phosphor

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phosphor

A scientist examines a glowing phosphor under ultraviolet light.

Definition

Noun: 1. A synthetic substance that exhibits luminescence (either fluorescence or phosphorescence). It is used industrially, most notably as a coating on the screens of cathode-ray tubes (like those in older televisions and computer monitors), where it converts the energy of electron beams into visible light.

Usage Examples
  • The phosphor coating on the inside of the old TV screen glowed green when the electron beam struck it.
  • Different colors on a CRT display are produced by using red, green, and blue phosphors.
  • Scientists developed a new, more efficient phosphor for use in certain types of lighting.
Advanced Usage
  • Phosphor persistence: Refers to the length of time a phosphor continues to glow after being excited. This property was a key factor in early radar screens and can cause "ghosting" or smearing in fast-moving images on CRT displays.
  • Phosphor burn-in: A permanent discoloration or ghost image on a CRT screen caused by the prolonged display of a static image, which degrades the phosphor coating in that area.
Variants and Related Words
  • Phosphorescence (n): The property of a substance to emit light after the excitation source has been removed, often with a longer afterglow than fluorescence.
  • Fluorescence (n): The property of a substance to emit light while it is being excited by an external source; the light emission stops almost immediately when the excitation stops.
  • Luminescent (adj): Describing a substance that emits light as a result of a chemical reaction, electrical energy, or other non-thermal process. Phosphors are a type of luminescent material.
Synonyms
  • Luminophore
  • Luminescent material
Related Phrases and Compounds
  • Phosphor screen: The surface coated with phosphor, such as in a cathode-ray tube.
  • Phosphor dot triad: A group of three tiny phosphor dots (red, green, blue) that make up a single pixel on a color CRT screen.
phosphor

A scientist examines a glowing phosphor under ultraviolet light.

Noun
  1. a synthetic substance that is fluorescent or phosphorescent; used to coat the screens of cathode ray tubes