power scaling

English

Alternative forms

• powerscaling

Etymology

From power +‎ scaling.

Noun

power scaling (countable and uncountable, plural power scalings)

1. (optics) The act of increasing the output power of a laser without changing the geometry, shape, or principle of operation.
   • 2002, J. Limpert, H. Zellmer, A. Tünnermann, T. Pertsch, F. Lederer, “Suppression of higher order modes in a multimode fiber amplifier using efficient gain-loss-management (GLM)”, in Martin E. Fermann, Larry R. Marshall, editors, Advanced Solid-State Lasers (OSA Trends in Optics and Photonics; 68), Washington, D.C.: Optical Society of America, →DOI, →ISBN, page 112:

     Fiber lasers and fiber amplifiers are one of the most promising solid state laser concepts and find widespread applications that require efficient, rugged and compact optical sources. However, powerscaling in conventional stepindex single-mode fibers is restricted.

2. (fandom slang) The practice of assessing the physical power and abilities of a fictional character through a comparison with another character.
   • 2022 September 28, Saarthak Johri, “‘Reach’ culture: The online malaise on media literacy”, in The Michigan Daily‎^[1]:

     Let’s talk about the practice of “powerscaling” for a second — a common thought experiment that elevates itself to annoyance and is perhaps symptomatic of a greater evil. […] Powerscaling ignores every way characters can interact with each other to boil it down to physical violence[.]

   • 2022 October 18, Suzail Ahmad, “One Piece: Why Power Scaling Ruins The Experience”, in Game Rant‎^[2]:

     Power scaling is a method by which fans determine the power of a character by comparing them to others. When done with enough proof, power scaling could actually be interesting, but since there are many characters in One Piece whose abilities still remain a mystery, it is difficult to analyze their strength.

Derived terms

• powerscale