Decay time

{
  "id": "MLC-T-CHM-002895",
  "term": "Decay time",
  "field": "Chemistry",
  "definition": "The characteristic duration over which the intensity or concentration of a species, or the amplitude of a signal, decreases to a specified fraction of its initial value. This period is often associated with exponential decay processes, such as the relaxation of excited states or the disappearance of transient intermediates. It is frequently quantified as the time required for the quantity to fall to 1/e (approximately 36.8%) of its original value.",
  "synonyms": [
    "time of deactivation"
  ],
  "subject": "Physical and Biophysical Chemistry",
  "see_also": [
    "order of reaction"
  ],
  "references": [
    "PAC, 1976, 46, 71. 'Manual of Symbols and Terminology for Physicochemical Quantities and Units - Appendix II. Definitions, Terminology and Symbols in Colloid and Surface Chemistry. Part II: Heterogeneous Catalysis' on page 83 (https://doi.org/10.1351/pac197646010071)"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/chemistry/decay-time/"
}