atomic gas laser

atomic gas laser

[ə′täm·ik ′gas ‚lā·zər]

(optics)

A gas laser, such as the helium-neon laser, in which electrons and ions accelerated between electrodes by an electric field collide and excite atoms and ions to higher energy levels; laser action occurs during subsequent decay back to lower energy levels.

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific & Technical Terms, 6E, Copyright © 2003 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.