a quasiparticle that represents the bound state of an electron and a hole in a solid-state material, typically...
photon drag effectThe induction of an electric field in a semiconductor by an incident laser beam. The technique has rapid response time at...
white-light continuumAn extremely wide emission spectrum generated by the nonlinear effects created when a high peak power from a short-pulse...
laser ablationLaser ablation is a process that involves the removal or erosion of material from a target surface using laser energy. This...
ultraviolet microscopyThe study and photographing of microscope specimens in ultraviolet light; using an optical microscope containing fluorite...
resonance spectrumThe fluorescent emission spectrum emitted by certain substances following the irradiation of one of these substances with...
gallium antimonideA binary semiconductor compound used as a substrate or active layer for diode lasers.
gallium aluminum arsenideA crystalline semiconductor alloy used as the light confinement layer in both single- and double-heterostructure diode...
iodine cycleA development aimed at extending the life of a tungsten filament. The iodine vapor in the lamp envelope combines with the...
intrinsic photoconductivityThe absorption of a photon raising an electron across the forbidden gap from valence to conduction band of the semiconductor...
threshold voltage1. Voltage at which a PN junction begins to pass a current. 2. In a solid-state lamp, the voltage at which light is first...
physisorptionA type of adsorption in which the adsorbed layer is attached to the adsorbent surface by an attractive force between the...
YAG crystalA YAG crystal refers to a solid-state crystal made of yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG), which is a synthetic crystalline...
high harmonic generationHigh harmonic generation (HHG) refers to a nonlinear optical process in which intense laser light interacts with a gaseous...
emission lineThe line or lines emitted by an element when its radiation particles travel from one energy level to another.
superfluorescenceThe process in which the normal rate of fluorescent emission from a substance is enhanced by virtue of the optical gain of...
near-infrared cameraA near-infrared (NIR) camera is an imaging device designed to capture images in the near-infrared region of the...
photochromicPhotochromic refers to a property exhibited by certain materials, typically organic compounds or dyes, which undergo...
coupler1. In color development, the chemical that combines with certain by-products of the development procedure to form a dye. 2....
lasing mediumThe material that produces stimulated emission from within a laser oscillator. Laser gain media may vary from...
anisophotic sourceA light source that emits an uneven distribution of radiant energy through the visible range.
micro-LEDMicro-LED (micro-light-emitting diode) refers to a technology that involves the use of very small light-emitting diodes to...
fluoro-immunosensorA fiber optic device that uses a HeNe laser, beamsplitter, monochromator and photomultiplier to detect trace levels of...
scientific CMOS cameraA scientific CMOS (complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor) camera is a type of digital camera specifically designed for...
Bunsen-Roscoe lawThe law stating that the amount of chemical change produced is proportional to the amount of light absorbed. Actually, the...
edge-emitting LEDAn edge-emitting light-emitting diode is a type of LED structure where light emission occurs primarily along the edge of the...
nonradiative transitionA nonradiative transition refers to a process in which an electron or an atom undergoes a change in its energy state without...
Lippich prismA small half-shade analyzer placed in the eyepiece of a polarimeter to determine the character of the polarized light...
emission of skyThermal emission caused by the unity in absorption bands that must be discriminated when calculating radiation intensity of...
noise equivalent irradianceThe amount of spatial noise detected equivalent to the output emission location of the giving source.
mass spectrometryAn instrumental technique that utilizes the mass-to-charge ratio of charged particles as recorded from a mass spectrometer...
biophotonicsThe technology that deals with the interaction of organic materials with light and other forms of radiant energy whose...
epitaxyA well controlled thin films technique for growing films with good crystal structure in ultra high vacuum environments at...
homojunctionA junction between semiconductors that differ in their doping level conductivities but not in their atomic or alloy...
single-molecule FRETSingle-molecule Förster resonance energy transfer (smFRET) is a specialized technique in biophysics and molecular...
active layerThat layer in a semiconductor injection laser or light-emitting diode that provides optical gain.
medical lasersMedical lasers are devices that produce intense beams of light with specific characteristics and properties, which are used...
luminous exitanceThe total luminous flux given out per unit area; i.e., the sum of the luminous emittance and any radiation that is reflected...
FTIR spectrometerFTIR (Fourier transform infrared) spectrometer is a powerful analytical instrument used to obtain an infrared spectrum of...
long-pass filterA long-pass filter is an optical filter that allows longer wavelengths of light to pass through while blocking or...
optoelectronicPertaining to a device that responds to optical power, emits or modifies optical radiation, or utilizes optical radiation...
sputtering equipmentSputtering equipment is machinery used in the process of physical vapor deposition (PVD), specifically sputtering....
cosine emission law
blue diode laserA blue diode laser is a type of semiconductor laser that emits light in the blue wavelength range of the electromagnetic...
metaboliteA metabolite is any small molecule that is a product of metabolism, the chemical processes that occur within living...
resonance absorption (light)The re-emission of absorbed energy, having the same wavelength as the incident energy, in an arbitrary direction from a...
Forbush decreaseDecrease in cosmic ray activity that is observed approximately 24 hours after a solar flare, attributed to a shielding...
photovoltaic cellA photovoltaic cell, commonly known as a solar cell, is a semiconductor device that directly converts light energy into...
phototubeAn electron tube having a photocathode for the emission of a photoelectric current.
quencher moleculeIn the dye laser, the molecule that takes out energy from the triplet state during collisions between the dye and quencher...
polyethyleneA material used to jacket fiber optic cables. It is chemical- and moisture-resistant, but not fire-resistant.
microfluidicsMicrofluidics is a multidisciplinary field that involves the manipulation and control of very small fluid volumes, typically...
chalcogenideChalcogenide refers to a class of compounds containing elements from group 16 of the periodic table, which includes sulfur...
infrared photographyThe photographic recording of images on a medium sensitive to infrared radiation, using a source capable of emitting in the...
infrared cameraAn infrared camera, also known as a thermal imaging camera or IR camera, is a device that captures and visualizes the...
photodiffusion effectThe potential difference between two areas of a semiconductor when one is exposed to light.
radiation trappingThat process by which radiation spontaneously emitted by a volume of optical materials is resonantly reabsorbed within the...
enclosed arc lampAn arc lamp whose carbon electrodes are enclosed in a transparent chamber, resulting in an arc that is steadier, lasts...
FMCW lidarFMCW lidar stands for frequency-modulated continuous wave lidar. It is a type of lidar (light detection and ranging)...
blackbodyAn ideal body that completely absorbs all radiant energy striking it and, therefore, appears perfectly black at all...
fiber optic transceiverA fiber optic transceiver, often simply referred to as an "optical transceiver," is a device used in fiber optic...
image dissector tubeAn electron tube that is used as a camera tube for a television system. When the picture to be transmitted is focused on a...
recombination radiationThe radiation emitted in semiconductors when electrons in the conduction band recombine with holes in the valence band. If...
thyristorA family of semiconductor switching devices of which the silicon-controlled rectifier and the triac are most commonly used....
