As used in any American National Standard Institute (ANSI) Z136.x document, the word is to be understood as implementing a mandatory response.

as used in any ANSI Z136.x document the word is to be understood as implementing an advisory response.

The response of a device or material to monochromatic light as a function of wavelength.

Temperature, electrical, dimensional, and power stability are important attributes in a working laser. The Everlase™ series of industrial lasers achieve such stability through circulating coolant, cast iron end pieces, permanent alignment, electrical control, and kinematic mounting. Result: long-term variation of only +/- 2% of rated power.

When an atom, ion, or molecule capable of lasing is excited to a higher energy level by an electric charge or other means, it will spontaneously emit a photon as it decays to the normal ground state. If that photon passes near another atom of the same frequency which is also at some metastable energy level, the second atom will be stimulated to emit a photon. Both photons will be of the same wavelength, phase, and spatial coherence. Light amplified in this manner is intense, coherent (collimated or parallel), and monochromatic. In short, laser light.