heavy ion

noun

1. the nucleus of a heavy element.

1. The nucleus of a heavy element, such as gold. Collisions of heavy ions are induced in particle accelerators to explore the internal structure quark structure of the nuclei; recent experiments suggest that the extremely high temperatures generated by such collisions can create a short-lived plasma of quarks and gluons.
2. A charged microscopic particle that forms when ions attach to a dust mote or similar object.