Photoelectron Spectroscopy (PES)

Definition

Photoelectron Spectroscopy (PES) is a technique used to determine the energy levels of electrons in atoms or molecules. It involves shining light onto a sample and measuring the kinetic energy of the ejected electrons.

Related terms

Spectroscopy:

This is a broader term for techniques that use light to investigate matter. PES is one type of spectroscopy.

Photon:

A photon is a particle representing a quantum of light or other electromagnetic radiation. In our analogy, this would be represented by the cue ball.

Kinetic Energy:

This refers to the energy an object possesses due to its motion. In PES, we measure the kinetic energy of ejected electrons.