Glow in the Dark Terminology
Luminescent
Produces low-temperature emission of light.
Translation: It produces
light.
Phosphorescent
Persistent emission of light
following exposure to and removal of incident radiation.
Translation: It collects
light, then releases it slowly, commonly known as "glow in the dark".
Read more about
phosphoresent technologies
here.
Photoluminescent
Luminescent by exposure to
light waves.
Translation: Light hits
it and it produces light, possibly in another spectrum or color.
Fluorescent
Emits electromagnetic
radiation, especially of visible light, stimulated in a substance by the
absorption of incident radiation and persisting only as long as the
stimulating radiation is continued.
Translation: Light of one
spectrum hits it and it produces light in another spectrum.
Fluorescent paint translates
ultraviolet light into visible light. It has the real life effect of
making things look bright or "neon". Often used in laundry detergent
to "make your whites, whiter".
Chemiluminescent
Emits light as a result of a
chemical reaction at environmental temperatures.
Translation: Chemical
reaction creates light
Cyalume glow sticks, which are
the tubes filled with glowing material that last for a single night and are
popular at firework shows are a good example.
Bioluminescent
Emission of visible light by
living organisms such as the firefly and various fish, fungi, and bacteria.
(editor note: and most recently a rabbit - seriously)
Electroluminescent
Directly converts electric
energy to light by a solid phosphor subjected to an alternating electric
field.
Emits light caused by electric discharge in a gas.
Translation: a light bulb,
fluorescent tube, or neon light.
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