photon

[foh-ton]

noun

1. a quantum of electromagnetic radiation, usually considered as an elementary particle that is its own antiparticle and that has zero rest mass and charge and a spin of one. γ

photon

/ ˈfəʊtɒn /

noun

1. a quantum of electromagnetic radiation, regarded as a particle with zero rest mass and charge, unit spin, and energy equal to the product of the frequency of the radiation and the Planck constant

photon

1. The subatomic particle that carries the electromagnetic force and is the quantum of electromagnetic radiation. The photon has a rest mass of zero, but has measurable momentum, exhibits deflection by a gravitational field, and can exert a force. It has no electric charge, has an indefinitely long lifetime, and is its own antiparticle.

2. See Note at electromagnetic radiation See Table at subatomic particle

photon

1. The quantum, or bundle of energy, in which light and other forms of electromagnetic radiation are emitted. (See atom.)

Word History and Origins

Origin of photon¹

First recorded in 1900–05; phot- + -on ¹

Example Sentences

Particles like trapped ions and photons are a fundamental part of a quantum computer, and make up the basic units of information, called qubits.

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The emitted photons give the asteroid a tiny push, one that builds up over time, and depending on the asteroid can either speed up its rotation or slow it down.

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By placing nanodiamonds into specially designed hybrid nanoantennas with extreme precision, the team achieved record photon collection at room temperature -- a necessary step for quantum technologies such as quantum sensors, and quantum-secured communications.

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“But I worry people will be disappointed. You want people to have the direct experience of those photons from those objects going into their eyes and knowing what they’re looking at.”

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In this process, the X-ray photons trigger a "molecular catapult effect": light atomic groups are ejected first, similar to projectiles fired from a catapult, while the heavier atoms -- bromine and chlorine -- separate more slowly.

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