GaN-based LEDsGallium nitride-based light-emitting diodes (GaN-based LEDs) are semiconductor devices that emit light when an electric...
carbonizationCarbonization is a process in which organic materials are heated in the absence of air, leading to the decomposition of the...
nanoLEDAn LED (light-emitting diode) is a semiconductor device that emits light when an electric current passes through it. LEDs...
multispectral imagingMultispectral imaging is a technique that involves capturing and analyzing images at multiple discrete spectral bands within...
microchannel plateA microchannel plate (MCP) is a specialized electron multiplier device used in various applications such as particle...
fluorescent proteinFluorescent proteins are proteins that exhibit the property of fluorescence, which is the ability to absorb light at a...
double-beam spectrophotometerA spectrophotometer in which the beam emitted by the radiation source is split into beams that travel through the sample and...
cyanometerAn instrument designed to measure the proportion of light emitted by a source in the blue region of the spectrum.
outgassingThe emission of gas or de-aeration due to thermal variations and often occurring in a vacuum. In a cleanroom, contamination...
conduction bandA partially filled or empty energy band through which electrons can move easily. The material can therefore carry an...
cell1. A single unit in a device for changing radiant energy to electrical energy or for controlling current flow in a circuit....
phosphorographyA process used in pyrometry and photothermometry to create a photographic record of a surface's temperature gradients....
photographic thermometryThe photographic recording of the heat radiation emitted from various points on the object as corresponding density...
photopolymerA polymer produced as a result of photochemical processes.
color center laserCertain color centers in the alkali halides have been optically pumped to produce efficient tunable pulsed and...
holographic microscopyThe holographic recording of a microscopic specimen whereby magnification is achieved by alteration in a wavelength or...
side-lit cableA type of fiber optic cable that emits light from its sides along its length.
flame photometerAny of a number of instruments that uses a flame to vaporize a solution of the chemical being analyzed so that light may be...
blackbody sourceA blackbody source, often simply referred to as a blackbody, is a theoretical or practical physical object that absorbs all...
x-ray image intensifierAn image intensifier that consists of an evacuated tube with a large input phosphor screen at one end. The phosphor screen...
actinic radiationElectromagnetic energy that is capable of producing photochemical activity.
chemical actinometerA light-sensitive detector having a chemical compound that reacts when exposed to light. It is used in photochemistry and...
thin-film coatingThin-film coatings are layers of material applied to the surface of an object or substrate, typically to modify its optical,...
continuous spectrumThe radiation spectrum of matter found in condensed states, liquid or solid, that is continuous and not a line spectrum. The...
crystalA solid with a structure that exhibits a basically symmetrical and geometrical arrangement. A crystal may already possess...
semifinishedA term used to describe a spectacle lens or blank with one surface totally finished.
fiber-coupled LEDA fiber-coupled LED (light-emitting diode) refers to an LED device that is optically coupled to an optical fiber for the...
high-speed motion cameraA high-speed motion camera, also known as a high-speed camera or slow-motion camera, is a specialized imaging device...
MSM photodiodeA metal-semiconductor-metal (MSM) photodiode is a type of photodetector that consists of metal electrodes on a semiconductor...
photoelectron microscopySurface analysis by means of photon induced electron emission. PEM methods provide high lateral resolution of the observed...
electron spectroscopyThe theory and interpretation of spectra produced by the electron emissions of substances after their irradiation by x-rays.
spontaneous emissionRadiation emitted when a quantum mechanical system drops spontaneously from an excited level to a lower level. This...
photoconductive antennaPhotoconductive antenna (PCA) is a semiconductor element that generates or detects high-frequency electromagnetic signals....
x-ray tube targetAlso known as an anticathode. An electrode or electrode section that is focused upon by an electron beam and that emits...
photoacoustic spectroscopyA method for obtaining the optical absorption spectra of solids, semisolids, liquids and gases. PAS is inherently...
TO packageHousing that resembles a small metal can for a semiconductor component, photodetector or similar device.
galvanoluminescenceThe emission of radiant energy produced by the passage of an electrical current through an appropriate electrolyte in which...
electron-beam gun1. A device generally used in a cathode-ray or camera tube to emit a stream of electrons moving at uniform velocity in a...
phosphor persistenceThe property of a phosphor that determines its ability to emit light for a time after the stimulus has been extinguished....
photochemistryThe study of chemical reactions stimulated by the properties of light.
luminescent fiberFiber that emits luminescent radiation excited by ultraviolet, x-ray or high-energy particles.
image iconoscopeA camera tube similar in design to the iconoscope. However, the image formed in the image iconoscope is projected on a...
radiacAn acronym for radioactive detection, identification and computation. The term refers to the detection and measurement of...
infrared radiation sourceAny object that emits radiation of a wavelength lying between about 0.75 to 1000 µm. A calibrated secondary source...
resonatorA resonator is a device or system that exhibits resonance, which is a phenomenon that occurs when an external force or...
hyperspectral imagingHyperspectral imaging is an advanced imaging technique that captures and processes information from across the...
electron storage ringAn advanced magnetic device used in x-ray lithography to beam x-rays onto the surface of silicon wafers used for...
target1. The anode or anticathode of an x-ray tube that emits x-rays when bombarded by electrons. 2. The screen in a television...
linewidth1. The range of frequencies or wavelengths over which radiations are absorbed or emitted in a transition between a specific...
spectrum light sourceA lamp that yields a nonluminous flame; used in the spectroscopic analysis of radiation emitted by a substance placed in the...
Er:YAG laserAn Er:YAG laser is a type of solid-state laser that uses a crystal made of erbium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet...
color comparator1. A device used in chemistry to compare the colors of solutions held in flat-bottomed tubes and viewed along the length of...
metal arcThe electrical arc formed between metal rods that emits the spectrum of the metal itself. Commonly used in the chemical...
solid-state imaging systemAn imaging system that uses a mosaic of tiny light-sensitive semiconductors (phototransistors) to produce individual outputs...
spectrophotometric analysisThe detection and measurement of spectral reflectance, spectral transmittance or relative spectral emittance, relative to...
secondary emission photocell
telluriumThe material favored for study of interaction of high-acoustic intensities with free carriers. Tellurium is the...
gas photocellA photoemissive cell having an inert gas added to its envelope. Subsequent ionization of the gas increases the responsivity...
gain-switchingGain-switching is a technique used in lasers to generate short pulses of light by modulating the gain of the laser medium....
superior mirageAn image of an object that appears above the object's true position as the result of abnormal refraction of the image rays...
Fermi-Dirac functionThe mathematical expression of the probability of any given state of energy being occupied when a semiconductor is in...
remote sensingRemote sensing is a method of data collection and observation where information about objects, areas, or phenomena on...
conjugate pointsThe two points on the principal axis of a mirror or lens so positioned that light emitted from either point will be focused...
cold atomCold atoms refer to atoms that have been cooled to extremely low temperatures, typically in the microkelvin (µK) to...
shot noiseNoise generated by the random variations in the number and velocity of the electrons from an emitter.
luminous emittanceLuminous flux emitted per unit area of a source, expressed as lumens per area.
optical transitionThe process by which an atomic system changes from one energy level to another by either the emission or absorption of...
chemosphereAlso known as mesosphere. A level of the atmosphere, extending from the stratosphere to the ionosphere, that is noted for...
spectral power distributionThe relative power emitted by a source as a function of wavelength. It determines the color-rendering properties of the...
heat waveIn reference to infrared, emissions that are like radio waves but that have a higher frequency.
photoelectric constantThe constant that, multiplied by the frequency of the radiation-producing emission of photoelectrons, determines the amount...
photochemical hole burningA method of producing disks for erasable optical data storage. Information is recorded by a laser beam that generates pits...
horizon detectorAn infrared device used in satellites and rockets to determine a heat horizon for the Earth at altitudes (above 200 miles)...
developerA chemical solution that changes the silver salts (latent image) of exposed photographic film into black metallic silver...
hyperspectral resolutionHyperspectral resolution refers to the level of detail or granularity in the spectral information captured by a...
