Luminophore
A luminophore ( Latin lumen 'light', ancient Greek φορός phorós 'carrying') is a substance that emits light after it has previously been stimulated with shorter-wave light, ionizing radiation or chemically. The phenomenon is based on phosphorescence , fluorescence or chemiluminescence .
There are many fields of application for luminophores that show fluorescence , e.g. B. in fluorescent tubes or for medical purposes. Luminophores that remain afterglow for a long time due to phosphorescence are used, among other things, in the manufacture of safety signs (e.g. "escape route"), dials and decorations.
In the past, permanently luminous mixtures of radioactive substances and fluorescent luminophores were often used in clocks or display devices in aircraft . Due to the associated health hazards, these are rarely found today.
A chemical compound such as B. Luminol or luciferin is a luminophore if it emits radiation in the visible range during a certain reaction. Most of the time it is an oxidation with oxygen or hydrogen peroxide , with which the luminophore reacts to form an excited product. This can then emit light. In this case one also speaks of chemiluminescence .
Individual evidence
- ↑ S. Albrecht, H. Brandl, W. Adam: Chemiluminescence reactions. In: Chemistry in Our Time. 24th year 1990, No. 5, p. 230.