free-electron laser

noun

free-elec·​tron laser ˈfrē-i-ˈlek-ˌträn- How to pronounce free-electron laser (audio)
: a laser that can be tuned over a wide range of frequencies and that produces electromagnetic radiation by the motion of electrons moving at relativistic velocities in a magnetic field

Examples of free-electron laser in a Sentence

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
If the next steps also work out, free-electron lasers may not stay confined to giant facilities for long. — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 19 Apr. 2026 Over the past 15 years, scientists have built X-ray free-electron lasers, which instead of emitting beams of visible light emit X-rays. — Thomas Linker, The Conversation, 15 Oct. 2025 XLight XLight is a private company headquartered in Palo Alto, California that is developing free-electron lasers to manufacture semiconductors. — Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 7 Feb. 2026 The company xLight, which counts former Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger as executive chair, seeks to develop free-electron lasers to improve one stage of chip production known as lithography, which uses light to print patterns onto silicon wafers. — Julia Shapero, The Hill, 2 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for free-electron laser

Word History

First Known Use

1978, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of free-electron laser was in 1978

Rhymes for free-electron laser

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Browse Nearby Words

free electron
free-electron laser
free endpaper
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Cite this Entry

“Free-electron laser.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/free-electron%20laser. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on free-electron laser

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about free-electron laser

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