photonuclear

[ foh-toh-noo-klee-er, -nyoo- or, by metathesis, -kyuh-ler ]
/ ˌfoʊ toʊˈnu kli ər, -ˈnyu- or, by metathesis, -kyə lər /

adjective Physics.

of, relating to, or caused by the collision of high-energy photons with the nucleus of an atom.

Origin of photonuclear

First recorded in 1940–45; photo- + nuclear

pronunciation note for photonuclear

See nuclear.

British Dictionary definitions for photonuclear

photonuclear
/ (ˌfəʊtəʊˈnjuːklɪə) /

adjective

physics of or concerned with a nuclear reaction caused by a photon