luminescence
/,lu:mi'nesns/
Definition
Noun: 1. The emission of light by a substance not resulting from heat: Luminescence is a type of cold light, produced by processes other than high temperature (incandescence). It occurs when a material absorbs energy and then re-emits that energy as visible light. 2. The light so produced: The visible glow itself, often at low temperatures.
Usage
- Luminescence is a scientific term used to describe various natural and artificial phenomena involving "cold light."
- It is often modified by a preceding word specifying the energy source that causes the light emission (e.g., , , ).
Examples
- Noun:
- The deep-sea anglerfish uses bioluminescence to attract prey. (Here, 'bioluminescence' is a specific type of luminescence.)
- Scientists studied the green luminescence of the mineral under ultraviolet light.
- The watch dial had a faint luminescence that made it readable in the dark.
Advanced Usage
- Adjective: Luminescent: Describing something that emits light via luminescence.
- The cave was filled with luminescent fungi.
- Verb: Luminesce: The action of emitting luminescent light.
- Certain chemicals luminesce when mixed together.
Variants and Related Words
- Bioluminescence (n): Luminescence produced by a living organism (e.g., fireflies, jellyfish).
- Chemiluminescence (n): Luminescence resulting from a chemical reaction.
- Photoluminescence (n): Luminescence caused by the absorption of light (e.g., fluorescence, phosphorescence).
- Electroluminescence (n): Luminescence produced by an electric current or field.
- Phosphorescence (n): A type of photoluminescence where light emission continues for a time after the energy source is removed.
- Fluorescence (n): A type of photoluminescence where light emission stops almost immediately when the energy source is removed.
Synonyms
- Glow
- Cold light
- Phosphorescence (in specific contexts)
- Fluorescence (in specific contexts)
Antonyms
- Incandescence (light from heat)
- Darkness
Noun
-
light from nonthermal sources
-
light not due to incandescence; occurs at low temperatures
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