InGaAs photodiodeAn InGaAs photodiode refers to a photodetector device that is constructed using a semiconductor material composed of a...
epitaxial depositionEpitaxial deposition is a process used in semiconductor manufacturing and materials science to grow a thin crystalline...
diffuse illuminationLight emitted by one or more sources and characterized by a high degree of scatter.
excitation1. The process by which an atom acquires energy sufficient to raise it to a quantum state higher than its ground state. 2....
back-wall photovoltaic cellA photovoltaic cell designed so that light travels through the front electrode and a semiconductor before it comes to the...
Raman spectroscopyRaman spectroscopy is a technique used in analytical chemistry and physics to study vibrational, rotational, and other...
nuclear quadrupole resonance spectroscopyA chemical detection technique used to measure molecules that have a magnetic dipole moment. The analysis is directed to...
excess noise factorA factor, F, indicating the increase in shot noise in an avalanche photodiode as compared with the ideal multiplier, which...
spectroscopySpectroscopy is a technique used in the study of interactions between matter and electromagnetic radiation. It involves...
emittanceSee emissivity; exitance.
metabolic imagingMetabolic imaging refers to the visualization and quantification of metabolic processes within living organisms, tissues, or...
gamma rayThe spontaneous emittance of electromagnetic radiation by the nucleus of certain radioactive elements during their quantum...
ruby laserThe optically pumped, solid-state laser that uses sapphire as the host lattice and chromium as the active ion. The emission...
bioluminescenceHeatless light emissions from living organisms caused by the combination of oxygen and pigments such as luciferin.
flash spectroscopyThe study and interpretation of the spectra of substances after they have absorbed the radiant energy emitted by a brief,...
radiation temperatureThe temperature of a complete radiator that has a total radiant emittance identical to that of an unknown resource.
dynodeThe auxiliary electrode in a photomultiplier that gives rise to secondary emission and amplification when bombarded by...
machine vision systemA machine vision system is an integrated combination of hardware and software components designed to capture, process, and...
monoergicPertaining to radiation or particle emission, whereby the emission is produced with minimal energy spread.
optical materialsOptical materials refer to substances or compounds specifically chosen for their optical properties and used in the...
ultraviolet photoemission spectroscopyA technique for measuring the energy spectrum of electrons emitted during the absorption of ultraviolet radiation. This...
nonlinear optical materialsNonlinear optical materials are substances that exhibit optical properties that are not linearly proportional to the...
photomaskA photomask, also known simply as a mask or reticle, is a key component in the photolithography process used in...
delay timeThe interval between direction of signal to a light-emitting diode and attainment of 10 percent output current in the...
image intensifierAn image intensifier, also known as an image intensification tube or image intensification device, is a specialized...
bacteriorhodopsinA light-harvesting protein found in the purple membrane of a micro-organism called Halobacterium halobium. The protein...
line-scan cameraA line-scan camera, also known as a line-scan image sensor or linear array camera, is a type of digital camera designed to...
flow chemistryFlow chemistry, also known as continuous-flow chemistry, is a chemical manufacturing process where reactions take place in a...
emission spectroscopyA study of the energies and wavelengths of radiation emitted by atoms and molecules when particular physical conditions are...
combinerA semitransparent mirror in an optical system that combines two or more output beams into a single coaxial beam.
computer-generated hologramA computer-generated hologram (CGH) is a holographic image produced using computational methods and algorithms, rather than...
chemical laserA laser that relies on chemical activity instead of electrical energy to produce the pumping action necessary to form pulses...
image amplifierAn electro-optic system using, in general form, an evacuated glass envelope with a semitransparent photocathode at one end...
extraterrestrial radiationRadiation that is emitted by a source outside the Earth and its atmosphere.
image enhancement laserA semiconductor platelet laser that emits a coherent image by means of plane optical pumping over the platelet surface, and...
intensified charge-coupled device cameraAn intensified charge-coupled device (ICCD) camera is an advanced imaging device that combines the capabilities of both an...
tip-enhanced Raman scatteringTip-enhanced Raman scattering (TERS) is a powerful technique that combines Raman spectroscopy with the enhanced spatial...
transient calorimetric techniqueA method of measuring total hemispherical emissivity of the plane surface of a solid that consists of thermally isolating a...
quantum dot light-emitting diodeQuantum dot light-emitting diode (QLED) is a display technology that utilizes quantum dots, which are semiconductor...
superluminescent light-emitting diodeAn emitter based on stimulated emission with amplification but insufficient feedback for oscillation to build up.
leading edge spikeIn a sequence of laser pulse emissions, the intitial pulse that often helps initiate a reaction at the target surface,...
atomic fluorescence spectroscopyThe analysis of fluorescence emitted by discrete atoms, in flames, that have absorbed radiation from an external source. It...
diffraction gratingA diffraction grating is an optical component consisting of a surface with a periodic structure of equally spaced, parallel...
wide-field fluorescence microscopyWide-field fluorescence microscopy uses either naturally occurring structures or staining with fluorescent tags that are...
3D laser line profile sensorA 3D profile sensor, also known as a 3D profiling sensor or 3D depth sensor, is a technology that is used to capture and...
emissivityThe ratio of an object's radiance to that emitted by a blackbody radiator at the same temperature and at the same wavelength.
light fidelityLiFi, short for light fidelity, is a wireless communication technology that utilizes visible light or infrared light to...
fluorescent screenA fluorescent screen refers to a phosphorescent or fluorescent-coated surface that emits visible light when exposed to other...
band-to-band photoluminescenceThe emission of a photon by the return of an excited carrier from the conduction band to the valence band of a semiconductor...
diode-pumped solid-state laserA diode-pumped solid-state laser (DPSSL) is a type of laser system that uses semiconductor diode lasers to pump energy into...
chromatographyThe chemical method of separating compounds dissolved in one phase (usually mobile) through its equilibration with a second...
spectrographic electrodeThe hollow electrode used in emission spectroscopy to hold the material to be examined and, using an arc or spark source, to...
chemical vapor deposition equipmentChemical vapor deposition (CVD) equipment refers to a class of specialized apparatus used in the process of chemical vapor...
germaniumA crystalline semiconductor material that transmits in the infrared.
photon counterA device used to evaluate the luminance of a surface by determining the number of photons emitted from a sample surface area.
complementary metal-oxide semiconductorComplementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) refers to a technology used in the fabrication of integrated circuits,...
N-type conductivityIn a semiconductor, the state created by the addition of a dopant that provides excess electrons.
ablative photodecompositionAblation applied to polymers and chemical solids. Process of material removal that minimizes edge damage but will not heat...
chemical vapor depositionChemical vapor deposition is a process of applying dopants to a glass bait by flame reactions of gaseous compounds. See also...
ultraviolet fiber opticsUltraviolet (UV) fiber optics refers to optical fibers that are designed and optimized for the transmission of ultraviolet...
diode laserA diode laser is a type of laser that uses a semiconductor diode as the active medium to generate coherent light....
trapped plasma avalanche-triggered transitOscillator device composed of a semiconducting diode in a coaxial resonating cavity. When the biasing current is applied to...
fiber laserA fiber laser is a type of laser in which the active gain medium is an optical fiber doped with rare-earth ions such as...
reflection x-ray microscopyA means of high resolution study through the application of soft and hard x-rays onto a sample surface in order to obtain...
functional near-infrared spectroscopyFunctional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) is a non-invasive neuroimaging technique that measures changes in hemoglobin...
time-correlated single photon countingTime-correlated single photon counting (TCSPC) is a technique used in photon counting applications, particularly in the...
rare-earth elementsRare-earth elements (REEs) are a group of seventeen chemical elements found in the Earth's crust, characterized by their...
aptamerAn aptamer is a short, single-stranded DNA or RNA molecule that can bind to a specific target molecule with high affinity...
