beam splitter
noun
: a mirror or prism or a combination of the two that is used to divide a beam of radiation into two or more parts
Examples of beam splitter in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The light passes through a beam splitter while boosted by an accompanying input laser, and then travels through another mirror while refracted by the spectrometer.
—
Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 30 Nov. 2023
The necessary matrix multiplications can be done using three simple kinds of components: optical beam splitters, photodiodes, and capacitors.
—IEEE Spectrum, 21 June 2019
Quantum computation works with a series of mirrors, beam splitters, and prisms that alter the phase of photons to be mapped to 0s and 1s.
—Darren Orf, Popular Mechanics, 15 Feb. 2023
After the split light repeatedly bounces back and forth within each arm, the two beams then pass back through the beam splitter into a photodetector.
—Caitlyn Buongiorno, Discover Magazine, 9 July 2020
The central chamber houses the beam splitter, which divides an incoming laser into two perpendicular beams.
—Tim Hornyak, Discover Magazine, 1 May 2016
To do that, put both Jennifer and Brad into a beam splitter.
—Dan Hurley, Discover Magazine, 3 Oct. 2020
After these alternative causal events have occurred, another beam splitter reunites the two versions of the photon.
—Quanta Magazine, 11 Mar. 2021
Under these circumstances, if two photons arrive at a beam splitter at the same time via different ports, then their paths will become linked (entangled).
—Chris Lee, Ars Technica, 7 Dec. 2020
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Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 30 Nov. 2023
The necessary matrix multiplications can be done using three simple kinds of components: optical beam splitters, photodiodes, and capacitors.
—IEEE Spectrum, 21 June 2019
Quantum computation works with a series of mirrors, beam splitters, and prisms that alter the phase of photons to be mapped to 0s and 1s.
—Darren Orf, Popular Mechanics, 15 Feb. 2023
After the split light repeatedly bounces back and forth within each arm, the two beams then pass back through the beam splitter into a photodetector.
—Caitlyn Buongiorno, Discover Magazine, 9 July 2020
The central chamber houses the beam splitter, which divides an incoming laser into two perpendicular beams.
—Tim Hornyak, Discover Magazine, 1 May 2016
To do that, put both Jennifer and Brad into a beam splitter.
—Dan Hurley, Discover Magazine, 3 Oct. 2020
After these alternative causal events have occurred, another beam splitter reunites the two versions of the photon.
—Quanta Magazine, 11 Mar. 2021
Under these circumstances, if two photons arrive at a beam splitter at the same time via different ports, then their paths will become linked (entangled).
—Chris Lee, Ars Technica, 7 Dec. 2020
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'beam splitter.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1935, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near beam splitter
Cite this Entry
“Beam splitter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/beam%20splitter. Accessed 8 Dec. 2023.
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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about beam splitter
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