Characteristic radiation

Characteristic radiation is created when an orbital electron jumps from one orbit to another with lower energy. This form of radiation has a discrete energy that is characteristic of the element in which it arises.

In heavy atoms, emission of characteristic radiation is dominant, while in light atoms the Auger effect is more common.

Related concepts

• bremsstrahlung
• compton effect
• electromagnetic radiation
• energy (photon)
• frequency
• pair production
• photoelectric effect
• photon
• scattering
• speed of light
• wavelength
• X-radiation