resonance fluorescenceIn atomic fluorescence spectroscopy, fluorescence emitted by an atom at a spectral line of a wavelength identical to that of...
frequency combA frequency comb is a precise and regular series of equally spaced spectral lines, or frequencies, that are generated with...
responsive quantum efficiencyThe number of electrons emitted per photon incident upon a photodetector.
line-narrowed laserA semiconductor laser in which the naturally occurring broad linewidth has been narrowed by incorporating the laser diode...
holographyHolography is a technique used to capture and reconstruct three-dimensional images using the principles of interference and...
modified chemical vapor depositionModified chemical vapor deposition (MCVD) is a technique used in the fabrication of optical fibers. It is a specialized form...
color conversion filterA filter that serves to alter the color temperature and the mired value of the radiation emitted by a source.
luminanceLuminous flux emitted from a surface per unit solid angle per unit of area, projected onto a plane normal to the direction...
hydrophobicHydrophobic is a term used to describe substances or materials that repel or do not readily interact with water. The word...
optical coherence tomography imaging systemOptical coherence tomography (OCT) is an imaging technique used in medical diagnostics and biomedical research to obtain...
lensless microscopyLensless microscopy, also known as computational or holographic microscopy, is an imaging technique that captures and...
beta radiationThe high-speed electrons and positrons emitted by radioactive materials.
field emission displayAn X-Y electrically addressable series of arrays with individual electron emitters bombarding a phosphor-coated transparent...
Paschen seriesAn array of lines in the infrared region of the emission spectrum of atomic hydrogen. Their wave numbers are expressed by...
lens testing equipmentLens testing equipment refers to a range of specialized tools and instruments used to evaluate the optical performance,...
photolithographyPhotolithography is a key process in the manufacturing of semiconductor devices, integrated circuits, and...
P-type conductivityIn a semiconductor, the state created by the addition of a dopant that creates excess holes.
racemicInactive optically, but having the capacity for resolution into forms of opposed optical activity. The term is derived from...
single-walled carbon nanotubesReferred to as SWCNTs, these cylindrical nanostructures composed of a folded sheet of graphene can be used as near-infrared...
paraboloidal mirrorA concave mirror that has the form of a paraboloid of revolution. The paraboloidal mirror may have only a portion of a...
opticsOptics is the branch of physics that studies the behavior and properties of light, including its interactions with matter...
single-molecule spectroscopyAn advanced technique that allows the detection of one molecule within a crystal or a cell through optical excitation....
rare earth dopantsRare earth dopants refer to elements from the lanthanide series, also known as rare earth elements, that are intentionally...
laser ceilometerA device used for measuring the height of clouds from a position on the ground. Measurement technique uses a vertically...
plasmonicsPlasmonics is a field of science and technology that focuses on the interaction between electromagnetic radiation and free...
near-infrared spectroscopyNear-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) is a non-invasive analytical technique that uses the near-infrared region of the...
London equationsThe partial differential equations for the spatial and time dependence of electric and magnetic fields inside a...
arc flashAn arc flash is a sudden release of electrical energy due to an electric arc — a continuous, high-current discharge of...
confocal resonatorA confocal resonator, also known as a confocal cavity or confocal laser resonator, is a type of optical resonator...
photoelectric absorptionThe transformation of incident radiant energy into a photoelectric emission current.
fiber optic sensorA fiber optic sensor is a device that uses optical fibers to detect and measure physical, chemical, biological, or...
infrared jammingA countermeasure used against heat seeking missiles to reduce their effectiveness. Normally it involves the emittance of...
thin filmA thin layer of a substance deposited on an insulating base in a vacuum by a microelectronic process. Thin films are most...
photoresistPhotoresist is a light-sensitive material used in photolithography processes, particularly in the fabrication of...
cesium oxide cellA photoemissive detector sensitive to wavelengths up to 1 µm. It has one sharp maximum of sensitivity at 350 nm and a...
time-to-amplitude converterA time-to-amplitude converter (TAC) is an electronic circuit that converts a time interval between two events into an...
ion laserA laser in which the transition involved in stimulated emission of radiation takes place between two levels of an ionized...
monochromatic filterA filter that transmits a single spectral line emitted by a line source.
threshold wavelengthThe greatest wavelength of radiation for a specified surface for the emission of electrons.
electroless platingThe deposition of a metallic coating, usually nickel, on a component by chemical means rather than by electroplating; the...
autopositiveAny photographic medium that, when chemically developed, produces an exact photographic reproduction of the original.
perovskiteThe term perovskite refers to a specific crystal structure commonly found in various materials. Perovskite structures have a...
electron image tubeA cathode-ray tube that increases the brightness or size of an image or forms a visible image from invisible radiation. The...
x-ray streak cameraA diagnostic instrument that uses a photocathode design to see a broad range of x-ray radiation by streaking the...
dilutionIn chemistry, the addition of an inert substance to reduce the concentration of a species. In colorimetry, addition of white...
optical emission spectroscopyIn dry etching, a method of characterizing the composition of solid materials such as metal. Atoms in the OES technique are...
alexandrite lasersAn alexandrite laser is a solid-state laser that utilizes a synthetic crystal made from the rare earth element alexandrite...
chemical microscopyThe field of microscopy as applied to chemical problems and analysis.
indium antimonideA semiconductor material that is used as an infrared detector for light up to 5 µm in wavelength.
einsteinA unit of energy equal to the amount of energy absorbed by one molecule of material undergoing a photochemical reaction, as...
free radicalsShort-lived molecular or atomic particles, with an unpaired electron, that play an important part in many photochemical...
Laurent polarimeterA Laurent polarimeter is an instrument used in optics for measuring the rotation of plane-polarized light caused by...
cosine collectorTranslucent collector developed to compensate for the partial blocking of a flat surface's collection angle that normally...
fluorescence lifetime imagingFluorescence lifetime imaging (FLIM) is an advanced imaging technique that provides information about the lifetime of...
custom lapping and polishing servicesCustom lapping and polishing services involve specialized processes used to improve the surface finish and dimensional...
cathode radiant sensitivityCathode radiant sensitivity refers to the ability of a photocathode to convert incident radiant energy, typically in the...
photochemicalThe term photochemical pertains to chemical processes or reactions that are initiated or influenced by the absorption of...
functional materialFunctional materials refer to materials that possess specific properties or functionalities that make them suitable for...
optical cements and adhesiveOptical cements and adhesives are specialized materials used in the assembly and bonding of optical components in optical...
phosphorescenceLuminescence is the emission of light from a source that is delayed by more than 10-8 s following excitation.
infrared thermistorA thermistor that uses a semiconductor that is sensitive to infrared radiation to measure the radiation's intensity.
curingThe use of chemicals or radiation to induce a desired change in a substance; e.g., some optical adhesives are set by...
photoluminescence mappingA technique used for noncontact inspection of semiconductor wafers. The material is illuminated by an excitation source that...
electron emitterIn a cathode tube, the electrode that serves as a source for electrons.
covalent crystalA crystal formed by covalent bonds that are generally highly directional by nature. The electric characteristics of these...
allochromyAny fluorescence in which the wavelength of the emitted light differs from that of the absorbed light.
electronicsThat branch of science involved in the study and utilization of the motion, emissions and behaviors of currents of...
radiant emittanceRadiant power emitted into a full sphere (4p steradians) by a unit area of a source; expressed in watts per square meter.
stoichiometryThe determination of what, how much and in what proportions chemicals must be combined to produce the desired reactions and...
laser spectroscopyThat part of the science involved in the study of the theory and interpretation of spectra that uses the unique...
multistripe arrayA monolithic laser diode incorporating multiple coupled emitters.
