Photoluminescence

Photoluminescence (pronunciation: /ˌfoʊtoʊˌluːmɪˈnɛsəns/) is a process in which a substance absorbs photons and then re-emits them. Most photoluminescent events, including those materials known as phosphors, occur relatively slowly after the absorption of a photon, on timescales longer than a nanosecond. However, in some cases, the process can be faster and even instantaneous.

Etymology

The term "photoluminescence" is derived from the Greek words "photo-", meaning light, and "luminescence", meaning to emit light. It was first used in the late 19th century to describe the phenomenon of light emission from a material after the absorption of photons.

Process

Photoluminescence is a type of luminescence, which is a process that occurs when a substance emits light without being heated. This can occur through various processes, including fluorescence, phosphorescence, and chemiluminescence. In the case of photoluminescence, the substance absorbs photons, which excite the electrons in the substance to a higher energy state. When the electrons return to their ground state, they emit light.

Applications

Photoluminescence is used in a wide range of applications, including lighting, display technology, and biological imaging. It is also used in spectroscopy to study the properties of materials, and in quantum computing and quantum communication.

Related Terms

Fluorescence: A type of photoluminescence where the light is emitted almost immediately after the absorption of photons.
Phosphorescence: A type of photoluminescence where the light is emitted after a delay following the absorption of photons.
Chemiluminescence: A type of luminescence where light is emitted as a result of a chemical reaction.
Spectroscopy: The study of the interaction between matter and electromagnetic radiation.

External links

Medical encyclopedia article on Photoluminescence
Wikipedia's article - Photoluminescence

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Photoluminescence