ˌphotolumiˈnescence Physics.
† Also with hyphen.
[ad. G. photoluminescenz (E. Wiedemann 1888, in Ann. d. Physik und Chem. XXXIV. 447): see photo- 1 and luminescence.]
Luminescence caused by visible light or by infra-red or ultraviolet radiation.
| 1889 tr. E. Wiedemann in Phil. Mag. XXVIII. 151 According to the mode of excitation I distinguish Photo-, Electro-, Chemi-, and Tribo-luminescence. In particular, photo-luminescence, including fluorescence and a number of cases of phosphorescence, is defined as those phenomena in which the incident light excites vibrations within the molecule of a body which produce directly an emission of light. 1913 H. S. Allen Photo-Electricity xi. 147 By means of this hypothesis [sc. of light quanta] Einstein sought to explain such phenomena as the photo-electric effect, the ionisation of gases by ultra-violet light, photo-luminescence, and the theory of specific heat. 1930 Times Lit. Suppl. 6 Mar. 195/2 A masterly account..including the theory of atomic and molecular structure and spectra, and photoluminescence. 1968 McGraw-Hill Yearbk. Sci. & Technol. 345/1 Little effort has been put into using semiconductors in powder phosphor applications for photoluminescence and cathodoluminescence, because efficient powder phosphors are already available to cover the entire visible spectrum. |
Hence ˌphotolumiˈnescent a.
| 1909 in Cent. Dict. Suppl. 1958 Sci. News XLVII. 14 The difference between photoluminescent materials, e.g., those used in fluorescent lamps, and most electroluminescent phosphors is thus primarily a difference in the mode of electron excitation. 1968 H. T. Minden in S. L. Marshall Laser Technol. & Applic. v. 102 Before describing the GaAs injection electroluminescent spectra, it is instructive to study the more conventional photoluminescent spectrum. |