Luminescence

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Luminescence

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Light emission by a process in which kinetic heat energy is not essential for the mechanism of excitation. </dd>
Electroluminescence is luminescence from electrical discharges - such as sparks or arcs. Excitation in these cases results mostly from electron or ion collision by which the kinetic energy of electrons or ions, accelerated in an electric field, is given up to the atoms or molecules of the gas present and causes light emission. Chemiluminescence results when energy, set free in a chemical reaction, is converted to light energy. The light from many chemical reactions and from many flames is of this type. Photoluminescence, or fluorescence, results from excitation by absorption of light. The term phosphorescence is usually applied to luminescence which continues after excitation by one of the above methods has ceased. Compare incandescence. [[/a>|/a> ]]

References

This article is based on NASA's Dictionary of Technical Terms for Aerospace Use