sodium light sourceAn electric discharge lamp in which the conducting vapor is that of metallic sodium instead of the usual mercury. It emits a...
source correlationThe relationship between different wavelengths of light generated by a source, which may affect the spectral distribution of...
chirpingA rapid change, as opposed to a long-term drift, of the emission wavelength of an optical source. Chirping is most often...
optics of materialThe area of optics that deals with the interaction of light with a given material. The optical properties of material are...
thermal radiatorA source that emits radiant energy when its molecules or atoms are thermally excited.
photoconductorA light-sensitive resistor in which resistance decreases with increase in light intensity when illuminated. The device...
chip-on-board lightsChip-on-board (COB) lights refer to a type of LED lighting technology where multiple LED chips are directly mounted onto a...
infrared light-emitting diodeAn infrared light-emitting diode (IR LED) is a semiconductor device that emits infrared light when an electric current...
scanning electron microscopeA scanning electron microscope (SEM) is a powerful imaging instrument used in scientific research, materials...
sapphire windowA sapphire window refers to a transparent optical component made from sapphire crystal. Sapphire is a single-crystal form of...
surface-emitting laser diodeA semiconductor laser diode that emits light perpendicular to the active region. The output radiation is taken through the...
Abbe-Porro prismA reflecting prism that inverts the image. The image is reflected four times internally and emitted laterally. The prism is...
two-sixReferring to compound semiconductor materials combining one element with two valence electrons and one or more with six....
injection luminescent diodeA semiconductor diode operating in either a coherent or incoherent mode that is used as a near-infrared or visible source in...
PN-junction luminescenceDischarge that results when a doped semiconductor crystal with a PN junction is charged with a low-voltage direct current....
chemical-mechanical polishingA technique for polishing silicon in which an alkaline suspension containing silicon dioxide particles creates a soft layer...
thermophotovoltaicThermophotovoltaic (TPV) refers to a technology that converts heat energy into electricity using the principles of...
fluorescent light sourceA tube containing mercury vapor and lined with a phosphor. When current is passed through the vapor the strong ultraviolet...
solid-state lampAn electroluminescent semiconductor that emits low intensity radiation in the green or red regions. Used as an indicator...
platinum silicideA semiconductor material used in photodetectors, sensitive in the infrared up to 5 µm.
optical coatingsOptical coatings are thin layers of materials applied to optical components, such as lenses, mirrors, filters, and prisms,...
vacuum spectrographA spectrograph that functions in a vacuum and therefore eliminates any air-absorption of the emission being surveyed.
airglowDiffuse light emitted by the atmosphere due to the excitation of particles of atmospheric gas. These excited particles...
organic dye laserA laser having a lasing material that is a fluorescing organic dye. Depending on the dye used, it can produce emission in...
fluorescence spectroscopyThe spectroscopic study of radiation emitted by the process of fluorescence.
silicon carbide light-emitting diodesSilicon carbide (SiC) light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are semiconductor devices that emit light when an electric current is...
metasurfacesMetasurfaces are two-dimensional arrays of subwavelength-scale artificial structures, often referred to as meta-atoms or...
organic light-emitting diodeAn organic light-emitting diode (OLED) is a type of light-emitting diode (LED) technology that utilizes organic compounds to...
sondeA ruggedized scintillation counter used in oil well logging. The cylindrical housing contains a gamma ray source, a...
PN junctionThe transition boundary between P-type and N-type materials in a semiconductor.
fluorometryThe analysis and measurement of the fluorescence emitted by a source. Fluorometric processes are more sensitive than light...
photonic integrated circuitA photonic integrated circuit (PIC) is a compact and integrated device that incorporates multiple photonic components and...
extrinsic detectorA photodetector composed of a semiconductor material whose responsive properties can be altered by the addition of...
photoemissive cell
electroforming processAn electrochemical process of metal fabrication using an electrolyte, an anode to supply the metal, and a control of the...
photoelectric emissionThe electron emission from a substance or instrument whose surface has been bombarded by a suitable amount of radiation.
quantum confinementQuantum confinement refers to the phenomenon in quantum mechanics where the motion of charge carriers, such as electrons or...
excimer laser coronary angioplastyExcimer laser coronary angioplasty (ELCA) refers to a medical procedure used in the treatment of coronary artery disease....
plasma chemical vapor depositionThe use of a plasma to induce the formation of oxides in the production of graded-index optical fibers.
infrared-emitting diodeA semiconductor device with a semiconductor junction in which infrared radiant flux is nonthermally produced when a current...
germanium crystalGermanium crystal refers to a crystalline form of the element germanium (Ge), which is a metalloid and semiconductor...
radiant heatInfrared radiation emitted from a source that is not heated sufficiently to give off visible radiation.
photonic crystalsPhotonic crystals are artificial structures or materials designed to manipulate and control the flow of light in a manner...
Goldberg wedgeA neutral-colored gelatin wedge, cast between glass plates, that is used as an intensity scale in certain types of...
laser isotope separationA process of isolation of various atom vapor ions by means of tuning a laser source. For example, laser enrichment is...
tunnel luminescenceLight that is emitted from a phosphor film applied to the surface of a three-layer thin film, respectively metal, oxide and...
Q machineDevice in which contact ionization of atomic particles and thermionic electron emission are used to produce magnetically...
bremsstrahlungElectromagnetic radiation that is emitted by an electron as it is accelerated or decelerated while moving through the...
photodiodeA two-electrode, radiation-sensitive junction formed in a semiconductor material in which the reverse current varies with...
CMOS cameraA CMOS camera refers to an imaging device that employs a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor to...
Doppler effectThe effect produced on a wave frequency because of the relative motion of a source or an observer. The radiation emitted...
infrared light sourceAn infrared light source is a device that emits light in the infrared spectrum, which lies beyond the visible spectrum of...
Förster resonance energy transferFörster resonance energy transfer (FRET) is a mechanism describing the transfer of energy between two closely spaced...
photoimmunotherapyPhotoimmunotherapy (PIT) is a medical treatment approach that combines elements of phototherapy and immunotherapy to target...
photoacoustic imagingAbbreviated PAI. An imaging modality with a hybrid technique based on the acoustic detection of optical absorption from...
native fluorescenceThe light emitted from tissues without the use of fluorescent dyes as markers. Because cancerous tissues and normal tissues...
reactorIn chemistry, a device in which a chemical reaction takes place. In electronics, a device that introduces reactance into a...
stibine gasThe purest gas source of antimony, which is used in the manufacture of compound semiconductors for IR sensors and...
microprobeAn instrument that produces an intense, tightly focused beam of ions to stimulate emissions from a minute section of a...
hyperchromic shiftHyperchromic shift refers to an increase in the absorption of light, leading to a higher absorbance, often observed in...
continuous waveContinuous wave (CW) refers to a type of signal or transmission where the signal is constant and does not vary with time. In...
self-absorptionIn optical emission spectroscopy, the reduction in radiant power in the central portion of spectral lines arising from the...
fused quartz and silicaFused quartz and silica are closely related materials, both composed primarily of silicon dioxide (SiO2), but they are...
lambertian source planeIn optics, a plane that emits a flux proportional to the cosine of the angle of the normal; dense opal glass is an example.
active mediumA material that produces stimulated emission during the process of amplification with a laser system.
