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photon

photon

83 7.3
A very small particle of light that carries energy
  • noun
  • /ˈfoʊtɒn/
  • Specialized
translation icon : fotón
  • Scientists study how photons travel from the sun to the earth, bringing light and energy.
  • photon energy
  • single photon
  • particles and photons

So this means that one photon can interfere with itself.

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Examples

  • For example, quasars are expected to produce background radiation with more high-energy photons than the galaxies would.

    Academic text (1999)
  • Pull up the display on the photon densitometer.

  • To them, the photon would look blue the whole time.

  • I'm professor for photon science here at Stanford.

  • Could this be why photons are always traveling at that speed?

  • In contrast, the ENS group has measured whether just one photon is present in their cavity.

    Academic text (1999)
  • The Compton effect refers to the interaction of high-energy photons that are scattered by electrons.

    Academic text (1990)
  • In silicon-based devices, the image is captured as individual photons interact with the semiconductor material to generate electron-hole pairs.

    Academic text (1992)
  • Unlike photomultipliers and other devices that measure light by absorbing photons, a QND measurement leaves the photon number unchanged.

    Academic text (1999)
  • New technology can capture photons for more efficient solar energy conversion.

How Energetic

gamma ray
  • Specialized
21 4.2
X-ray
  • Specialized
99 3.2
ultraviolet ray
  • Specialized
5 3.9
photon
  • Specialized
83 7.3
visible light
  • Specialized
10 3.4
infrared ray
  • Specialized
1 4.4
microwave
  • Specialized
55 3.7

Surface Forms

photon singular
photons plural

Morphology

photon = phot + on

The light-related root plus the scientific noun suffix '-on' suggests a particle term, but the exact meaning as a quantum of electromagnetic radiation is specialized.

Etymology

The word photon comes from the Greek part phot- and the old Greek word phōs, both meaning 'light', which you see in photo and photograph. The ending -on is used in science to name small particles, as in electron, so a photon is basically a 'small piece of light'.