luminescence

1 light not due to incandescence; occurs at low temperatures

2 light from nonthermal sources [syn: glow]

English

Noun

1. In the context of "physics": Any emission of light that cannot be attributed merely to the temperature of the emitting body.

Derived terms

• bioluminescence
• cathodoluminescence
• chemoluminescence
• crystalloluminescence
• electroluminescence
• photoluminescence
• radioluminescence / roentgenoluminescence
• radiophotoluminescence
• sonoluminescence
• thermoluminescence

Related terms

• luminesce
• luminescent

Translations

• Finnish: luminesenssi
• French: luminescence

See also

• fluorescence
• phosphorescence

Luminescence is also the title of an album by singer Anggun.

Luminescence is light not generated by high temperatures alone. It is different from incandescence, in that it usually occurs at low temperatures and is thus a form of cold body radiation. It can be caused by, for example, chemical reactions, electrical energy, subatomic motions, or stress on a crystal. The following kinds of luminescence are known:

• Chemoluminescence
  • Bioluminescence
• Crystalloluminescence
• Electroluminescence
  • Cathodoluminescence
• Mechanoluminescence
  • Triboluminescence
  • Fractoluminescence
  • Piezoluminescence
• Photoluminescence
  • Phosphorescence
  • Fluorescence
• Radioluminescence
• Sonoluminescence
• Thermoluminescence

Historically, radioactivity was first thought of as a form of "radioluminescence", although it is today considered to be separate since it involves more than electromagnetic radiation.

The process of coating dials, hands, scales and signs on, particularly, aviation and navigational instruments and markings with luminescent materials is known as luminising.

External links

• Luminescence on Scienceworld
• Fluorophores.org The database of luminescent dyes

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