Van der WaalsVan der Waals forces refer to the attractive or repulsive forces between molecules (or parts of molecules) that arise from...
spectral flow cytometrySpectral flow cytometry is an advanced flow cytometry technique that expands the capabilities of traditional flow cytometry...
spectrofluorometerAn automatic scanning instrument that is used to study a substance's fluorescence over a wide range of wavelengths. It...
resonanceResonance can be defined in various contexts, including physics, chemistry, and music. Here are definitions for resonance in...
microfluoroscopeA fluoroscope equipped with a magnified, fine-grained fluorescent screen to determine the fluorescence emitted by a...
sapphireSapphire refers to a crystalline form of aluminum oxide (Al2O3) that is used in various optical and photonic applications...
graserAn acronym of gamma ray amplification by stimulated emission of radiation. It is a gamma ray laser that operates between...
chirped-pulse amplificationChirped pulse amplification (CPA) is a technique used in laser physics to amplify ultrashort laser pulses to high energies...
scintillation phosphorA phosphor that has the ability to convert into light emission a portion of energy lost by ionization when a charged...
electron deviceAny device in which the passage of electrons through a vacuum, gas or semiconductor is the principal means of conduction.
optical switchingOptical switching refers to the process of controlling the routing or transmission of optical signals within a network using...
biostimulationThe action of a biological system responding to a single or multiple coherent particles of light produced from a laser...
N-type materialA quadrivalent semiconductor material, with electrons as the majority charge carriers, that is formed by doping with donor...
volumetric imagingVolumetric imaging refers to the capture, visualization, and analysis of three-dimensional (3D) information from a volume of...
remote active spectrometerA device employed to identify toxic agents lingering on the ground or in the air from up to three miles away, by using laser...
unipolarRefers to the transistors in which the working current flows through only one type of semiconductor material, either P-type...
thermoelectric solar cellA solar cell that uses a thermoelectric converter, consisting of two sheets of metal with a semiconductor sandwiched between...
proximity-focused image tubeA planar photocathode and a planar phosphor screen mounted in a close-spaced parallel configuration in an evacuated...
isocandela diagramIndication of emission brightness with degree of emission from an optical source.
ionization chamberA closed vessel with electrodes of different potentials that is used to determine how much ionization took place in a gas...
microbubble resonatorA microbubble resonator is a device used in photonics and optical physics for the precise manipulation of light waves. It...
Hertz effectThe ionization and spark emission due to exposure to ultraviolet radiation.
active regionThe layer of material in a laser diode from which the optical radiation is emitted; light producing region
covered grooveA technique used in integrated optics where a groove is cut on a substrate surface and covered by a thin film to facilitate...
gallium arsenide injection laserA laser system consisting of a planar PN junction within a single crystal of gallium arsenide. The pair of parallel,...
fluorescence microscopyFluorescence microscopy is a specialized optical imaging technique used in biology, chemistry, and materials science to...
linear positioning stageA linear positioning stage, also known as a linear stage or translation stage, is a precision mechanical device used to...
halideIn chemistry, a halide refers to a chemical compound containing one or more halogen atoms bonded to another element. The...
halogenAny of the five elements astatine, chlorine, fluorine, bromine and iodine, grouped because their chemical properties are...
nanotubeA nanotube, also known as a nanotubule or simply a tube-like structure, is a nanoscale cylindrical structure composed of...
phase maskIn optics and photolithography, a phase mask refers to a device that modifies the phase of light waves passing through it....
microheterogeneous systemsExtremely small organic and inorganic systems of molecules within a substance. In general, systems are colloidal size in...
Raman effectWhen light is transmitted through matter, part of the light is scattered in random directions. A small part of the scattered...
electron beamA stream of electrons emitted by a single source that move in the same direction and at the same speed.
chiralityChirality is a property of certain molecules and objects in which they are non-superimposable on their mirror images. In...
organic dyeAny organic substance, that when dissolved in appropriate liquid based solvents will absorb and emit electromagnetic...
darkeningThe formation of a dark-colored film on a metal surface by chemical activity.
ultrafast pulsed laserAn ultrafast pulsed laser is a type of laser that emits extremely short pulses of light with durations typically on the...
electron-gun systemAn electron-gun system is an assembly used to generate and control a focused beam of electrons. Electron guns find...
plasma laserOperates with light collectively emitted by the recombination of free electrons and ions in the plasma state.
phenotypeIn biology, particularly genetics and evolutionary biology, the phenotype refers to the observable characteristics or traits...
chemisorptionThe binding of gas to a surface or in matter by chemical activity.
pulse repetition frequencyNumber of pulses emitted per unit of time by a pulsed laser.
intrinsic photoemissionThe photoemission that would occur if a crystal were pure and its structure perfect.
direct laser interference patterningAlso called DLIP, a high-speed, high-resolution processing technique that uses high-power, pulsed laser systems to directly...
electric lampAny lamp whose emission of radiant energy is dependent upon the passage of an electrical current through the emissive medium.
infrared detectorAn infrared detector is a device that is used to detect and measure infrared radiation, which lies beyond the visible...
sapphire optical fiberSapphire optical fiber is a type of optical fiber made from single-crystal sapphire, which is a form of aluminum oxide...
laser pointerHandheld optical laser device containing a semiconductor or DPSS source. The output is corrected via internal collimating...
mid-wave infraredMWIR stands for mid-wave infrared, referring to a specific range of wavelengths within the infrared spectrum. Infrared...
emission spectrumAn emission spectrum is a graphical representation or a characteristic pattern of the wavelengths or frequencies of light...
light penA handheld, light-sensitive device that is used with a display console to directly change, measure or erase the visual...
iconoscopeA camera tube that employs a high-velocity electron beam to scan a photoemissive mosaic and to store electrical charge...
Kirchhoff's lawFor any point on a thermal radiator, at thermal equilibrium and for each wavelength, the emissivity in any direction is...
vacuum chamberA vacuum chamber is a sealed enclosure from which air and other gases are removed to create a low-pressure environment,...
ratiometryRatiometry is a technique used in various scientific fields, particularly in analytical chemistry and biochemistry, to...
mid-infrared cameraA mid-infrared camera is a type of imaging device designed to capture images in the mid-infrared (mid-IR) spectral range,...
vertical external cavity surface-emitting laserA laser that has a surface-emitting semiconductor gain element coupled to an external mirror designed to complete the laser...
interstellar absorption linesSharp and narrow absorption lines found in the spectra of stars. They result from the absorption of a part of a star's...
autofluorescenceAutofluorescence refers to the natural emission of fluorescence exhibited by certain biological structures or molecules when...
infrared image tubeAn image converter that produces a visible image based on the infrared emittance of the object. The infrared energy is...
total fluxThe luminous flux emitted by a light source in all directions.
bandgapIn semiconductor physics, the term bandgap refers to the energy range in a material where no electronic states are allowed....
x-radiographyRadiography using the emission of x-rays to form an image of the structure penetrated by the radiation.
depletion regionThe region at the PN junction in a semiconductor radiation detector where the potential energies of the two materials create...
thin-film solar cellA solar cell that is lightweight and flexible because of its construction by vacuum deposition of a semiconductor material...
semitransparent photocathodeA photocathode that receives radiation from one side and emits a photoelectric current from the opposite side.
polymerPolymers are large molecules composed of repeating structural units called monomers. These monomers are chemically bonded...
indium phosphideIndium phosphide (InP) is a compound semiconductor material composed of indium (In) and phosphorus (P). It belongs to the...
amplified spontaneous emissionBroadband radiation emitted by a laser that does not transmit through the optical element. It can be removed by filtering.
reflective spectroscopyReflectance spectroscopy is a technique used to analyze the reflective properties of materials across various wavelengths of...
photoelectric effectThe emission of an electron from a surface that occurs when a photon impinges upon the surface and is absorbed. This effect...
heatseekerA guided missile that uses an infrared sensor to detect and home in on an enemy target. The missile is guided by the high...
bright-line spectrumAn emission spectrum consisting of bright bands against a dark background.
lasing thresholdThe lowest excitation power level at which a laser's output is mainly the result of stimulated emission rather than...
near-field scanning optical microscopeA scanning probe microscope that analyzes the surface of a specimen by recording the intensity of light as it is focused...
