= Ionization
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<Ionization> creates <ions> by changing a system's <electron> number, commonly by removing an <electron> from a neutral <chemical atom> or <molecule>. The required <ionization energy> is supplied by an absorbed <photon>, an energetic collision, or work done by a sufficiently strong <electric field>.
In <photoionization> of an isolated atom from a specified state, <energy> above the threshold can appear as photoelectron <kinetic energy>, with recoil included in a complete balance. In a detector gas, many ionization events produce collectable <electric charge>. Observation of charge alone does not identify the initiating process: collection efficiency, recombination and background must also be considered.
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