photon

American  

[foh-ton] / ˈfoʊ tɒn /

noun

1. 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. γ

---

photon British  

/ ˈfəʊtɒn /

noun

1. 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

---

photon Scientific  

/ fō′tŏn′ /

1. 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.

2. See Note at electromagnetic radiation See Table at subatomic particle

---

photon Cultural  

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

---

Etymology

Origin of photon

First recorded in 1900–05; phot- + -on ¹

Example Sentences

One of the most promising approaches is quantum cryptography, which uses individual photons to generate encryption keys.

From Science Daily

Traditional lasers work by controlling photons, which are individual particles of light.

From Science Daily

Solar cells produce electricity when photons from sunlight hit a semiconductor and transfer energy to electrons, setting them in motion and creating an electric current.

From Science Daily

However, there are key differences: qubits, as they are better known, are generally created by manipulating and measuring particles such as photons, electrons, or trapped ions.

From Barron's

They found that standard methods for producing entangled photons can contain previously unseen topological structures.

From Science Daily