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Q-Switch
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A
device that has the effect of a shutter to control the laser
resonator's ability to oscillate. Control allows one to spoil
the resonator's "Q-factor," keeping it low to prevent lasing
action. When a high level of energy is stored, the laser can
emit a very high-peak-power pulse.
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Q-Switched
Laser
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A
laser which stores energy in the laser media to produce extremely
short, extremely high intensity bursts of energy.
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Quantum
Efficiency (QE)
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The intrinsic
ability of a detector to convert photons into electrons. It
is the ratio of generated electrons to incident photons expressed
as a percentage.
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Quartz
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The
naturally occurring crystalline form of silicon dioxide. It
is slightly birefringent and exhibits rotary dispersion of
light rays transmitted along the crystal axis. Quartz transmits
light from about 180 nm in the ultraviolet to 4.5 ¦Ìm in the
infrared. It is very hard and takes a high polish, and has
a low thermal expansion coefficient. Crystalline quartz is
used extensively in ultraviolet laser applications and for
a variety of polarization components.
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