McClatchey modelCalculation of gas and aerosol transmission and emission characteristics for several model atmospheres, including two model...
radiation thermocoupleA thermocouple that is used in infrared spectroscopy to detect a sample's infrared emittance. See thermocouple.
Wien's displacement lawThe formula that gives the wavelength of maximum spectral radiant emittance of a perfect blackbody: λmax =...
solar cellA device for converting sunlight into electrical energy, consisting of a sandwich of P-type and N-type semiconducting...
vibrational transitionA vibrational transition refers to a change in the vibrational energy of a molecule. Molecules consist of atoms that are...
spin-flip Raman laserA semiconductor laser that operates in the infrared and that is pumped with strong pulses of radiation from a second laser....
auroraThe strongest light emitted by the Earth's upper atmosphere. It most often can be viewed in the Arctic as the aurora...
quantum opticsThe area of optics in which quantum theory is used to describe light in discrete units or "quanta" of energy known as...
backscatterBackscatter refers to the phenomenon in which radiation or waves are scattered backward, opposite to the direction of the...
photocathodeAn electrode used to release photoelectric emission when irradiated, making it then the irradiated negative electrode of a...
emitterA source of radiation.
flat panel displayAn electronic display in which a flat screen is formed by an orthogonal array of display devices, such as electroluminescent...
surface-enhanced Raman scatteringSurface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) is a powerful analytical technique that enhances the Raman scattering signal of...
Brucke loupeA telemicroscope in which a negative eyepiece is used to produce erect images.
photoelectric pyrometerAn instrument used to measure the temperature of a source through the use of photoelectric cells to detect and measure the...
hemispherical cavityLaser cavity bounded by a plane mirror and a concave spherical mirror with the plane mirror located at the center of...
cathodoluminescenceLight produced when a metal is bombarded with high-velocity electrons causing small amounts of the metal to vaporize and...
three-level laserA laser having a material, such as ruby, that has an energy state structure of three levels: the ground state (1) wherein...
mode-locked lasersMode-locking is a technique used in lasers to produce ultrashort pulses of light with durations on the order of picoseconds,...
laser photochemistryThe study concerned with the stimulation of chemical activity by laser light as a result of the absorption of photons by a...
stick machineA polishing machine with a lens mounted on a wooden stick, allowing a very wide sweep. It is used to polish hemispherical or...
photonic cavityA photonic cavity, also known as an optical cavity, is a structure that confines electromagnetic radiation within a certain...
compound semiconductorA semiconductor made up of two or more elements, in contrast to those composed of a single element such as germanium or...
observatory domeA hemispherical covering that is rotatable about a central axis. There is a slit opening along one side wide enough to allow...
PIN photodiodeA PIN photodiode is a type of photodetector or semiconductor device used to convert light signals into electrical signals....
emissive powerThe emissivity of a body times the emissive power of a blackbody at the same temperature. For a blackbody, it is the total...
dark beamA precision-engineered microminiature light source that is safe for darkroom use, yet emits a beam of light bright enough to...
flame excitationThe use of high temperatures, between 2000 and 3000 °C, to excite emission lines from a sample in spectroscopic...
microcombA microcomb, short for microresonator frequency comb, is a novel photonic device that generates a precise series of evenly...
CMOS image sensorA CMOS image sensor, short for complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor image sensor, is a type of semiconductor device used...
atomic force microscopeAn atomic force microscope (AFM) is a high-resolution imaging and measurement instrument used in nanotechnology, materials...
photodynamic inactivationPhotodynamic inactivation (PDI) is a therapeutic approach that utilizes the combination of light, a photosensitizer, and...
halogen lampA halogen lamp, also known as a tungsten halogen, quartz-halogen, or quartz iodine lamp, is an incandescent lamp that uses a...
electrodeless discharge tubeA device consisting of an airtight quartz tube that holds the material to be analyzed. When a high-frequency electrostatic...
flame spectrumThe emission spectrum formed by the radiation from a sample that has been evaporated by a nonluminous flame.
convergent beam sensing modeA type of photoelectric proximity mode sensing incorporating a lens system to focus the light from the emitter in a small,...
Einstein coefficientsThree proportional coefficients labeled Am, Bmn, and Bnm, that respectively characterize the rate of spontaneous emission,...
Planck's (radiation) lawThe formula describing the spectral radiant emittance of a perfect blackbody as a function of its temperature and the...
pulsed laser depositionA technique for depositing a material coating on metal, ceramic, semiconductor or polymer substrates. The interaction of...
phototoxicityPhototoxicity refers to the harmful effects caused by exposure to light, particularly intense or ultraviolet (UV) light, on...
daylight lampAn incandescent or fluorescent lamp whose emittance spectrum resembles that of daylight.
positron emission tomographyA medical imaging device that uses a ring of crystal/photomultiplier tube assemblies encircling the patient to detect gamma...
radius toolA metal device of convex or concave curvature to which lens castings or semifinished lenses are cemented with only their...
far-field diffraction patternThe diffraction pattern of a source such as a light-emitting diode, injection laser diode or the output end of an optical...
laser dyeClass of organic dyes that emit coherent radiation over a wide spectral range.
stochastic optical reconstruction microscopyStochastic optical reconstruction microscopy (STORM) is a superresolution microscopy technique that enables imaging of...
enantiomerA molecule that is the mirror image of another molecule. The two mirror-image molecules have the same chemical properties;...
synchrotron radiationRadiation emitted by electrons when they travel in circular orbits at speeds close to that of light. Synchrotron radiation...
photodetectorA photodetector, also known as a photosensor or photodiode, is a device that detects and converts light into an electrical...
diamondlike carbon filmA very hard, highly transparent coating based on forms of carbon, used to protect optical components from abrasion and...
differential absorption lidarA lidar (light detection and ranging) technique used in pollution monitoring. Two light beams are emitted simultaneously,...
charge-coupled deviceA charge-coupled device (CCD) is a type of electronic image sensor used in various imaging devices, including digital...
lidarLidar, short for light detection and ranging, is a remote sensing technology that uses laser light to measure distances and...
linear arrayA solid-state video detector consisting of a single row of light-sensitive semiconductor devices, used in linear-array...
optical bistabilityThe phenomenon that can render an optical resonator the equivalent of a semiconductor flip-flop. A bistable device will...
quantum wellA quantum well is a structure in quantum mechanics that confines particles, such as electrons or holes, in one spatial...
cinemicrographyCinematography performed with the use of a microscope to film the actions of microscopic specimens.
electrolysisConduction of an electric current through a chemical compound in its natural state, solution or as a molten, to decompose...
relative equilibriumThe steady state of temperature exhibited by a material that has absorbed and emitted radiation equally.
photovoltaicPhotovoltaic (PV) refers to a technology that converts sunlight directly into electricity using semiconductors. The term...
stacked-diode laserA type of laser used when a great amount of power is required. Avoiding the bulk of large numbers of optical lenses, this...
free-space opticsFree-space optics (FSO), also known as optical wireless communication or optical wireless networking, refers to the...
photobleachingPhotobleaching is a phenomenon in which the fluorescence of a fluorophore (a fluorescent molecule or dye) is permanently...
detemA device in which the functions of optical detector and emitter are combined.
nanoparticle photonic resonator absorption microscopyNanoparticle photonic resonator absorption microscopy is a microscopy technique that combines the principles of photonic...
infrared lensAn infrared lens is an optical component specifically designed and optimized for transmitting, focusing, or manipulating...
