ruby laser

noun

1. a solid-state, pulsed laser that uses a ruby crystal to produce a very strong beam of red coherent light, used in making holographs and in cosmetic instruments.

Word History and Origins

Origin of ruby laser¹

First recorded in 1955–60

Example Sentences

Maiman's original ruby laser had a flash-tube wrapped spirally around a pricey ruby core.

From Salon

Shine a ruby laser into a quartz crystal, for example, and a beam of ultraviolet light comes out — albeit dimmer, but still focused like a laser beam.

From Scientific American

Dr. Boyle and a co-worker, Don Nelson, developed the ruby laser in 1962.

From New York Times

Ruby laser "It's a remarkable light source, a billion times better than a normal light source," says Professor David Hanna from the Optoelectronics Research Centre at Southampton University.

From BBC

Just one year later it was being applied in a medical procedure at an American hospital, where a ruby laser was used to destroy an eye tumour.

From BBC