gamma ray

American  

noun

Physics.

1. a photon of penetrating electromagnetic radiation gamma radiation emitted from an atomic nucleus.

2. a photon emitted by an electron as a result of internal conversion.

3. electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths shorter than approximately one tenth of a nanometer.

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gamma ray Scientific  

1. A stream of high-energy electromagnetic radiation given off by an atomic nucleus undergoing radioactive decay. Because the wavelengths of gamma rays are shorter than those of x-rays, gamma rays have greater energy and penetrating power than x-rays. Gamma rays are emitted by pulsars, quasars, and radio galaxies but cannot penetrate the Earth's atmosphere.

2. See more at radioactive decay

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Etymology

Origin of gamma ray

First recorded in 1900–05

Example Sentences

The newly formed CZT, a semiconductor, can detect tiny photon particles in X-rays and gamma rays with incredible precision – like a highly specialised version of the light-sensing, silicon-based image sensor in your smartphone camera.

From BBC

However, theory suggests that when two WIMPs collide, they annihilate each other and release energetic particles, including gamma ray photons.

From Science Daily

LHAASO's hybrid detector array enables both the detection of high-energy gamma rays from cosmic accelerators and precise measurements of the cosmic rays that reach near-Earth space.

From Science Daily

The simulations also predict that these magnetic processes produce bursts of gamma rays during black hole formation.

From Science Daily

When applied to cosmic scales, this suggests that plasma instabilities alone are too weak to account for the missing gamma rays.

From Science Daily