A pronounced contribution to radiation (3)
I believe the answer is:
ray
'radiation' is the definition.
(ray is a kind of radiation)
I can't explain the remainder of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for ray that I've seen before include "Beam; man's name" , "Beam of light or flat fish" , "A little light" , "Broad flat fish; beam" , "Second note for the flat fish" .)