photon

[foh-ton] /ˈfoʊ tɒn/

noun

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. Symbol: γ.

Also called light quantum.

Origin

1900-05; phot- + -on¹

Examples from the web for photons

The state of one of these photons was inextricably linked with that of the other through a process known as quantum entanglement.
Light itself is made up of particles called photons.
The electrons and photons used for data processing are certainly part of their realm.
And larger pixels capture more photons-something that's especially useful when lighting conditions are poor.
These are tiny particles that have a crystal structure which influences the flow of photons, the particles of light.
Incoming photons excite the atoms in the material, and make them spit out more identical photons.
When sunlight hits a raindrop, some photons glance off the surface.
Eyes collect photons of certain wavelengths, transduce them into electrical signals, and send them to the brain.
Most big projects don't use photovoltaic panels, which convert photons directly into electrons, either.
New method pings photons without destroying their quantum state.

British Dictionary definitions for photons

photon

/ˈfəʊtɒn/

noun

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

Word Origin and History for photons

photon

"unit of electromagnetic radiation," 1926 in modern sense, from photo- "light" + -on "unit."

photons in Medicine

photon pho·ton (fō'tŏn')
n.
The quantum of electromagnetic energy, generally regarded as a discrete particle having zero mass, no electric charge, and an indefinitely long lifetime.

pho·ton'ic adj.

photons in Science

photon

(fō'tŏn')
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. See Note at electromagnetic radiation. See Table at subatomic particle.

photons in Culture

photon [(foh-ton)]

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