anti-bunching

noun

an·​ti-bunch·​ing ¦an-ˌtī-¦bən-chiŋ How to pronounce anti-bunching (audio)
¦an-tē-
physics
: the nonuniform distribution of elementary particles (such as photons or fermions) in a beam
Researchers term this unusual pattern of photon emission anti-bunching, which means there is a significant time delay between successive photons when they are emitted …United Press International, 13 Apr. 2001
What would happen if the bosons were replaced by fermionic particles such as electrons? Fermions cannot occupy the same energy state, and "antibunching"—an anticorrelation between the particle intensities measured at two detectors—would be expected in equivalent experiments.Markus Büttiker, Science, 9 Apr. 1999
compare bunching

Word History

Etymology

anti- entry 1 + bunching

First Known Use

1974, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of anti-bunching was in 1974

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

Dictionary Entries Near anti-bunching

Cite this Entry

“Anti-bunching.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anti-bunching. Accessed 24 Apr. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!