Photoluminescence is the emission of light from a material after it absorbs light.
- The process involves exciting the electrons in the material to a higher energy level, followed by their relaxation back to a lower energy level, releasing energy in the form of light.
- Photoluminescence takes place in three steps:
- Absorption: Light excites electrons in a material, pushing them to higher energy levels.
- Relaxation: Excited electrons gradually lose energy.
- Light Emission: Lost energy is emitted as light of a different wavelength (usually longer).