gamma ray

3 definitions found

gamma ray - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Gamma ray \Gam"ma ray\ n. (Physics)
     A very penetrating electromagnetic ray not appreciably
     deflected by a magnetic or electric field, emitted by
     radioactive substances. Gamma rays are photons of
     electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength shorter than
     that of X-rays, (i. e. shorter than 0.1 nanometer) and are
     correspondingly more penetrating than X-rays. In addition to
     being given off in certain types of radioactive decay, they
     may be found in cosmic radiation, though they are largely
     absorbed by the earth's atmosphere. Gamma-ray detectors
     orbited above the atmosphere have found bursts of gamma
     radiation, in some cases associated with visually observed
     supernova explosions, but in most cases from unidentified
     sources.
     [Webster 1913 Suppl. +PJC]

gamma ray - WordNet (r) 2.1 (2005) :

  gamma ray
      n 1: electromagnetic radiation emitted during radioactive decay
           and having an extremely short wavelength [syn: gamma radiation
           , gamma ray]

gamma ray - Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0 :

  46 Moby Thesaurus words for "gamma ray":
     Becquerel ray, Grenz ray, Roentgen ray, X radiation, X ray,
     actinic ray, actinism, alpha radiation, alpha ray, anode ray,
     atomic beam, atomic ray, beam, beam of light, beta radiation,
     beta ray, canal ray, cathode ray, cosmic radiation, cosmic ray,
     cosmic ray bombardment, electron emission, gamma radiation, gleam,
     infrared ray, infraroentgen ray, invisible radiation, leam,
     nuclear rays, patch, pencil, photon, positive ray, radiation,
     radiorays, ray, ray of light, ribbon, ribbon of light, solar rays,
     streak, stream, stream of light, streamer, ultraviolet ray,
     violet ray