autoionization

noun

au·​to·​ionization

: a process by which an excited atom becomes ionized and goes to a lower energy state by emitting one of two or more excited electrons that together possess energy exceeding the atom's ionization energy

especially : such a process yielding an electron having an energy equivalent to that of a photon of optical wavelength compare auger effect

autoionize

" +

verb

Word History

Etymology

aut- + ionization

First Known Use

1931, in the meaning defined above

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