excimer

American  

[ek-suh-mer] / ˈɛk sə mər /

noun

Chemistry.

1. a molecular complex of two, usually identical, molecules that is stable only when one of them is in an excited state.

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excimer British  

/ ˈɛkˌsaɪmə /

noun

1. physics an excited dimer formed by the association of excited and unexcited molecules, which would remain dissociated in the ground state

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Etymology

Origin of excimer

First recorded in 1960–65; exci(ted) + (di)mer

Example Sentences

The devices that make use of the new UV wavelengths, called KrCl excimer lamps, are still relatively rare and expensive.

From Science Daily • Oct. 18, 2023

Laser vision correction often uses an excimer laser that produces 193-nm electromagnetic radiation.

From Textbooks • Aug. 12, 2015

The top layer of the cornea is surgically peeled back and the underlying tissue ablated by multiple bursts of finely controlled ultraviolet radiation produced by an excimer laser.

From Textbooks • Aug. 12, 2015

Star Wars Supporter Edward Teller considers fleets of laser satellites and orbiting mirrors too expensive to make chemical or excimer lasers practicable for missile defense.

From Time Magazine Archive

So a company called Summit Technology, of Waltham, Mass., dedicated itself to figuring out how to adapt the excimer laser to eye surgery.

From Time Magazine Archive