1565 LUMINESCENCE, FLUORESCENCE, PHOSPHORESCENCE and IRIDESCENCE –by Gautam Shah
All these words have a suffix or end escence =it expresses the beginning of an action or process, beginning to be, do, show, etc.
These words, here, also relate to heat, energy, warmth, glow and light.
Luminescence commonly mean a radiation emitted by an atom or a molecule following the absorption of energy and transition into an exited state. The word, luminous basically means giving off light. In case of the chemiluminescence, the light emission is due to a chemical reaction.
Fluorescence occurs when a material has ability to absorb light and then emit it at a longer wavelength or lower energy level. The emission takes place immediately, and is only visible as long as the light source has UV component. This is a radiative mechanism, where, electrons transit from low excited state to the normal (no excitement) state.
Phosphorescence the material can store the absorbed energy, and release it later, but also at a longer wavelength or lower energy level. The feeble glow remains, even after a light source is switched off.
Iridescence is an optical phenomenon of surfaces. It occurs when some surfaces change their perceived colour for two main reasons: Change in the angle of view or illumination. It is often caused by multiple reflections from two or more semi-transparent surfaces. Refer to Design Synopsis Blog > 522 IRIDESCENCE.
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