Valaistusaineet

Valaistusaineet, also known as luminescent materials, are substances that emit light through a process called luminescence. This light emission is distinct from incandescence, which is light produced by heat. Luminescence can be triggered by various forms of energy input, such as ultraviolet light, X-rays, electric current, or chemical reactions. The phenomenon involves the excitation of electrons within the material to higher energy levels. When these electrons return to their ground state, they release energy in the form of photons, which we perceive as light.

There are several types of luminescence, categorized by the energy source that initiates the light emission. Photoluminescence is the most common, where light is absorbed and then re-emitted. This includes fluorescence and phosphorescence. Fluorescence is a rapid emission of light that ceases almost immediately after the excitation source is removed. Phosphorescence, on the other hand, involves a delayed emission of light, allowing the material to glow in the dark for a period after exposure to light. Electroluminescence is light produced when an electric current passes through a material, a principle used in LEDs and OLEDs. Chemiluminescence occurs during a chemical reaction, and bioluminescence is a type of chemiluminescence produced by living organisms.

Valaistusaineet have a wide range of applications. They are used in fluorescent lamps, televisions, computer monitors, security markings, glow-in-the-dark products, and various scientific and medical imaging techniques. The specific properties of a valaistusaine, such as its emission color and duration, depend on its chemical composition and structure. Researchers continue to develop new valaistusaineet with improved efficiency and novel properties for emerging technologies.