You must log in to continue.

Photoluminescence

Last revised by Kanchanok Prasittimet on 15 Mar 2025

Photoluminescence is a type of luminescence in which energy source for material to absorb, store and convert to light are electromagnetic radiation. Photoluminescent materials have important applications in radiology.

Types

Fluorescence refers to the near instantaneous emission of light following photon absorption. It typically occurs over a timescale of 10-10-10-7 seconds.

Examples of fluorescence include intensifying screens in screen-film radiography.

Phosphorescence refers to the delayed emission of light following photon absorption, typically occurring over a timescale of 10⁻⁶ to 10 seconds. This phenomenon arises when an excited electron becomes temporarily trapped in an electron trap before eventually transitioning back to the valence band. These electron traps are created by incorporating impurities or additional elements into the material, altering its electronic structure to enable delayed luminescence.

Examples of phosphorescence include photostimulated luminescence (PSL) in computed radiography, and thermoluminescent dosimetry (TLD) in radiation dose monitoring.

:

Updating… Please wait.

 Unable to process the form. Check for errors and try again.

 Thank you for updating your details.