beam splitter

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noun Optics, Photography.

a mirror or prism that divides a beam of light into two parts by reflecting a part of the beam, used in camera range finders.

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Origin of beam splitter

First recorded in 1930–35

Words nearby beam splitter

Beamon, beam-power tube, beam reach, beam riding, beam sea, beam splitter, beam trawl, beam weapon, beam wind, beamy, bean

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use beam splitter in a sentence

So, we had to adapt and set up two cameras side by side on a beam splitter system.
David Attenborough’s Life in Color - Issue 107: The Edge|Mary Ellen Hannibal|September 29, 2021|Nautilus
This allowed the Xanadu researchers to design a silicon chip that implements a complex optical network made up of beam splitters, waveguides, and devices called interferometers that cause light sources to interact with each other.
Nanophotonics Could Be the ‘Dark Horse’ of the Quantum Computing Race, New Paper Says|Edd Gent|March 15, 2021|Singularity Hub
After these alternative causal events have occurred, another beam splitter reunites the two versions of the photon.
Quantum Mischief Rewrites the Laws of Cause and Effect|Natalie Wolchover|March 11, 2021|Quanta Magazine
Now swap balls for laser-emitted photons, pegs for beam splitters and mirrors, and slots for photodetectors.
New Quantum Computer in China Claims Quantum Advantage With Light|Jason Dorrier|December 6, 2020|Singularity Hub

Those devices include light sources, hundreds of beam splitters, dozens of mirrors and 100 photon detectors.
The new light-based quantum computer Jiuzhang has achieved quantum supremacy|Emily Conover|December 3, 2020|Science News
Back then, no one ever imagined needing to beam live video to ground troops from a fighter jet.
Newest U.S. Stealth Fighter ‘10 Years Behind’ Older Jets|Dave Majumdar|December 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Conservative columnist George Will calls him a “cherubic 40-year-old…a human beam of sunshine.”
With Ernst and Gardner, Republicans Think They’ve Found the Formula|Eleanor Clift|November 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Her door stands ajar, halving the room with a beam of light.
After the Genocide, Rwanda’s Widows Aging Alone|Nina Strochlic|August 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Outside the lodge, running along its perimeter, was a small ditch lined by posts topped by a chest-high wooden beam.
Spirit Tripping With Colombian Shamans|Chris Allbritton|August 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The pulses are from a beam of light produced by the intense magnetic field, which sweeps across Earth as the neutron star rotates.
The Weirdest Object in the Universe|Matthew R. Francis|May 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The latter went immediately to look for his wife, and found her hidden in an attic, hanging to a beam.
The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898, Volume XX, 1621-1624|Various
Cast the beam from thine eye before noticing the mote in that of thy neighbour.
Solomon and Solomonic Literature|Moncure Daniel Conway
It was placed immediately over the shaft and pump-rods, requiring no engine-beam.
Life of Richard Trevithick, Volume II (of 2)|Francis Trevithick
A connecting rod worked a balance-beam, which worked the air-pump, feed-pump, and plug-rod for moving the valves.
Life of Richard Trevithick, Volume II (of 2)|Francis Trevithick
A large balance-beam was attached to the pump-rods, near the bottom cross-head.
Life of Richard Trevithick, Volume II (of 2)|Francis Trevithick

British Dictionary definitions for beam splitter

beam splitter

noun

a system that divides a beam of light, electrons, etc, into two or more paths

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012