synchrotron radiation

noun

: radiation emitted by high-energy charged relativistic particles (such as electrons) when they are accelerated by a magnetic field (as in a nebula)

Examples of synchrotron radiation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Cosmic Cartography Scientists typically find cosmic magnetic fields by studying synchrotron radiation — radio emissions produced as a magnetic field bends the path of electrons traveling close to the speed of light. Quanta Magazine, 6 Feb. 2024 Rather than revealing shock waves and hot gas, the JWST images show features arising from the Crab's dust and its synchrotron radiation. Phil Plait, Scientific American, 10 Nov. 2023 The synchrotron radiation imaging was detailed enough that the species that the trilobite had been eating could be identified. John Timmer, Ars Technica, 27 Sep. 2023 Editor’s Note: Yusef-Zadeh explains that these long, vertical filaments turned out to be made of synchrotron radiation, which is produced by particles moving at nearly the speed of light through a magnetic field. Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 22 June 2023 The ions gyrate around the SMBH magnetic field lines, producing synchrotron radiation at many wavelengths. science.org, 25 Apr. 2023 Those scientists used synchrotron radiation to zap the samples, causing each element to release a unique X-ray signature that could be detected to identify the sample's composition. Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 25 Apr. 2023 Skin of the teeth Using X-ray tomographic microscopy with laser-like synchrotron radiation, a technique that reveals the internal structure and composition of fossils, Donoghue and his team were able to analyze early conodonts to reveal how their tooth-like spurs evolved. Matt Kaplan, Scientific American, 16 Oct. 2013 Back in 2008, European scientists used synchrotron radiation to reconstruct the hidden portrait of a peasant woman painted by Van Gogh. Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 18 July 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'synchrotron radiation.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

from its having been first observed in a synchrotron

First Known Use

1956, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of synchrotron radiation was in 1956

Dictionary Entries Near synchrotron radiation

Cite this Entry

“Synchrotron radiation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/synchrotron%20radiation. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on synchrotron radiation

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!