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luminescence

   Also found in: Medical, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia, Hutchinson 0.03 sec.
lu·mi·nes·cence  (lm-nsns)
n.
1. The emission of light that does not derive energy from the temperature of the emitting body, as in phosphorescence, fluorescence, and bioluminescence. Luminescence is caused by chemical, biochemical, or crystallographic changes, the motions of subatomic particles, or radiation-induced excitation of an atomic system.
2. The light so emitted.

luminescence [ˌluːmɪˈnɛsəns]
n
(Physics / General Physics) Physics
a.  the emission of light at low temperatures by any process other than incandescence, such as phosphorescence or chemiluminescence
b.  the light emitted by such a process
[from Latin lūmen light]
luminescent  adj

luminescence  (lm-nsns)
1. The emission of light as a result of the excitation of atoms by energy other than heat. Bioluminescence, fluorescence, and phosphorescence are examples of luminescence that can be produced by biological or chemical processes.
2. The light produced in this way.
ThesaurusLegend:  Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
Noun1.luminescenceluminescence - light not due to incandescence; occurs at low temperatures
light, visible light, visible radiation - (physics) electromagnetic radiation that can produce a visual sensation; "the light was filtered through a soft glass window"
bioluminescence - luminescence produced by physiological processes (as in the firefly)
chemiluminescence - luminescence resulting from a chemical reaction as the oxidation of luciferin in fireflies
2.luminescence - light from nonthermal sources
brightness level, luminance, luminosity, luminousness, brightness, light - the quality of being luminous; emitting or reflecting light; "its luminosity is measured relative to that of our sun"
Translations
luminescence [ˌluːmɪˈnesns] Nluminescencia f
luminescence
nLumineszenz f (spec), → Leuchten nt


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? Mentioned in ? References in periodicals archive
 
Its luminescence lifetime is about 20,000 hours (when used in "power mode" at an irradiation distance of 10mm) which is about six to ten times longer than a standard lamp type.
Oversized, double-parted, insulated glass windows give expansive rooms a bright luminescence, allowing light to playfully explore the contours of gleaming hardwood floors.
This phenomenon, which gives certain jellyfish their flickering luminescence and is characteristic of more than 90 percent of deep-sea creatures, is called biofluorescence.
 
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