TEM Abbreviation for: Transverse Electro-Magnetic modes. Used to designate
the cross-sectional shape of the beam.
TEM(oo) The lowest order mode possible with a bell-shaped (Gaussian) distribution
of light across the laser beam.
THERMAL RELAXATION TIME The time to dissipate the heat absorbed during a laser
pulse.
THRESHOLD The input level at which lasing begins during excitation of the laser
medium.
TRANSMISSION Passage of electromagnetic radiation through a medium.
TRANSMITTANCE The ratio of transmitted radiant energy to incident radiant energy,
or the fraction of light that passes through a medium.
TRANSVERSE ELECTROMAGNETIC MODE The radial distribution of intensity across
a beam as it exits the optical cavity. See TEM.
TUNABLE LASER A laser system that can be "tuned" to emit laser light over a
continuous range of wavelengths or frequencies.
TUNABLE DYE LASER A laser whose active medium is a liquid dye, pumped by another
laser or flashlamps, to produce various colors of light. The color of light may
be tuned by adjusting optical tuning elements and-or changing the dye used.
