photofission

[ foh-tuh-fish-uh n, foh-tuh-fish- ]
/ ˌfoʊ təˈfɪʃ ən, ˈfoʊ təˌfɪʃ- /

noun Physics.

nuclear fission induced by the absorption of a high-energy photon.

Origin of photofission

First recorded in 1935–40; photo- + fission