exciton

American  

[ik-sahy-ton, ek-si-ton] / ɪkˈsaɪ tɒn, ˈɛk sɪˌtɒn /

noun

Physics.

1. a localized, mobile excited state of a crystal, consisting of an electron and a hole bound together.

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exciton British  

/ ˈɛksaɪˌtɒn /

noun

1. a mobile neutral entity in a crystalline solid consisting of an excited electron bound to the hole produced by its excitation

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Etymology

Origin of exciton

1935–40; excit(ed) or excit(ation) + -on ¹

Example Sentences

When light strikes many carbon based materials, it creates a tightly bound packet of energy called an exciton -- a paired electron and hole.

From Science Daily

As Dean's team tuned these parameters, they noticed an unexpected pattern linking exciton density and temperature.

From Science Daily

"Observing an insulating phase that melts into a superfluid is unprecedented. This strongly suggests that the low-temperature phase is a highly unusual exciton solid."

From Science Daily

When these charges meet, they release light and form a particle called an exciton before settling into a stable electrical state.

From Science Daily

Jauregui explained that this sudden change indicated the system had shifted into the exotic exciton state.

From Science Daily