Crossword Genius

Real problem with small beam (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

laser

'beam' is the definition.
(laser beam is a kind of beam)

'real problem with small' is the wordplay.
'problem with' indicates an anagram.
'small' becomes 's' (abbreviation - e.g. clothes size).
'real' anagrammed with 's' gives 'LASER'.

(Other definitions for laser that I've seen before include "type of surgery" , "Intense light generator" , "Beam (used in surgery)" , "Device for concentrating light" , "Coherent light beam" .)

I've seen this clue in The Mirror.
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