Electron beams reportedly destroy recording on tape (5)
I believe the answer is:
erase
'destroy recording on tape' is the definition.
'erase' can be an answer for 'destroy' (I've seen this in another clue). I'm not certain of the 'recording on tape' bit.
'electron beams reportedly' is the wordplay.
'electron' becomes 'e' (abbreviation in physics).
'beams reportedly' becomes 'rase' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'e'+'rase'='ERASE'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for erase that I've seen before include "Blank out" , "Rub out, cancel" , "To remove all trace" , "Remove permanently" , "Destroy recording on audio or video tape" .)