Luminescence

For other uses, see Luminescence (disambiguation).
See also: Scintillation (physics)

Luminescence is the emission of optical radiation (ultraviolet, visible, or infrared) by a substance due to a process other than heating. In the broad chemical/photochemical sense, luminescence is the spontaneous emission of radiation from an electronically or vibrationally excited species that is not in thermal equilibrium with its environment.

Luminescence contrasts with incandescence, where light is produced as thermal radiation from hot matter (approximately described by black-body radiation). Because luminescent emission may be produced at relatively low temperatures, it is often described informally as cold light.

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