Franck-Condon principle

noun

Franck-Con·​don principle

ˈfraŋkˈkändən-,

-räŋ-

: a principle in spectroscopy: the intensities of molecular spectral bands due to electronic transitions are consistent with the assumption that the relatively large mass of the atomic nuclei in the molecule prevents appreciable change in their configuration during such transitions

Word History

Etymology

after James Franck †1964 American physicist born in Germany and Edward U. Condon, born 1902 American physicist

First Known Use

1928, in the meaning defined above

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