photoionization

American  

[foh-toh-ahy-uh-nuh-zey-shuhn] / ˌfoʊ toʊˌaɪ ə nəˈzeɪ ʃən /

noun

Physics.

1. the phenomenon in which the absorption of electromagnetic radiation by an atom in a gas induces the atom to emit a bound electron and thereby become ionized.

---

Etymology

Origin of photoionization

First recorded in 1910–15; photo- + ionization ( def. )