phosphorescence

Definition of Phosphorescence in English :

1. phosphorescence

a fluorescence that persists after the bombarding radiation has ceased

WordNet Lexical Database for English. Princeton University. 2010.

Phosphorescence

noun

1. physics

a.

a fluorescence that persists after the bombarding radiation producing it has stopped

b.

a fluorescence for which the average lifetime of the excited atoms is greater than 10–8 seconds

2.

the light emitted in phosphorescence

3.

the emission of light during a chemical reaction, such as bioluminescence, in which insufficient heat is evolved to cause fluorescence

Compare fluorescence

noun

1.

a.

the condition or property of a substance of giving off a lingering emission of light after exposure to radiant energy, as light or X-rays

b.

the light thus given off

2.

a continuing luminescence without noticeable heat, as from phosphorus when it is slowly oxidized

n.

1. Persistent emission of light following exposure to and removal of incident radiation.

2. Emission of light without appreciable heat, as from chemiluminescence of phosphorus or bioluminescence of living organisms.