noun
- The process by which a photon of light energy raises an electron from a lower energy state to a higher energy state in an atom or molecule.
Usage: technical; physics; chemistry
Examples
- Photoexcitation of electrons in a semiconductor is the basis for solar cell operation.
- The laser's ultraviolet light caused photoexcitation of the dye molecules.
- Photoexcitation can lead to fluorescence when the excited electron returns to its ground state.
- In photosynthesis, photoexcitation of chlorophyll molecules initiates the light-dependent reactions.
- The efficiency of photoexcitation depends on the wavelength of the incident light.