Awful mark erasable — with this? (5,4)

I believe the answer is:

laser beam

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'this?' is the definition.
The definition suggests a singular noun which matches the answer.

'awful mark erasable' is the wordplay.
'awful' indicates anagramming the letters.
'mark' becomes 'm'.
'm'+'erasable'='merasable'
'merasable' with letters rearranged gives 'LASER BEAM'.

'with' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for laser beam that I've seen before include "penetrating light" , "Shaft of light or electromagnetic radiation" , "Column of intensified light" , "Shaft of light or electro-mechanic radiation" , "Intense ray of light" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.

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