photoionization
Radiation ejects electrons
Photoionization is the process by which an atom or molecule absorbs a photon with sufficient energy to eject one or more electrons, transforming the particle into an ion.
This phenomenon occurs when light—typically ultraviolet or X-ray radiation—strikes matter with enough energy to overcome the binding force holding electrons in place.
Photoionization is fundamental to understanding how starlight affects interstellar gas, how the upper atmosphere becomes electrically charged, and how certain detectors and spectrometers operate.
Negative subatomic particle
- ionCharged atom or molecule
- thresholdPoint of beginning
- cross-sectionView through interior
- orbitalRevolving around another
valence · shell · photoelectron · core-level
Charged upper atmospheric layer
- nebulaInterstellar gas formation
- coronaStar's outermost atmosphere
- chromosphereStellar atmospheric zone
- photosphereStar's light-emitting surface
recombination · opacity · plasma · airglow · aurora
Mental separation from surroundings
- fragmentationBreaking into smaller pieces
- polyatomicHaving several atoms
- diatomicHaving two atoms
Highest-energy electromagnetic wave
- intensityStrength or force level
- wavelengthSpatial repetition interval
- frequencyRate of recurrence
- bandwidthData transmission capacity
continuous · pulsed · laser · femtosecond · attosecond
Duration of particle travel
- coincidenceUnplanned matching of events
- imagingProducing visual representations
electron
Negative subatomic particle
- ionCharged atom or molecule
- thresholdPoint of beginning
- cross-sectionView through interior
orbital · valence · shell · photoelectron · core-level
ionosphere
Charged upper atmospheric layer
- nebulaInterstellar gas formation
- coronaStar's outermost atmosphere
- chromosphereStellar atmospheric zone
photosphere · recombination · opacity · plasma · airglow · aurora
dissociation
Mental separation from surroundings
- fragmentationBreaking into smaller pieces
- polyatomicHaving several atoms
- diatomicHaving two atoms
gamma-ray
Highest-energy electromagnetic wave
- intensityStrength or force level
- wavelengthSpatial repetition interval
- frequencyRate of recurrence
bandwidth · continuous · pulsed · laser · femtosecond · attosecond
time-of-flight
Duration of particle travel
- coincidenceUnplanned matching of events
- imagingProducing visual representations
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