Auger effect

American  

[oh-zhey i-fekt] / oʊˈʒeɪ ɪˌfɛkt /

noun

Physics.

1. a nonradiative process in which an atom in an excited state undergoes a transition to a lower state by the emission of a bound electron Auger electron rather than by the emission of an x-ray.

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Auger effect British  

/ ˈaʊɡə /

noun

1. the spontaneous emission of an electron instead of a photon by an excited ion as a result of a vacancy being filled in an inner electron shell

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Etymology

Origin of Auger effect

First recorded 1930–35; named after Pierre V. Auger (1899–1993), French physicist

Example Sentences

Symptoms of Rocky Mountain spotted fever can range from fever and a rash to long-term effects that include damage to internal organs or neurological disorders.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 16, 2026

More important because of the long-term effects, participation and contribution rates also were at all-time highs.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 16, 2026

While the study made Jones more aware of the possible long-term effects of repeated head impacts, she added it would not stop her playing.

From BBC • Jun. 8, 2026

Researchers also found that beneficial gut bacteria and prebiotic fibers could help reduce some of these long-term effects and support healthier eating behaviors later in life.

From Science Daily • May 21, 2026

We do not understand the long-term effects of our course of action.

From "Cosmos" by Carl Sagan