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.

Noun

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