The cleavage of one or several bonds resulting from exposure to high-energy radiation.
The term is also often used loosely to specify the method of
irradiation ('
pulse radiolysis') used in any radiochemical reaction, not necessarily one involving bond cleavage.
Source:
PAC, 1994, 66, 1077
(Glossary of terms used in physical organic chemistry (IUPAC Recommendations 1994))
on page 1156
PAC, 1994, 66, 2513
(Nomenclature for radioanalytical chemistry (IUPAC Recommendations 1994))
on page 2524