Q-switchn.
/ˈkjuːswɪtʃ/, U.S. /ˈkjuˌswɪtʃ/ Physics.
A means of suddenly increasing or decreasing the Q (see Q n. 11) of a laser (usually the former, done in order to produce a single pulse of very high power). Cf. Q-switching n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > physics > electromagnetic radiation > light > laser > [noun] > blocking mechanism
Q-switch1963
1963 Jrnl. Appl. Physics 34 1000/2 (heading) Faraday effect as Q-switch for ruby laser.
1973 Jrnl. Appl. Physics 44 4067/1 The oscillation of the laser with the cavity closed is sensed by a fast photodiode whose output signal opens the electro-optical Q switch.
1993 News Express 3 Sept. 1/3 Laser technology may provide the answer you're looking for. It's called a Q-switch... This switch permits a brief pulse of laser light to be directed at the offending [skin] pigment.
2005 N. Hodgson & H. Weber Laser Resonators & Beam Propagation xii. 447 The pulse repetition rate will then automatically switch to half the Q-switch repetition rate.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2007; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
Q-switchv.
/ˌkjuːˈswɪtʃ/, U.S. /ˈkjuˈswɪtʃ/ Physics.
transitive. To use a Q-switch on (a laser), usually in order suddenly to increase the Q (see Q n. 11) and produce a single pulse of very high power. Cf. Q-switching n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > physics > electromagnetic radiation > light > laser > subject to processes [verb (transitive)]
pump1953
pulse1957
Q-switch1963
mode-lock1966
Q-spoil1966
1963 Jrnl. Appl. Physics 34 3407/1 A CaWO4:Nd3+ laser was successfully Q-switched.
1980 Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) A. 298 227 A Nd:YAG laser is Q-switched in synchronism with the dumping of a subpicosecond pulse from the dye laser.
2003 N. F. Borrelli in A. L. Efros et al. Semiconductor Nanocrystals 38 Using a PbS quantum dot sample to Q-switch a Er-Yb-doped phosphate and fluorophosphate.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2007; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
<
n.1963
v.1963