Talk:Photoluminescence

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Difference between this and photoexcitation?[edit]

"This is one of many forms of luminescence (light emission) and is distinguished by photoexcitation (excitation by photons), hence the prefix photo-." They both have the prefix photo, indicating photons. They both involve absorption of photons by electrons. The only difference I see stated here is that photoluminesence is followed by re-emission of a photon. However, due to finite excited lifetimes, it will be re-emitted in both cases. Thus I do not see a distinction between the two. Zylorian (talk) 18:20, 19 April 2010 (UTC)[reply]

Actually, just realized that the distinction comes from where the energy goes afterwards. One example is that of photodiodes where the excited electrons spend their energy elsewhere, e.g. charging a battery; that would be photoexcitation. In photoluminesence, at least some of the energy specifically goes towards photon(s). Zylorian (talk) 18:32, 19 April 2010 (UTC)[reply]