channel electron multiplierA photoelectric detector consisting of a glass tube internally coated with a low conductance material. Voltage applied along...
laser active elementsLaser active elements typically refers to the substances or materials within a laser system that play a critical role in the...
leachingThe process of removing some of the constituents of a glass surface by chemical action.
secondary x-raysX-rays emitted by a substance that formerly has been exposed to x-rays. The properties of the substance determine the...
histochemical stainingHistochemical staining is a laboratory technique used in biology and medicine to visualize specific chemical components...
photoluminescenceThe state of optically excited luminescence. Luminescence refers to the light emitted by excited atoms or ions as they decay...
vacuum ultraviolet spectroscopyA method of spectral analysis using wavelengths between 100 and 300 nm that utilizes both emission and absorption techniques.
short wavelength infraredShort wavelength infrared (SWIR) refers to the portion of the infrared spectrum that encompasses wavelengths roughly between...
quantum dotsA quantum dot is a nanoscale semiconductor structure, typically composed of materials like cadmium selenide or indium...
optical glassOptical glass refers to a type of glass specifically engineered and manufactured for use in optical components and systems,...
piezoelectric motion systemsPiezoelectric motion systems are mechanical systems that utilize piezoelectric materials to generate controlled motion or...
flux rise timeTime elapsed during the radiant output change from 10 to 90 percent of maximum in a light-emitting diode or laser. Usually...
attenuated total reflectance spectroscopyAttenuated total reflectance (ATR) spectroscopy is a technique used in analytical chemistry to obtain IR spectra of samples....
thin-film deposition equipmentThin-film deposition equipment refers to machinery and tools used in the process of depositing thin layers of material onto...
Marx effectThe decrease in the energy of a photoelectric emission as a result of the simultaneous incidence of radiation having lower...
packing fractionThe ratio of the active core area of a fiber bundle to the total area at its light-emitting or receiving end.
blind approach beacon systemA ground-based navigation beacon that emits pulsed signals which are picked up by aircraft making an instrument (blind)...
core-coupled lensA semispherical or conical lens created directly on the core of an optical fiber to focus light from a laser into the fiber...
optical coherence tomographyOptical coherence tomography (OCT) is a non-invasive imaging technique used in medical and scientific fields to capture...
acceptorImpurity in a semiconductor or any other electroluminescent device capable of inducing hole conduction and accepting a...
lateral modeIn a diode laser, a mode in the plane of the active layer that is perpendicular to the direction of the emitted beam.
photoemissive detectorAn electronic tube instrument in which the anode current varies with the intensity of light incident on the cathode.
laserA laser, which stands for "light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation," is a device that produces coherent and...
probe cardA probe card is a testing device used in the semiconductor manufacturing industry to evaluate and test the electrical...
optically pumped laserA laser in which stimulated emission is triggered by the absorption by electrons of light from an auxiliary source such as a...
extreme ultravioletExtreme ultraviolet (EUV) refers to a specific range of electromagnetic radiation in the ultraviolet part of the spectrum....
cesium 134An isotope of cesium that emits negative beta particles and has a half-life of 2.19 years; its applications include...
negative-electron-affinity photocathodeA photocathode having a P-type semiconductor with a work function less than its bandgap. The photocathode can release a...
clear apertureThe limited light-gathering area of an optical system. The area is normally restricted to an edge or outer surface of an...
heat lampA lamp designed to emit a large amount of infrared radiation; used in applications requiring heat.
long-wave infraredLong-wave infrared (LWIR) refers to a specific range of the infrared spectrum. Infrared radiation is divided into three main...
beta fluorographyThe use of a short-duration electron beam to record high-speed events that occur in microscopic objects made of materials...
cold shieldThat part of an infrared detector-Dewar assembly that limits the solid angle viewed by the sensor; it is maintained at a...
actinic focusThat point in the electromagnetic spectrum at which an optical system focuses the most chemically effective rays.
spectral lineA narrow range of emitted or absorbed wavelengths.
fluorescence lifetimeFluorescence lifetime refers to the average time it takes for a fluorophore, a molecule that absorbs light at one wavelength...
impurity levelIn the context of optical materials, the term "impurity level" refers to the presence of foreign atoms or molecules within...
CID cameraCID, or charge injection device, camera refers to a type of imaging device that utilizes a specific kind of solid-state...
germanium detectorA type of photoconductive detector in which germanium, usually doped with boron, gallium and indium, serves as a...
reactive evaporationReactive evaporation refers to a process in thin-film deposition where a material is deposited onto a substrate through...
simultaneous exposure and developmentThe process, used with a positive photoresist, in which the photoresist is immersed in developing chemicals while being...
optofluidicsOptofluidics is an interdisciplinary field that combines principles from optics and fluidics to create devices and systems...
cascade showerA shower of cosmic rays whereby a high-energy electron produces one or more photons that convert into electron pairs, the...
vertical-cavity laser diodeA type of surface-emitting laser diode that uses dielectric mirrors to produce surface emission. The laser cavity is...
endoscopeAn endoscope is a medical device used for visualizing and examining the interior of hollow organs, body cavities, or...
superresolutionSuperresolution refers to the enhancement or improvement of the spatial resolution beyond the conventional limits imposed by...
CCD cameraA CCD camera, or charge-coupled device camera, is a type of digital camera that utilizes a CCD image sensor to capture and...
nuclear magnetic resonanceA phenomenon, exploited for medical imaging, in which the nuclei of material placed in a strong magnetic field will absorb...
scintillation crystalA scintillation crystal, also known simply as a scintillator, is a material that emits light when it interacts with ionizing...
stimulated emissionRadiation similar in origin to spontaneous emission but determined by the presence of other radiation having the same...
photoelectric cathodeA cathode principally designed to emit a photoelectric current.
optical instrument domeA dome-shaped structure used for some optical instruments in place of a flat window. The transparent material should be of...
epitaxialEpitaxial refers to the growth of a crystalline layer on a crystalline substrate in such a way that the orientation of the...
positroniumBasically, a hydrogen atom with two alterations, positronium is the lightest atom in the universe and has an extremely light...
self-luminous light sourceAny material that derives its energy from chemically or electrically induced reactions; isotope or radium excitation is used...
optical testing instrumentAn optical testing instrument is a device or system used to evaluate and measure the performance, quality, and...
infrared photodetector arrayAn impurity-doped silicon detector array sensitive to long infrared wavelengths, installed in optical collecting systems...
light amplifierA device that serves to emit light of the same wavelength as the input light, only with an increase in intensity. It may be...
catastrophic optical damageThe darkening of the laser facet of a semiconductor laser diode. It can be prevented by placing the component in a...
dichroic mirrorA dichroic mirror, also known as a dichroic beamsplitter or interference filter beamsplitter, is an optical device that...
gray bodyA temperature radiator whose spectral emissivity at all wavelengths is in constant ratio (less than unity) to that of a...
photobiomodulationA light therapy that utilizes nonionizing light sources, including lasers, LEDs, and broadband light, in the visible and...
infrared spectroscopyThe measurement of the ability of matter to absorb, transmit or reflect infrared radiation and the relating of the resultant...
helium-neon laserA helium-neon (HeNe) laser is a type of gas laser that emits visible red light at a wavelength of 632.8 nm. It operates...
thermographyThermography is a technique that involves the use of an infrared imaging device, called a thermal camera or infrared camera,...
fiber optic spectrometerA fiber optic spectrometer is a device used for measuring the spectral content of light. It utilizes optical fibers to...
fiber-based confocal luminescence microscopeA microscope in which laser light is delivered through single-mode fibers that replace the pinhole usually used in confocal...
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