Photolysis

photolysis

Breakdown of molecules into smaller units via absorption of light. Flash photolysis, an experimental technique developed by Manfred Eigen, Ronald George Weyford Norrish, and George Porter, studies short-lived chemical intermediates formed in many photochemical reactions. An intense, brief flash of light splits molecules into short-lived fragments, which are analyzed by spectrophotometry in a second, less intense flash.

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photolysis [fō′täl·ə·səs]

(physical chemistry)

The use of radiant energy to produce chemical changes.

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Photolysis 

the decomposition of molecules that occurs when the molecules absorb light. The decomposition products may be molecules with a smaller number of atoms, free radicals or atoms, or positive and negative ions. If the products are free radicals or atoms, the process is called photodissociation. If the products are positive and negative ions, the process is known as photoionization.