ScienceJuly 13, 2026
photon
/ˈfoʊtɒn/
Definition
A fundamental quantum particle representing a discrete, individual unit of light or electromagnetic radiation.
Etymology
Derived from the Greek word 'phōs' (meaning light) with the suffix '-on,' which was appended in 1926 to denote a subatomic particle, modeled after terms like 'electron' and 'proton'.
In the news
The article uses the term to describe the dual nature of light, explaining that laser pulses used in the experiment behave as both continuous waves and individual streams of photons.
Beyond Heisenberg: Scientists Discover a New “Space-Time Limit” in Quantum Physics
Read the full article ↗SciTechDaily