1. the emission of electrons from a material when light shines on it
Usage: physics; technical

Examples

• Photoemission occurs when ultraviolet light strikes a metal surface.
• The photoelectric cell relies on photoemission to convert light into electrical current.
• Scientists studied photoemission to understand how electrons escape from atoms.
• Solar panels use the principle of photoemission to generate electricity.
• The intensity of photoemission depends on the frequency of the incident light.