| stimulate | 1. To excite as if with a goad; to excite, rouse, or animate, to action or more vigorous exertion by some pungent motive or by persuasion; as, to stimulate one by the hope of reward, or by the prospect of glory. "To excite and stimulate us thereunto." (Dr. J. Scott) 2. <physiology> To excite; to irritate; especially, to excite the activity of (a nerve or an irritable muscle), as by electricity. Synonym: To animate, incite, encourage, impel, urge, instigate, irritate, exasperate, incense. Origin: L. Stimulatus, p.p. Of stimulare to prick or goad on, to incite, fr. Stimulus a goad. See Stimulus. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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| stimulated emission | <radiobiology> Radiation coherently emitted by excited ions when driven by a passing light wave and the appropriate transition wavelength. Laser means Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation, it occurs when there is a population inversion between the upper and lower energy states of the transition, such that stimulated emission can dominate excitation. Stimulated emission is coherent and codirectional with the stimulating wave, and the rate of stimulated emission is proportional to the intensity of the stimulating wave. (09 Oct 1997) |