Deexcitation (/diːɛksaɪˈteɪʃən/) is a term used in physics to describe the process of an excited atom or molecule returning to its ground state by releasing energy in the form of radiation. The word is spelled with a "de" prefix indicating reversal or undoing, followed by "excitation," which refers to the energy absorbed by the atom or molecule. The IPA phonetic transcription shows that the stress is on the second syllable, and the "x" in "excitation" is pronounced as a "ks" sound.
Deexcitation refers to the process or phenomenon in which an excited or higher energy state of an atom, nucleus, or other quantum system transitions or returns to a lower energy state. This can occur through various mechanisms and is often accompanied by the emission of energy in the form of photons (light) or other particles.
In the context of atoms, deexcitation commonly involves the relaxation of electrons from higher energy levels to lower energy levels, typically within an atom's electronic shell. This process can occur spontaneously or be induced by external factors such as collisions with other particles or interaction with electromagnetic radiation.
In nuclear physics, deexcitation involves the decay of an excited nucleus, which can happen through various decay modes such as gamma decay, alpha decay, or beta decay. During deexcitation, excess energy carried by the excited state is released, usually in the form of gamma radiation.
Deexcitation plays a crucial role in understanding the behavior, stability, and properties of atomic and nuclear systems. It is central to areas such as spectroscopy, where the measurement and analysis of emitted radiation during deexcitation provide valuable information about the energy states, composition, and dynamics of matter.
Overall, deexcitation is the process by which a system or particle transitions from a higher energy state to a lower energy state, releasing excess energy in the process.
The word "deexcitation" is derived from the combination of the Latin prefix "de-" meaning "down" or "remove" and the noun "excitation".
The noun "excitation" comes from the Latin verb "excitare", which means "to rouse, awaken, or excite". It refers to the state of being stimulated, activated, or energized.
When the prefix "de-" is added to the word "excitation", it changes the meaning to indicate a reversal or removal of the state of excitation. In scientific contexts, particularly in physics or chemistry, "deexcitation" often refers to the process of an excited atom or nucleus returning to its lower energy state by emitting photons or other particles.
Therefore, the etymology of the word "deexcitation" suggests a reversal or removal of excitability or stimulation.