free-electron laser
noun
free-elec·tron laser
ˈfrē-i-ˈlek-ˌträn- 
: 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
Recent Examples on the Web
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
Today, researchers must apply to national synchrotron facilities or free-electron lasers for brief, highly competitive access to intense X-ray beams.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 17 Nov. 2025
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
With pulses that short, observers can harness a free-electron laser to see individual atoms in motion, molecules making and breaking bonds, and even electron orbitals in excitation.
—IEEE Spectrum, 26 Sep. 2023
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.
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
Today, researchers must apply to national synchrotron facilities or free-electron lasers for brief, highly competitive access to intense X-ray beams.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 17 Nov. 2025
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
With pulses that short, observers can harness a free-electron laser to see individual atoms in motion, molecules making and breaking bonds, and even electron orbitals in excitation.
—IEEE Spectrum, 26 Sep. 2023
Cite this Entry
“Free-electron laser.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/free-electron%20laser. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
